The Udyapan Puja for Karwa Chauth is performed by the person keeping the fasts. There are certain rituals and customs observed for the Udyapan, but most of the proceedings are the same as the a regular Karva Chauth Vrat.
Preparation for the Udayan Puja
The preparations start a day before the puja actually begins. The night before the fasting a feast consisting of sweets and a huge variety of food are prepared. The women doing the puja have this feast after the moon rises the day before or prior to the sunrise on the day of Karwa Chauth. The entire day they go on without having food or even a drop of water. Special considerations are given for elderly women and pregnant women and they can consume fruits and milk on this day. On the day of the fast, women are refrained from cooking for practical reason as they would be tired from fasting. Like any festival in India, it is celebrated with much gusto and in a grand manner. Women adorn themselves with beautiful sarees or their choice of ethnic dresses in auspicious colours like Red or Maroon and wear Gold jewelry in order to celebrate. They apply henna on their hands and enjoy with dance and songs.
On the day of the Udyapan, in one thaali, keep 4 puris each in 13 places. Place little halwa on top of the puris. Two sarees, blouse pieces and some money is kept on this. Cover your hands with the pallu of your saree or odni and rotate them over the offered items four times. This is then given to the mother-in-law or any woman elder to you in the family or mishrani seeking their blessings. 13 Brahmins are offered food, halwa and dakshina.
The women who observe 4 Chauth Vrats should do the following:
- Karva Chauth (month of Karthik)
- Mai Chauth (month of Magh)
- Chauth of Baisakh
- Chauth of Bhadon
- In that year, if P rushottam Maas falls, then she should do Chauth vrat of Purushottam Maas also
The women who observe 2 Chauth Vrats should do the following:
- Kawa Chauth (month of Karthik)
- Mai Chauth (month of Maagh)
Rituals and Prayers during the Puja
The puja is done amidst married women who sit in a circle holding a lighted diya placed on the thaali. The thalis is then rotated among the seated women while they sing in praise of the Goddesses. The prayer below is repeated 6 times in a row:
"Veero Kudiye Karwada,
Sarv Suhagan Karwada,
A Katti Na Ateri Naa,
Kumbh Chrakhra Feri Naa,
Gwand Pair payeen Naa,
Sui Che Dhaga Payeen Naa
Ruthda maniyen Naa,
Suthra Jagayeen Naa,
Bhain Pyari Veeran,
Chan Chade Te Pani Peena
Ve Veero Kuriye Karwara,
Ve Sarv Suhagan Karwara"
And a different prayer below is repeated on the 7th time.
"Veero Kudiye Karwada,
Sarv Suhagan Karwada,
Aye Katti Naya Teri Nee,
Kumbh Chrakhra Feri Bhee,
Aar Pair payeen Bhee,
Ruthda maniyen Bhee,
Suthra Jagayeen Bhee,
Ve Veero Kuriye Karwara,
Ve Sarv Suhagan Karwara"
These prayers are praises and request to the Goddesses to grant happiness and longevity to their husbands. The above prayer is a Punjabi version and there are so many other versions present depending on the cultural aspect of the region.
Ending the Fast
The crescendo of the fasting comes when the moon rises and it s time to end the fast. A special prayer is dedicated to the moon with an arati with the earthen lamp.
"Sir Dhadi,
Paer Kadi,
Ark Dendi,
Sarv Suhagan,
Chaubare Khadi."
The married women then looks at the moon through a sieve or at the reflection on the plate and end their fast by drinking water.