NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 27, 2007: The Central Market in Lajpat Nagar on Saturday saw a curious sight–a number of women were weaving their way through the thick crowd, their hands held aloft and a look of intense concentration on their faces. They were in fact busy trying to keep the freshly applied mehndi on their hands intact. With Karva Chauth drawing closer, preparations and last-minute shopping for the festival were in full swing. For many traders across the city, meanwhile, it meant brisk business. Overnight, a number of stalls had sprung up at various places, selling diyas and ‘karvas’ or brightly decorated earthen pots that are traditionally filled with water, covered and lit with a diya on top.
For many, the stalls are a way of getting some extra income at this time of the Year. Ranjeet Kumar, for instance who was selling karvas at Sarojini Nagar, sells potatoes and onions all year round. Amar Singh, who carries bricks for a living, used the opportunity to sell tubes of mehndi at the Sarojini Nagar market. “I earn around US$15 extra this way,” said Amar. At Lajpat Nagar the street was lined with mehndi artists who, suddenly inundated with clients, worked away furiously. “Rates for applying mehndi start at US$1.25 and can go up to US$5.00 whereas for the rest of the year, we barely get US$.65 to .75,” said Sonu, a mehndi artist.
Sarees and fabric shops were rigged out in full splendor, attractive discounts displayed at shop windows. Jewelry, also ubiquitous during Karva Chauth was much in demand. Bangles and costume jewelry disappeared rapidly, special Karva Chauth sets and jewelry set with red stones being hot favorites, according to Sanjay Arya, a shopkeeper in Sarojini Nagar. The festival seems to be observed with equal zeal by housewives and working women alike. Kamini Kalsi, a housewife, talks about receiving ‘shagun’ or presents from ones mother-in-law and giving her presents in return. “We get clothes, sweets, dried fruits and other food. One of the specialties of the festival is phenia a kind of fried sweet that is eaten with milk” says Kalsi.