For decades, I've seen my mother fasting for my father on Karwa Chauth, but never felt anything strange in it. But when I got married, it was then that I realised the true meaning of Karwa Chauth.
Since I live in a nuclear family in Noida, I encountered a big problem on my wife's Karwa Chauth. The problem was that who would change the Karva (an earthen pot) with wife on the evening of Karwa Chauth?
For those who do not know about Karwa Chauth, let me tell you that before looking at the moon in the evening, women change Karva with each other. A woman attaches her right leg to the left leg of another woman and then both exchanges Karvas.
Now let's get back to my first Karwa Chauth again. Since I was very impressed with my wife's devotion toward me, I did not want to see my wife sad under any circumstances, so I told her that you do not worry, I will make all arrangements.
But when nothing came to my mind, I decided that I'll myself exchange Karva with her.
Once I decided, I did not eat anything all day. However, I thought of eating at some point, thinking my wife wouldn't know. But after listening to my conscience, I ate nothing.
So the day passed gradually and I saw the moon in the evening. Then I exchanged Karva with my wife. Just then, after looking at the moon, my wife looked at me through a sieve, and her eyes were filled with tears. She immediately embraced and hugged me and said - I love you.
Every Karwa Chauth reminds me of my wife's face at that moment. Since then, when my wife hugs and says 'I love you' on every Karwa Chauth after a full day's fast, it feels like I can take all her problems upon myself for the coming year.
So friends, keep a fast with your wife on Karwa Chauth, see how much happiness you will get. So 'Happy Karva Chauth to all of you'.
-Abhishek Mehrotra is the Digital Editor of Zee News Hindi.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own and do not reflect those of DNA.