New Delhi, Oct 24 (ANI): Married Hindu women across India observed a
one-day fast on the occasion of Karva Chaut and offered prayers for the
well-being of their husbands, the fasting ritual commencing before dawn and
ending after they worship on sighting the moon after dusk on Tuesday. The
traditions associated with this festival are that the women wake up before
dawn to begin a fast from sunrise, until the moon is sighted at night, when
they will dress up as brides in all their finery to pray for the longevity
of their husbands. The worshiping women are bedecked in jewelry and have
henna on their hands while gearing up to observe the Hindu festival, Karva
Chauth. In the national capital, Sushma Swaraj, a veteran parliamentarian
and senior leader of India's main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party as in
earlier years, hosted a collective Karva Chaut ceremony on the lawns of her
official residence. The origin of the festival is shrouded in mystery, but
one tale tells of a queen being duped by her brothers into breaking her
fast before moonrise, leading to the king's immediate death. She is given a
second chance, fasts faithfully - and he returns to life.
This annual festival is mostly celebrated by Hindu women in north India but
lately, it has gained
