Punjabi fasts

The following fasts are observed in the Punjab region by Hindus, which form part of Punjabi folk religion.

Karu-ay da varat

Karu-ay da varat (Gurmukhi: ਕਰੂੲੇ ਦਾ ਵਰਤ)is the Punjabi name for the fast of Karva Chauth.[1] This fast is primarily traditionally observed in the Punjab region but is also observed in parts of Uttar Pradesh[2] and Rajasthan.

Although the mode of performing the Karva Chauth fast requires the woman to see the moon through a sieve and then her husband's face through the same sieve before she eats, in the Punjabi Karu-ay da varat, traditionally a brother will collect his married sister who will keep the fast at her natal home.[1]

The women will eat sweet dishes before sunrise and will not eat throughout the day. Women also get dressed up in traditional attire and gather in the evening for hearing tales about the fast. The purpose of the fast is for the well being and longevity of husbands.[1]

Jhakrya da varat

Jhakrya da varat (Gurmukhi: ਝਕਰੀਆ ਦਾ ਵਰਤ)is a Punjabi fast observed by mothers for their sons' well being. Jharkri is a clay pot in which dry sweet dishes are kept. Mothers are required to eat something sweet in the morning and then fast all day.

Jhakrya da varat is observed four days after Karva Chauth. A mother who keeps Jhakrya da varat for the first time will distribute the sweets kept in the Jhakri to her husband's clan. She will also give her mother-in-law a Punjabi suit.

On subsequent fasts, mothers will fill the Jhakri will water and jaggery and rice. When the moon rises, an offering is made to the stars and then the sons. Other food will also be given to the sons. Thereafter, mothers will eat something sweet an open the fast.[3]

Bhoogay da varat

Bhoogay da varat (Gurmukhi: ਭੁਗੇ ਦਾ ਵਰਤ)is kept by sisters for the well being of brothers during the Punjabi month of Poh (December–January). Sisters will break their fast by eating sweet balls made of sesame, jaggery and flour[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Alop ho riha Punjabi Visra by Harkesh Singh Kehal Unistar Publications PVT Ltd ISBN 81-7142-869-X
  2. ↑ Madhusree Dutta, Neera Adarkar, Majlis Organization (Bombay), The nation, the state, and Indian identity, Popular Prakashan, 1996, ISBN 978-81-85604-09-1, ... originally was practised by women in Punjab and parts of UP, is gaining tremendous popularity ... We found women of all classes and regional communities ... all said they too were observing the Karva Chauth Vrat for their husbands' longevity. All of them had dekha-dekhi (in imitation) followed a trend which made them feel special on this one day. Husbands paid them undivided attention and showered them with gifts. The women from the bastis go to beauty parlours to have their hair set and hands decorated with mehendi
  3. 1 2 Alop ho riha Punjabi Visra by Harkesh Singh Kehal Bhag Dooja Unistar Publications PVT Ltd ISBN 978-93-5017-532-3
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