Solah Shringaar

For an Indian bride or a Hindu married woman, the importance of solah (16) shringaar is utmost. Specially on her wedding day and all subsequent such ocassions & festivals when she vows to relive all the promises of her wedded life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the solah shringaar specially on her wedding, all her friends & relatives gather together to put together the bride at her best, with all the adornments consisting of solah shringaar.

Making up the bride with all her adornments consist totally of 16 different adornments, which adorn her from tip to toe and cover every part of her body. This is how she is supposed to be dressed for all the subsequent ocassions after her marriage, specially each Karwa Chauth.

Dressing up for karwachauth, reminds every woman of her wedding day, as this is one day when she dresses up in her wedding attire (i.e. the dress which she wore for her marriage) which can be either her bridal lehenga choli or her bridal saree. The Solah Shringaar consists of the following adornments:-

• Bindi
• Sindoor
• Maangteeka
• Anjana / Kajal
• Nath / Nose Ring (attached with Gold Chain)
• Haar / Necklace / Mangalsootra
• Karn Phool / Earrings
• Henna / Mehendi (Hand & Feet)
• Choodiyan / Bangles (Maroon or Green Color)
• Baajuband / Arm Band
• Aarsi / Thumb Ring / Hath Phool (a bracelet which has rings for all 4 fingers as well as thumb)
• Keshapasharachana / Hairdo (Braid with Flowers for an accentuated look)
• Kamarband / Waist band
• Payal & Bichuas (Anklets & Toe rings in Silver Metal)
• Itar / Perfume
• Bridal Dress (Bridal Lehenga Choli / Bridal Saree or Bridal Salwar Kameez)

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Karwa Chauth Songs

Karwa Chauth Songs / Geet

As is the ritual, for every pooja their is an arti which is sung along to please the Lords. For Karwa Chauth Pooja also, ladies sing along a song for each completed ritual, be it after the pooja & while exchanging their thalis & karwas or while offering water (jal) to the 'moon'.

Karwachauth ke Geet (Songs for Karwa Chauth)

After the Pooja, the ladies (performing the pooja) exchange their thalis and karwaas (karwadas), during this time, they sing this song.




Once the moon rises, following song is sung while offering water (jal) to moon / Chandrama ko ark dete samay ka gana:-

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First Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is of great importance for married Hindu women and this festival is also a big occasion for Newly married women, who are fasting for the 1st time, i.e. their first Karwa Chauth Fast. It is by far the most important fast for her & also for her family members. All relatives & immediate family members give a lot of importance to the new bride who is observing her 1st karwa chauth fast. She is showered with lots of gifts & blessings for a happy & successful married life. Gifts pour in from her maternal (mayka) side as well as in-laws (sasural).

Sargi
As is the tradition with many Hindu families, the ladies observing fast have to wake up early morning before sun-rise and have a lavish / sumptuous meal so that all day she is able to spend without food & water. This meal is known as Sargi. The 1st sargi is prepared by the Mother-in-law and is very elaborate which includes sweets, sevaiyan and other delighful delicacies. Mother-in-law blesses her daughter-in-law who is observing karwa chauth with blessings like “Sada Suhagan Raho”, meaning “May you be blessed with a happy & blissful married life”. She also gifts her with Sarees, Jewelry & Other Suhaag items (viz.. Sindoor, Bangles, Bindi, Bichue, Payal / Anklets).

Baya / Bayna
Just like Mother-in-law gifts various items in the form of Sargi, the daughter-in-law presents her mother-in-law with Baya or Bayna. When the girl is observing her 1st karwa Chauth, this Baya or Bayna come from her Mother's Home (Mayka). The 1st bayna usually consists of salted mathris, dry-fruits, sweets and gifts for all close family members. This Bayna is a little more special when the daughter is observing her first Karva Chauth. Mothers of newly wed daughters bring gifts for all her family members. Some utensils are also included in the baya which are to be distributed amongst women who join the newly-wed on her first Karva Chauth Puja.

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