Women fast for husbands
Seven women have fasted from before dawn to when the Moon appeared in the sky during the Indian Karwa Chauth festival, in the belief their husbands will now have a long life.
Originally a traditional and religious event celebrated by the Punjabi, it was now changing into a social event expressing spousal love, Ravinder Battu said.
The six friends, all from Northern India and living in Timaru, and one Kiwi, got together before sunrise on Thursday and shared a special meal called sargi usually prepared by their mothers-in-law.
With no biological mothers-inlaw nearby, Kiwi Kate Wright, who is on the Aoraki Multi Cultural Council, acted as honorary mother-in-law.
As the sun came up the fast started and prayers were said.
Then it was time for the group to relax and not put too much effort into household tasks.
Together they painted designs with henna on each other’s hands, did their makeup and dressed up in colourful saris. Men could also fast for their wives.
Battu who is from Punjab, has been in New Zealand for eight years and has been married 11.
Her husband, Akhil, went without lunch to support his wife.
She said though she was hungry by late afternoon, it had been fun.
‘‘In the spirit of love and care, we try to control our hunger and enjoy the feeling of sacrifice for each other.’’
Before sunset the group performed rituals and prayers then, when the Moon rose or at 8.30pm (to match the Indian timing), the women looked at the sky with their husbands and prayed for a long life for him.
Husbands then gave water to the wives to drink and break their fast.