North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: The fast of Karva Chauth is not just a one-day fast, but is a symbol of the unwavering love and trust between husband and wife. Many women observe this fast with full devotion year after year. When this fast is observed continuously for 12 or 16 years, then there is a tradition of ‘Udyapan’. This is a way of saying thanks to God and announcing the successful completion of the fast.
Why is Udyapan important?
According to the scriptures, after observing any fast for a certain time, it is considered very auspicious to perform its Udyapan duly. With this, one gets the full benefit of fasting and does not feel any fault in life. By doing Udyapan, there is happiness, prosperity in married life and the love between husband and wife becomes even deeper. This is also a way to get the blessings of Gods and Goddesses.
When to do Udyapan?
Udyapan of Karva Chauth fast is usually done after fasting for 12 or 16 years. However, if a woman is unable to continue the fast due to health reasons or due to some special circumstances (such as death of her husband, which is very rare), she can perform Udyapan even earlier. Udyapan is always done on the day of Karva Chauth.
Simple method of Karva Chauth Udyapan:
The day of Udyapan starts exactly like the normal Karva Chauth fast. After eating Sargi in the morning, Nirjala fast is observed for the whole day. Do these things before evening puja:
- Invitation to the bride: On the day of Udyapan, invite 13 married women for food.
- Preparation for puja: Worship Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Karva Mata duly.
- Get the puja done: Prepare 13 karvas (earthen pots). Place wheat or rice, 7 puris, 7 sweet buttermilk, turmeric, henna, bindi, bangle, roli, vermillion and a coin or dakshina in each karwa. Make swastika on each curve with roli.
- Preparing the plate: In a big thali, keep all the puja items (lamp, incense, flowers, sandalwood, roli, rice) along with a saree or suit, bindi, vermilion, mehendi, bangles and some money (dakshina).
- Katha and puja: Listen to the story of Karva Chauth during evening puja.
- Karva offerings and food: After offering Arghya to the Moon, offer these 13 karvas and plates to the invited brides. Feed them and seek blessings by touching their feet.
- Gift to mother-in-law: Give a saree, sweets and Dakshina to your mother-in-law and seek blessings by touching her feet.
- Breaking the fast: After completing all the rituals, break your fast by drinking water from the hands of your husband.
Materials required for Udyapan (Samagri List):
- Idol or picture of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati, Ganesh ji for worship.
- Karva Mata’s picture
- Kalash (for water)
- Lamp and oil/ghee, matchsticks
- incense, incense sticks
- a garland of flowers
- sandalwood, roli, kumkum, vermillion
- rice (uncooked)
- Copper or clay pot (for filling water)
- fruits, sweets, nuts
- story book
- Strainer (for moon sighting)
- Wheat or rice (to fill the curry)
- 13 small pots (clay)
- 7 puris and 7 sweet buttermilk (for each karwa)
- Mehndi, Bindi, Bangle, Sindoor (for 13 brides)
- Saree or suit (for invited brides and mother-in-law)
- Dakshina (money)
- Betel nut, betel nut, clove, cardamom
- Ganga water
Performing Udyapan is a sacred and auspicious act, which brings happiness and good fortune in your married life.
