Karak Chaturthi or Karwa Chauth is a festival celebrated across India with great fanfare by married Hindu women. Married women fast for the long lives of their husbands and abstain from drinking food and water for the whole day until they see the moon. This year, Karwa Chauth falls on October 24 (Sunday). On this festival, mothers-in-law offer sargi that includes new clothes, jewellery, makeup items, and other accessories to their daughters-in-law.
Let’s check out what all can be included in a traditional sargi thali:
The custom of eating sargi is of great importance for married women. Sargi is a meal prepared by mothers-in-law to bless their daughters-in-law for a happy and blissful married life.
What does a traditional sargi thali include?
The sargi thali is filled with a collection of scrumptious and appetising foods that help the married woman to keep up with the fasting throughout the day.
Fruits
Fruits form a vital part of the sargi, as they help in staying hydrated to help fast without water. They also have a higher fibre content that provides satiety and wards off hunger cravings.
Dry Fruits
Dry fruits such as cashews, almonds, raisins and pistachios are an excellent collection to include in the sargi thali. They are packed with multiple nutrients that provide energy to keep one going throughout the day.
Sweets
Starting anything new with sweets is considered auspicious. Hence, the thali can include sweets to uplift the spirits and even help complete the fast on a good, sweet, and positive note.
Light Meals
Light foods are included in the traditional Sargi thali. Mathri is a light roti, vermicelli (with milk), sabzi, and simple halwa are a few food items that women usually include. Not only do these make the individual feel fuller, but they also reduce stress on the stomach (no indigestion issues).
Tea/Juice
It is for all tea lovers as one may also include a cup of tea or a glass of fresh juice to the sargi thali. Also, some fresh fruit or vegetable juice will help in staying hydrated.
Some tips to keep in mind while preparing for Karwa Chauth.
Make sure your sargi thali has healthy food items which keep you full throughout the day without compromising on health.
Avoid including oily and fried foods as they will make you feel lethargic and dizzy.
It is important to stay hydrated and have fresh fruits, juices, vegetables, milk, buttermilk, and green tea.
Consuming coffee on this day is strictly forbidden as it will cause dehydration.
The sargi is given utmost importance as it celebrates the bond between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. This ritual blesses the daughter-in-law for a blissful marriage and a forever bond with her husband.
Karwa Chauth’s timings:
• Karwa Chauth Puja Muhurat: 05:43 PM to 6:59 PM, October 24, 2021
• Upavasa (fast) Time: 06:27 AM to 8:07 PM
• Moonrise: 8:07 PM, October, 24
• Chaturthi Tithi Begins: 03:01 AM, 24th October
• Chaturthi Tithi Ends:
• 05:43 AM on October 25, 2021
