We are getting ready for the upcoming holidays — tomorrow is karva chauth a traditional Hindu festival for married women that begins with a fast. Karva chauth is celebrated especially in northern Indian states including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. I don’t believe in too many rituals myself but my daughter-in-law practices this one.
Women will have henna on their hands as part of the celebration. I will apply the henna for my daughter-in-law and for my granddaughter, who loves that.
Married women will fast all day, wishing for their husband’s health and for their long life. Usually in the evenings families will get together in groups to celebrate. They will dress up in the same way they would for a wedding party. After seeing the moon they do prayers and break the fast; dinner is a feast.
My daughter-in-law is hosting this celebration at her house. She is expecting twelve families and the meal is going to be a potluck dinner.
I will be making Getta ki sabji, a Rajasthani dish and my daughter-in-law’s favorite.
The menu will be dinner salad, samosa, of course Getta ki sabji, potatoes with cauliflower, spinach with paneer, raita, vegetable rice pulav, puries, rasmalai for dessert, and chai at the end.
The next two weeks will be very busy for me with my cooking classes and the holidays. The next holiday will be Diwali and this is my favorite (Diwali is like Christmas).
Tomorrow — karva chauth — is going to be a great day with lots of fun music and dance.
Best wishes to all.
Anuntyji, have a wondeful karva chauth. It’s not very common in Bengal (unless one if from the North residing there), and I remember my neighbours celebrating, and of course we took part as well :).
That is so interesting! I look forward to learning more from you about Hindu festivals, especially Diwali, and also hope you will post a recipe for Getta ki sabji!
BTW, I finally made your recipe for dal makhni, and it was really yummy–and so cheap to make! I kept thinking that if the economy plunges, and we all have to live on Manjula’s bean recipes, that wouldn’t be the end of the world… 🙂