…and as you would have guessed by now, yes, I do have an issue with this festival.
For one, it is completely illogical - to me atleast. Fasting, or for that matter even going to the temple or doing ‘puja’ everyday, is not going to increase anyone’s life span. Anyone who thinks they will is delusional, is what they are.
Secondly, I wouldn’t have had a problem with Karva Chauth, or the equivalent of it in other states/regions of India, if men returned the favor, on that or any other day of the year. They don’t. Have you ever heard of a man fasting for the longevity of his wife?? I haven’t either. So why should women be expected to fast for the longevity of their husbands?
I don’t buy the argument that one does Karva Chauth out of love for one’s husband, either. There are other ways of showing your husband that you him – fight less, nag him less, take occasional interest in things he likes but you don’t, let him go on a boys’ night out with his guy friends from time to time, give him his space when he needs it, try to understand his problems rather than being concerned only with what you want etc. There are many better ways to make your man feel loved, appreciated & cared for.
So listen up all you Indian men who want their wives to fast for them or take the convenient, politically correct stand of “I didn’t ask her to fast, she did it because she wanted to” (but would secretly resent their wives if they decided not to fast) : Eat right, exercise adequately, reduce the stress levels in your life & breathe in clean air – you will live for long. For if you don’t then no amount of fasting by your wife is going to save you!!
P.S.: As I was writing this post it suddenly occured to me that my sister is in the second year of marriage & I hurriedly called her up to ask if she is fasting. So relieved to hear she isn't!!
5 comments:
Ah well!! There is something that we don't agree on :) . which is healthy, i think...
but seriously, no one asks me to keep karva chauth. i do it because i like too. also i know there are other ways to show your love but there is something special about this day. i read a comment on someone's post which said that they treat it like a valentine's day. which is so cool. but like i said on my post, it's completely a personal choice.
@Mumbai Diva - I read your post & I TOTALLY respect your sentiments. It IS a personal choice I agree. I personally don't agree with the premise of the festival but I think if it makes you happy or helps you & your husband have fun/spend some good time together, it's worth it :)
isn't a bad idea to keep your wife hungry and grumpy ;)
A Bengali colleague of mine ordered kebabs and rotis from Persian darbar. I asked here about K C. She said Bengali wives show their love by eating :)
@The Knife - Only Punjus & maybe Parsis can give Bongs competition when it comes to love for food!
Eat right, exercise adequately, reduce the stress levels in your life & breathe in clean air – you will live for long. For if you don’t then no amount of fasting by your wife is going to save you!!
Ha ha that had me in splits.
You have hit the nail where it hurts most.
Totally agree with you on this. (sorry madam Mumbai Devi)
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