First, Karva Chauth Celebrations at India House
Attendees mingled with each other and took pictures, while everyone waited for moonrise.
By Payal Vineet & Vanshika Vipin
HOUSTON: Continuing the tradition of bringing Indian culture to the people living miles away from India, India House Houston, organized and celebrated a community event on the occasion of Karva Chauth on Saturday, Oct 11 at 7:30 pm. Vipin Kumar, General Manager of India House, was the key person in getting this event organized. This was the first time that a large-scale community event was held to celebrate this festival.
Karva Chauth is a one-day festival celebrated by Hindu women in North India in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. Sometimes, unmarried women observe the fast for their fiancés or desired husbands.
The delicious food catered by Kurry Walah, was served after the moon sighting.
Attendees dressed in fine clothing, jewelry, and henna arrived around 7:30 pm at India House. The evening kick started with a quick round of introductions and snacks (for the fortunate husbands who were not fasting). Activities like games and movie screening followed it. The adults got to watch their choice of movies and the kids had their cartoons being played in the kid’s activity area. Bingo with the Karva Chauth theme impressed everyone. Gift for all the games were distributed and the best mehendi (henna) was won by Deepali Chanana. This was a good way to keep everyone busy and involved while the moon took its own sweet time to show up.
Finally, the moon was sighted around 9:45 pm and everyone rushed outdoors for the fast breaking ceremony. India House has a huge open ground, which made the moon easily visible. All the ladies concluded their fast with their husbands by their side. The moon is viewed through a sieve, and the women who are fasting offer something sweet before taking the first sip of water from a bowl. This was followed by a delicious spread of dinner catered by Kurry Walah restaurant.
Vineet Kumar and Payal Vineet celebrated their first Karva Chauth as Vipin Kumar (General Manager India House ) looks on.
Mythili Pabbisetty, married for 30-years, celebrated her first Karva Chauth. “I am inspired by my north Indian friends and movies, but never got the chance to celebrate this festival. However, when I saw the ad in Indo-American News, I was sure about attending and experiencing it.” Her equally excited husband Seshagiri, who doesn’t find it strange that his perfectly South Indian wife is preparing for rituals rather alien, accompanied her.
Neena Marwah, has been celebrating Karva Chauth at home. She said, “Firstly, thank you so much for organizing the Karva Chauth festival. All our friends had a very nice time. We were all so relaxed and did not have to worry about anything, especially the food. The food was quite delicious. Bingo game and the other games were fun and we got to meet so many people who celebrate Karva Chauth.” She added, “I look forward to more events at India House and definitely next years Karva Chauth.”
Deepali and Mohit Chanana along with other attendees during the fast breaking ceremony.
In an exclusive interview with Indo-American News, Vipin Kumar said, “ I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported this first time effort of doing such an event at India House. I am very happy with the turnout. Even after the event I received calls from people who attended, to thank me for making it a fun Karva Chauth for them. I am glad that people enjoyed themselves and the ladies did not have to worry about cooking the food. I would request more people to join us next year.”
Karva Chauth is perhaps the closest to Valentine’s Day in spirit, as it kindles romance and love, with couples devoting special time for each other on this day.
For further information about India House and their upcoming activities visit www.indiahouseinc.org