NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 31, 2004: Across northern India every year, Indian women participate in a husband’s day festival right before the grand festival of lights, Deepavali. This year is no exception, and 50-year-old Nirmal Sharma says, “The day is an expression of my feelings for my husband, when I can show to him that in spite of our differences and our regular little tiffs, I love him more than anyone in the world.” The news release explains further, “Sharma marks Karva Chauth (where the rituals center around a karva or earthen pot) true to its traditions — having a bite of coconut and a sip of milk before sunrise, not touching any food or drink through the day, offering water and praying in front of the moon at night before sighting her husband’s face through a sieve and breaking her fast with puris and sweets.” Greeting card companies have cashed in on the festivities by producing cards especially for this occasion. The celebration also has a history surrounding a legend where a queen prayed to a Goddess to win back her husband who was infatuated by another woman. Even young unmarried girls have started to celebrate the day by fasting. Nidhi Gupta, a 23-year-old unmarried college student, says, “I do it just to enjoy the festivities. My mother marks it. So does my sister-in-law. It’s just fun to join them, wear my best clothes and receive gifts. After all, why should anyone mind a good reason to celebrate?”
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike