The Calgary Herald
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, November 11, 2004: When Shikha Khangura was an unmarried Sikh woman, she celebrated Karva Chauth each year for 19 years by praying for a good husband. This year holds special significance for Khangura, a 32-year old physician, because now she is married to 37-year old Gurmeet, a certified financial analyst. The news release explains, ” As an homage to their past, thousands of Hindu and Sikh women in Calgary set aside a day every year to fast and pray to show honour and respect for their husbands. On that day — which fell on Oct. 31 this year — Indian women awaken hours before sunrise to begin fasting, which continues until the appearance of the moon in the evening.” Khangura celebrated the occasion with 1,000 other women at the Hindu Society of Calgary temple. Husbands, children and other family members also attended the event. Gurmeet says, “Most of the men come here for moral support. I’m honored — the fact that she’s doing it for me and it is a sacrifice. I feel very lucky and fortunate.” Jayashree Bhat, vice-president of culture at the Society, says, “I don’t fast. I just enjoy it very much. For me, it’s definitely social. But many women prefer to do it at home.” When Khangura returns to her parent’s home in the evening, she finishes her obligations. Khangura explains, “The first time when you symbolically give your offerings to the moon, you’re thankful for everything. The next time, your husband stands in between you and the moon, and then your offerings are to him. I then eat some of the food on my tray. The rest of the food will go to my mother-in-law. Because it’s my first fast as a married woman, there are other things that I give her. I give her clothes and money, as well as gifts of appreciation for the fact that she gave me my husband.” Bhat sums it up, “Seeing young women such as Khangura celebrate Karva Chauth delights the older women because, for many of them, the day is about imparting Indian traditions to the next generation.”