India is a country of extremes. On the one hand, some young couples believe it’s not necessary to follow the tradition of fasting the whole day and torture oneself during Karwa Chauth, while others still feel that holding onto the tradition does make sense — it’s like any other tradition where there’s faith and belief.
Twinkle Khanna, author and wife of actor Akshay Kumar, known for speaking her mind and not mincing words, in her speech at the Vogue Women of the Year Awards 2017, where she received the ‘Vogue Opinion Maker of the Year’ award, said, “Millions of Indian women fast for their husband’s long life on Karwa Chauth, but I don’t think that our 3,033 gods are really listening. Because when the mortality charts show up, there are 147 countries above us where their men outlive our good old Indian dudes. So ladies stop because it’s clearly not working!”
Tanya Gupta
Tanya Gupta
I am not much into traditions but I have seen my grandmother and mother observe fasts for their husbands. So when I got married into a Parsi family, neither my husband nor the family wanted me to follow it. A fast for the husband — I find it quite silly! But I had done it in the first year of my marriage and then skipped it the next year, and this year I am still wondering whether to do it or not. But maybe it can be a great detox regime, if thought otherwise.”
Esha Hindocha
Although I am a Gujarati, I follow Karwa Chauth. No one has ever asked me do it, but it’s for my husband. I do a simpler version of the ritual.”
Sonal Ohri
Sonal Ohri
Embracing tradition in its entirety depends on an individual. Every year I apply mehendi on my palms and feet and wear all suhag ki nishanis like mangalsutra, maang tika, rings, necklace, glass bangles, etc. I believe this tradition intensifies the bond of love not only for the couple but the entire family — everyone celebrates with great gusto.”
Mehreen Kaur Pirzada
Mehreen Kaur Pirzada, Actress
In India, couples are not expressive enough, so Karwa Chauth is a nice way to show how much you love each other and it’s not just about tradition.”
Sasha Bajaj
Sasha Bajaj
It’s been said that if an unmarried girl observes the fast every year, she will get a great husband. So I used to do it even as a child. I am very traditional when it comes to Karwa Chauth; my mother-in-law prepares the Sargi for me as well.”
