Karwa Chauth: How Hindu couples honor each other on this fall holiday
Living DharmaShakti Initiative

Karwa Chauth: How Hindu couples honor each other on this fall holiday

By November 3, 2020 No Comments

Many women around my age have fond memories of 1990s classic Bollywood movies, but none reign supreme than the much beloved Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, commonly memed as DDLJ.

There are many unforgettable moments in this film but it’s the tense scene when Simran and Raj (Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan) fast for each other during Karwa Chauth that stood out to me as a child.

Throughout the day, Simran is fasting, not for the well-being of the man she is engaged to, but for Raj whom she actually loves and her father disapproves of. Raj, who also fasts, and Simran scheme throughout the day and joke with one another to distract themselves from their hunger. This pivotal moment in the film peaks when the moon appears and it’s time for Simran to break her fast, which traditionally should be done by her partner who gives her the first bite of food for the day. However, Simran pretends to faint from hunger, thus creating a distraction and allowing Raj to give her a bite of food and in turn her fasting becomes in honor of him…of them.

Like many Hindu holidays, the timing of Karwa Chauth or Karva Chauth is lunar-based, so the date changes annually in the Western calendar. It falls on the 4th day (chauth) of the month of Kartik (October-November).

Karwa Chauth is maintained primarily by Hindu families in the northerns states of India, in which wives fast for the longevity and health of their husbands.

The festival is for married women, known as suhagan, but many unmarried women celebrate in hopes of meeting their ideal life partner.

The fast is broken once darkness falls and the moon is visible. It is often the husband who gives the wife her first bite of food as a thank you for selflessly keeping his well-being in mind.

I was about five years old when my family moved to Des Moines, Iowa from the UK and Karwa Chauth was a smidge less dramatic without the magnificent DDLJ soundtrack on loop.

Karwa Chauth takes place in the fall/winter months so the idea of fasting becomes less appealing as temperatures cool. But my mom and her group of friends had their own traditions to help make the day special. They would take the day off from their respective jobs, get together for a midday movie and an afternoon cup of tea at one of the aunties’ homes. Often, our house was the central spot for all things celebratory. Sometimes group trips were made to the nail salon or nails were done at home to help make the day go by faster in hopes of forgetting that many of them hadn’t eaten since before sunrise.

In some communities, married women would buy new karwa (spherical clay pots) and decorate them with bangles, sweets, make-up items, and small clothes inside. The women would then exchange these karwa on Karwa Chauth.

Prior to Karwa Chauth, my Wadimama (paternal grandmother) would send a package for Mom containing lipstick, mehndi cones (henna), costume bangles, an ornate dupatta (scarf) and Indian sweets known as mithai.

This is commonly referred to as part of sargi and is customarily given by the mother-in-law or eldest sister/sister-in-law in the paternal house.

Sargi customarily contains kheer (vermicelli) — and had my dad’s family lived closer, they likely would have all gotten together to eat breakfast before sunrise — so over time for many families, sargi has transformed into a collection of sweets and decorative items for the daughter-in-law.

The idea of the decorative items is to revisit the beauty rituals often performed by brides so as you’re fasting, you’re also thinking about the vows you took on that day.

But no one wants to sit around in a sari all day, hungry and waiting for the moon to rise. So after school, all of us children would join our moms at the designated house with fathers joining later on after the workday was done. That’s when all of the moms would change into salwar kameezes (Indian pantsuits for women) or Indian fusion outfits to prepare for the puja as seen by the picture below of my parents in 1998.

During puja, offerings were given to the murti (deities), bhajans (devotionals) were sung, and later on games were played, such as passing a thali (tray) with sweets and diya as we all waited for the moon to appear. By this time, pizza had usually been ordered for the kids to eat as the adults wouldn’t eat til much later.

As the moon became visible, all of the parents would head outside with their puja thali (prayer trays), with items such diya (clay light), karwa (pitcher), incense, mithai (sweets), kumkum (red vermillion powder), and rice.

Many of the women also brought a decorated sieve tray with them, called a jaali, to view the moon once it rose and then to look through at their husband. There are several regional legends and cultural traditions to this part, some view the moon as a form that Lord Brahma takes that day or as a form of Lord Shiva and his son, Lord Ganesh. Some view the moon as a symbol of love and beauty so by viewing it through the sieve it allows women to pay respects by the moon by not looking at it directly, or that the filtered views of the moon signify receiving only blessings of happiness in life. Some believe that a couple enjoys a happy married life that lasts for as many holes as there are in the sieve, and some believe that by looking at your husband through the sieve, it removes all the evil effects from him. Nowadays, thanks to Etsy and Amazon, you can get decorated jaali, but they weren’t always as commonly found, so many women used their dupatta to view the moon. After this, the husbands give their wives water and something sweet to break the fast.

Role of Family and Community

Most of the Hindu families in Des Moines were away from relatives abroad, so we regularly gathered to honor annual Hindu and American holidays. The solidarity of Karwa Chauth celebrations centered around the community of support these women developed and the connections they had with their respective husbands, as for many this was their only family in the United States.

I didn’t know it at the time, but these rituals were similar to the popular narratives of what Karwa Chauth meant to married women.

In older times, it was common for married women to live with their in-laws, which could be isolating and difficult as new bonds had to be formed and trust had to develop. With technology not being what it is now, newly married women could go long stretches of time without speaking to their own family or the friends they left behind. It was therefore encouraged for friendships to form between women of the same age in the same village, so a new bride would develop her own relationships outside of her new family. Similarly, for my mom and her friends, Karwa Chauth also honored the connections they made as they became one another’s support.

In addition to the relationship between a husband and wife, there are also elements to Karwa Chauth that recognize the traditional relationship between a daughter-in-law and her in-laws, particularly her mother-in-law.

Much of the significance of Karwa Chauth recognizes the importance a married woman plays in her in-law’s home and the reciprocal relationship they develop as women in a joint family. This is why it is the mother-in-law that provides the sargi for the fast as she recognizes the sacrifice the daughter-in-law makes for the son in honor of his well-being. Likewise, the daughter-in-law honors her mother-in-law by giving her a gift consisting of mithai or the puja offerings after the ceremony is completed.

Historically, this festival was celebrated as a prayer for the long life of soldiers in the war, and by extension today refers to the long life of one’s husband.

There are many origin legends to Karwa Chauth, but my favorite is the popular tale of Queen Veervati who had seven attentive and loving brothers. On her first Karwa Chauth, the queen fasted, but the rigorous ritual of consuming not even a drop of water caused her a lot of stress. Her brothers, wishing to not see their sister suffer, tried to help by placing a mirror on a tree so that it looked like a moon rising. Thinking it was time, she prematurely broke her fast, which led to her husband dying as she began eating. At night Goddess Indrani came to visit the queen and explained that her brothers had tricked her and that she would need to repeat the fast, and only then would her husband come back to life.

Another variation of this story is that the brothers built a massive fire behind a mountain instead and tricked Queen Veervati into believing that the glow of the fire was the moon, leading the queen to break her fast prematurely and her husband’s death. In this version, the queen runs to her home to try and save her husband, but on the way she encounters Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who reveal to her the brothers’ trickery. To help, Goddess Parvati cuts her own finger to give the Queen a few drops of her healing blood, and instructs her to complete the fast in the future. Queen Veervati sprinkles Parvati’s blood on her dead husband, bringing him back to life so they can be reunited.

This story also appears in the Mahabharata, where Draupadi seeks help for Arjun and asks Lord Krishna, who reminds her of the fast kept by Goddess Parvati when she needed guidance from Lord Shiva, who in turn reminded Goddess Parvati the story of Veeravati in describing the Karwa Chauth fast. These legends are usually told on Karwa Chauth as a powerful reminder of the inner strength and resolve women have.

My first Karwa Chauth

In March 2020, I married Vijay, an amazing Tamilian man who had never seen DDLJ. And by April, I had rectified that (spoiler alert: he didn’t love it “so long,” “SRK overacts” and “I think Asha is a better singer than Lata”). But for me, this was the first time in a while that I had seen this film so I was interested to know if I still loved it and I did.

Growing up, for me there were so many things about Simran that emulated my own life: we are both Punjabi, both part of the Indian Diaspora in the United Kingdom, and we both had an interesting eyebrow situation. However, the character of Simran was a bit older than me so seeing her traveling abroad with friends and her seamless transformation from a student to an elegant young woman was inspiring.

But now, I related to the movie differently as I was a new bride and I had a new balance to shift: my American ways with the Hindu customs I grew up with. So I noticed different things when viewing the film after so long: Simran was true to herself, she was outspoken and she was challenging cultural and societal norms while forging new grounds and maintaining religious traditions.

As a new bride, November 4th will be my first Karwa Chauth and in preparation, we’ve ordered a complete puja thali with all items including a jaali. Vijay will keep the fast with me that day.

But we had a little practice back in July when we celebrated Varalakshmi Vrat (Varalakshmi observance), which is popular in many of the southern states in India, such as  Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. It’s also celebrated in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Similar to Karwa Chauth, there are messages of health, happiness, longevity, and prosperity. Though many may say that elaborate preparations are not needed, I was still asked nicely by my mother-in-law to get dressed up (I didn’t have the patience that day for a sari), as in Tamil tradition, the wife is treated like Lakshmi in that she is considered an embodiment of her and is honored with a special prayer.

Observing Varalakshmi Vrat is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalakshmis (eight different forms of Lakshmi). In this picture, you can see the kumkum (red vermillion) and the mali (sacred thread) around my wrist, but in true fusion confusion, I have it on my left wrist when it should actually be on my right for this tradition.

We listened to Aarti on Bluetooth as we stood near our home puja with our small but growing collection of murti (deities). Later that day and after the sun had set, we had food delivered and spent the day feeling blessed and in love.

As like many things right now, a critical lens is being applied to religious customs and cultural rites.

The narrative for some is that holidays like Karwa Chauth put men on a pedestal and perpetuate antiquated stereotypes about gender. But as a proud feminist and first- generation Hindu American, I find such critiques biased and simplistic.

I have always heard that Hinduism is a way of life and I have always listened to how Hinduism could be practiced, but I’ve always interpreted it’s meaning based on my experiences and the examples set by my family and community.

I have never relied on any one interpretation of a pluralistic tradition. Nor have I ever thought that in my relationship, my partner’s well-being is more important than mine.

Instead, I view Kurwa Chauth as a modern-day Valentines day with the couple honoring each other and remembering the vows they both took on their wedding day.

Though many Bollywood films like Hum Aapke Hai Koun and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (KKKG) show Karwa Chauth as a large celebration filled with family and friends.

I view my first Kurwa Chauth as being deeply personal and reflective of my own interpretations of a holiday. I am still developing my own relationship combined with the fond memories I witnessed my mom and her friends celebrating. As a new Bay Area transplant and in this covid-era, I won’t be able to get together with friends who are keeping Karwa Chauth, but maybe one day that will change. For me, Karwa Chauth is about celebrating our marital commitment and the longer we live and are together, the hope of a happy married life isn’t just reliant on me. It takes two of us.

As for my Des Moines community, many moved to warmer temperatures and resettled in different parts of the US, with many of us “kids” keeping in touch and attending each other’s weddings. My own parents left in 2004 and settled closer to my Mama (maternal uncle) in San Antonio. After 44 years of marriage, my mother still keeps Karwa Chauth, but now my dad keeps the fast with her as a sign of solidarity and, in his own way, to pray for her long and healthy life. She sends my sister-in-law sargi every year, but in a truly modern touch, includes a gift card so she can pick out her own lipstick and nail polish. It’s a good reminder that while things may change in how they are celebrated, the connections and the underlying meanings they hold stays the same.

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10/30/22Sanatana Dharma in the Movies

Hinduism is often referred to as Sanatana Dharma (the ‘eternal way’), indicating the religion’s emphasis on eternal truths that are applicable to all of humanity. Thus, it makes sense that a medley of mainstream movies could convey Hindu ideals that resonate strongly with audiences, while not actually talking directly about anything understood by the public as Hindu.

In Groundhog Day, for example, when cynical TV weatherman Phil Collins discovers he is trapped in a time loop, living the same day over and over, only to be released after transforming his character from an egocentric narcissist to a thoughtful and kindhearted philanthropist, it’s hard not to be reminded of the Hindu notion of samsara, a cycle of reincarnation from which a soul attains liberation by realizing its divine nature after lifetimes of spiritual practice. 

Or in The Matrix when Neo chooses the red pill of knowledge over the blue pill of ignorance, and is subsequently unplugged from an illusory world and cast into the truth of reality, the film seems to be conveying a foundational Vedic teaching: that we must transcend our own ignorance — a product of maya, literally meaning “illusion” in Sanskrit — to uncover our true nature. Hindu concepts appear to be further exhibited in Neo’s relationship with Morpheus, which starkly reflects that of a disciple and guru, as the latter reveals to the former the knowledge he needs in order to understand this “true nature.” As Neo’s faith in Morpheus’ words develops, so does his capacity to see past the illusion of the matrix, garnering him the ability to manipulate the laws of this false reality, similar to the Jedi and yogis described earlier.

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10/29/22Hinduism and American Thought

Hindu Americans and the Vedanta philosophy have significantly influenced notable intellectuals such as Henry  David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, J.D. Salinger, Christopher Isherwood, Aldous Huxley, Huston Smith, and Joseph Campbell just to name a few. Some feel that it started back In 1812, when Thomas Jefferson recommended to John Adams the writings of Joseph Priestley, a Unitarian minister who had published works that compared Christianity to other religions — Hinduism in particular — Adam’s interest was piqued.

Going through Priestley’s writings, Adams became riveted by Hindu thought, as he launched into a five-year exploration of Eastern philosophy. As his knowledge of Hinduism and ancient Indian civilization grew, so did his respect for it. This legacy took shape in the 1830s as Transcendentalism, a philosophical, social, and literary movement that emphasized the spiritual goodness inherent in all people despite the corruption imposed on an individual by society and its institutions. Espousing that divinity pervades all of nature and humanity, Transcendentalists believed divine experience existed in the everyday, and held progressive views on women’s rights, abolition, and education. At the heart of this movement were three of America’s most influential authors: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau.

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10/27/22The Hindu Diaspora in Afghanistan

Before becoming an Islamic state, Afghanistan was once home to a medley of religious practices, the oldest being Hinduism. A long time ago, much of Afghanistan was part of an ancient kingdom known as Gandhara, which also covered parts of northern Pakistan.Today, many of Afghanistan’s province names, though slightly altered, are clearly Sanskrit in origin, hinting at the region’s ancient past. To cite a few examples, Balkh comes from the Sanskrit Bhalika, Nangarhar from Nagarahara, and Kabul from Kubha. Though Gandhara’s earliest mention can be found in the Vedas, it is better known for its connections to the Hindu epics the Mahabharata and Ramayana. There is also the historic Asamai temple in Kabul located on a hill named after the Hindu Goddess of hope, Asha. The temple has survived numerous conflicts and attacks but it still stands. The temple is a remnant from Hindu Shahi Kings, who ruled from the Kabul Valley as far back as 850 CE. However, Hindus are indigenous but endangered minorities in Afghanistan, numbering approximately 700 out of a community that recently included over 8,000 members. Many have left for new homes, include in New York which is home to a large Afghani Hindu population.

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10/26/22Dogs and Diwali

According to the 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey, 70% of U.S. households (90.5 million homes) owned a pet as of 2022, with 69 million U.S. households having a pet dog. Recognized for their loyalty, service, companionship, and the special relationship they have with humans, Hinduism’s reverence for dogs is expansive, as they are worshiped in festivals and appreciated in connection to a number of Hindu gods and stories. Observed in Nepal, Bhutan, and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, Kukar Tihar (the 2nd day of Tihar) honors dogs as messengers that help guide spirits of the deceased across the River of Death. In the Mahabharata, Yudhisthira, his brothers, and the queen Draupadi renounced their kingdom to ascend to the heavens. However, Yudhisthira was the only one that survived along with a dog that had joined them. Yudhisthira refused to go to heaven without the dog, who turned out to be Yamaraj, the God of Death. Sarama, the “female dog of the gods,” was famously asked by Indra to retrieve a herd of cows that were stolen. When the thieves were caught, they tried to bribe Sarama but she refused and now represents those who do not wish to possess but instead find what has been lost. The symbolic import of dogs is further driven in connection with Dattatreya, as he is commonly depicted with four of them to represent the Vedas, the Yugas, the stages of sound, and the inner forces of a human being (will, faculty, hope, and desire).

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10/25/22Black Panther

In 2018, the long-running Marvel comic series Black Panther, was brought to the big screen. A more prominent scene is when M’baku, a character vying for the throne of the fictional country of Wakanda, challenges T’Challa/Black Panther, and yells, “Glory to Hanuman.” However, despite dharma as an unsaid aspect of the characters’ interactions, Black Panther relies slightly more on Hindu symbolism than philosophy. But the significance of Hanuman as a transcendent deity cannot be overlooked, especially at a time when dialogues about global migration, the right to worship, and access to natural resources are becoming more overtly racialized. The film provides more than just an entertainment escape: it reimagines a world in which the current racial and theological paradigms are challenged forcefully. With the film expected to have at least several sequels, there will be more opportunities to reference Hinduism and Hindu iconography.

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10/24/22Diwali

One of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, Diwali (dee-VAH-lee) or Deepavali (dee-PAH-va-lee) commemorates the victory of good over evil during the course of five days. The word refers to rows of diyas — or clay lamps — which are put all around homes and places of worship. The light from these lamps symbolizes the illumination within all of us, which can overcome ignorance, represented by darkness. Devotees gather in local temples, homes, or community centers, to spend time with loved ones, make positive goals, and appreciate life.

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10/23/22Dhanteras

On this day, because Diwali is a time for dana (charitable giving) and seva (selfless service), Hindus traditionally perform a deep cleaning of their homes and surroundings, as cleanliness is believed to invoke the presence and blessings of Goddess Lakshmi who, as mentioned earlier, is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Many will also make rangoli or kolum (colored patterns of flowers, powder, rice, or sand made on the floor), which are also said to invite auspiciousness. Observers thus begin Diwali by cultivating a spirit of generosity, doing things like giving money to charities, feeding the hungry, and endeavoring to help those in need.

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10/22/22The Hindu Diaspora in Bali

The spread of Hinduism to Southeast Asia established powerful Hindu kingdoms in the region, most notably the Khmer Empire that encompassed modern Cambodia and Thailand, and influential kingdoms in the Indonesia archipelago. Though Buddhism and Hinduism co-existed in the region for several centuries, Buddhism (and Islam in Indonesia) eventually replaced Hinduism as a primary religion. Today, there are approximately five million Hindus in Indonesia, primarily in Bali. As Bali is roughly 90 percent Hindu, this makes it a religious enclave in a country that contains the world’s largest Muslim population. There are also roughly 60,000 Cham Hindus in Vietnam, and smaller numbers in Thailand. Hinduism in Fiji, Malaysia, and Singapore is a much more recent phenomenon, with Hindus arriving in the 19th and early 20th centuries as indentured laborers. Today, Hindus are prominent in politics and business in all three countries, though they continue to experience discrimination as religious minorities.

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10/21/22Smithsonian/American History Exhibit - American Indian experience

In 2014, the first Smithsonian exhibition chronicling the experiences of Indian Americans, many of whom are Hindus,  in the US was unveiled at their National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. This exhibit was one of the largest ever produced by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, occupying 5,000 square feet and reaching millions of visitors. The message behind “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation,” aimed to dispel stereotypes and myths that have followed Indian immigrants since they first arrived in the U.S. in 1790. The exhibit explored the heritage, daily experiences, and the many diverse contributions that immigrants and Indian Americans have made to the United States. The exhibition at the Museum of Natural History includes historical and contemporary images and artifacts, including those that document histories of discrimination and resistance, convey daily experiences, and symbolize achievements across the professions. Music and visual artworks provide commentary on the Indian American experience and form an important component of the exhibition. In 2017, this exhibit went on the road, traveling from city to city so that all could see the impact of Indians on American culture.

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10/20/22Swami Yogananda

Paramahansa Yogananda was a Hindu monk and yogi who came to the United States in 1920 and lived here for the last 32 years of his life. He is considered to be the first major Hindu Guru to settle in the United States. When Swami Yogananda arrived in the US, he made his first speech, made to the International Congress of Religious Liberals, on “The Science of Religion,” and was enthusiastically received. It was soon after that he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (also known as Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) of India) and introduced millions of Americans to the ancient science and philosophy of meditation and Kriya yoga (path of attainment). In 1927, he was invited to the White House by President Calvin Coolidge, making Swami Yogananda the first prominent Indian and Hindu to be hosted in the White House.

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10/19/22Avatar

For those of us who are Hindu, we have noticed that some of the biggest Hollywood films produced in the last several decades have mirrored many of Hinduism's most fundamental philosophical ideas. One example is Avatar, a film named for the Sanskrit word avatāra (‘descent’), in which the protagonist, Jake Sully, enters and explores an alien world called Pandora by inhabiting the body of an indigenous 10-foot, blue-skinned being, an idea taken from Hinduism’s depictions of the various avatars of the blue god Vishnu, who are said to descend into our world for upholding dharma. Instead of aligning with the interests of the humans, who merely want to mine Pandora for the valuable mineral unobtanium, Sully fights alongside the alien humanoids native to the world, called Na’vi, who live in harmony with nature, believe all life is sacred, and that all life is connected by a divine force — teachings synonymous with Hinduism. Thus, similar to the avatars of Vishnu, Sully defends and preserves a spiritual culture by defeating those who would destroy it for materialistic pursuit. While this film doesn’t indicate in any direct way that they have anything to do with Hinduism, it’s clear they are communicating Hindu ideas that everyone relates to and understands on a profound level.

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10/18/22Swami Prabhupada

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a highly respected Vaishnava  (devotion to the god Vishnu and his incarnations avatars) scholar and monk. At the age of 70, Swami Prabhupada traveled from India to New York City to bring the Bhakti tradition, or Krishna Consciousness, to the west. In the 11 years before his passing in 1977, Srila Prabhupada translated, with elaborate commentaries, 60 volumes of Vaishnava literature; established more than 100 temples on six continents; and initiated 5,000 disciples. Today, his writings are studied in universities around the globe and are translated into nearly 100 languages. To date, ISKCON has over 400 temples,  dozens of rural communities and eco-sustainable projects, and nearly 100 vegetarian restaurants world-wide with 56 of them in the US. 

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10/17/22The Hindu Diaspora in Africa

Hinduism came in waves to Africa, with Southern Africa getting Hindu workers during the early years of British colonization, while East and West Africa experienced Hindu migration during the 20th century. Hinduism’s roughly 0.2% presence in Africa is seen as so inconsequential, most data organizations don’t even bother explicitly mentioning it in their census reports. But Hinduism is Ghana's fastest growing religion and one in which there are steady populations in both Northern and Southern African states. Durban is now home to most of South Africa’s 1.3 million Indians, making it, according to some sources, the largest Indian city outside of India, and thus a most powerful hub of Hindu practice. In the US, there are both communities of African Hindus who have migrated, as well as Black Hindus, who according to the 2019 Pew Survey, make up 2% of the Hindu population in the US.

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10/16/22Star Wars

George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, drew much of the inspiration for this major cultural phenomenon from the teachings of his mentor who was a lifelong student of Vedanta. In these films, many aspects of Hinduism are interwoven with the story. Some include Hanuman (Chewbaca and Ewoks), Shakti (force,energy), Yodha (Yoda), Brahman (infinite being). Besides the many philosophical parallels that can be highlighted between Star Wars and Hinduism, Star Wars also exhibits similarities in story structure and character roles to one of India’s famous epics, the Ramayana. Never seen the movie? Now might be the time to see how universally relatable Hindu thought can truly be.

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10/15/22Ayurveda

The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge), translation to the knowledge of life. Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest healing science, originating in 1000 BCE. Based on the five elements that comprise the universe (space, air, fire, water, and earth), they combine and permutate to create three health principles  that govern the functioning and interplay of a person’s body, mind, and consciousness. These energies are referred to as doshas in Sanskrit. Ayurveda can be used in conjunction with Western medicine and Ayurvedic schools have gained approval as educational institutions in several states.

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10/14/22OM

While it’s synonymous to meditation, and seen simply as a doorway to tranquility for yogic practitioners, the true meaning of Om is deeply embedded in Hindu philosophy.

The word Om is defined by Hindu scripture as being the original vibration of the universe, which all other vibrations are able to manifest. Within Hinduism, the meaning and connotations of Om is perceived in a variety of ways. Though heard and often written as “om,” due to the way it sounds when it is repeatedly chanted, the sacred syllable is originally and more accurately spelled as “aum.” Broken down, the three letters of A – U – M represent a number of sacred trinities such as different conditions of consciousness (waking state, dreaming state, and deep sleep state), the deities in charge of the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe ( Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), aspects of time (past, present, and future), among many others. 

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10/28/22Dr. Anandibai Joshi

Dr. Anandi Gopal Joshi is credited with being the first woman from India to study medicine in the United States. Born in Bombay in 1865, she was married at the age of ten to an older man who had been her teacher. Dr. Joshi had a child at the age of 13, but the child died when only 10 days old. She believed that with better medical care, the child would have lived, and she frequently cited this as motivation for her desire to attend medical school. Her husband encouraged her in her academic pursuits and in 1883, Joshee joined the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, now known as the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. She graduated in 1886 with her degree in medicine; her M.D. thesis focused on Hindu obstetrics. Unfortunately,  Dr. Joshi was only able to practice medicine for a few months before passing away from tuberculosis.

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10/13/22The Hindu Diaspora in Guyana

Hinduism is the religion of almost 25% of Guyana’s population, making it the country with the highest percentage of Hindus in the Western Hemisphere. But from British professional recruiting agents targeting rural and uneducated Indians, to the aggressiveness of Christian proselytization of Hindus with a promise of a better life, Hinduism has been in a steady decline for many decades with many escaping to the United States for better opportunities and to practice their religion freely. Today, over 80% of Guyanese Americans live in the Northeastern United States with heavy concentrations in New Jersey and in New York, where a “Little Guyana”  helps these immigrants stay connected to their Guyanese roots.

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10/12/22Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth or Karva Chauth (kuhr-vah-CHOATH) is a North Indian holiday in which wives fast for the longevity and health of their husbands, however, many unmarried women celebrate in hopes of meeting their ideal life partner. Typically, wives spend the day preparing gifts to exchange, and fasting until the moon is visible. It is believed that its light symbolizes love and blessings of a happy life. While there are varying legends behind this holiday’s traditions and meaning, the message of honoring the relationships women form with their family and community prevails.

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Hindu Holidays & Dharmic Days Calendar

10/11/22Hinduism and Music

As sound vibration can affect the most subtle element of creation, it is interpreted in Hindu scriptures that spiritual sound vibrations can affect the atman (soul) in a particularly potent way. Such spiritual sound vibrations are said to have the ability to awaken our original spiritual consciousness and help us remember that we are beyond the ambivalence of life, and actually originate from the Divine. As such, the main goal of many types of Hindu musical expression is to help stir us out of our spiritual slumber by evoking feelings of love and connection that help us to better perceive the presence of the Divine within all. Some of the more popular examples of musical expressions within Hinduism include shlokas (verse, or poem), mantras (sacred syllables repeated in prayer), kirtans (congregational singing of mantras), and bhajans (devotional songs). You can find musical spiritual expressions through the US in temples,  Mandirs, and community centers.

The Power of Music According to Hinduism

What is Kirtan?

10/10/22Yoga

Yoga is considered Hinduism’s gift to humanity. At its broadest, yoga, from the root word “yuj” in Sanskrit, means to unite. Most Hindu texts discuss yoga as a practice to control the senses and ultimately, the mind. The most famous is the Bhagavad Gita (dating back to 6th-3rd Century BCE), in which Krishna speaks of four types of yoga – bhakti, or devotion; jnana, or knowledge; karma, or action; and dhyana, or concentration (often referred to as raja yoga, though not all sources agree on the term) – as paths to achieve moksha (enlightenment), the ultimate goal according to Hindu understanding. According to a 2016 study,  in the United States there are an estimated 36.7 million people currently practicing yoga in the United States.

Yoga.Day

The Hindu Roots of Yoga

10/9/22Swami Vivekananda

According to Vedic cosmology, 108 is the basis of creation, representing the universe and all our existence. As the soul is encased in two types of bodies: the physical body (made of earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and the subtle body (composed of intelligence, mind and ego), Swami Viveknanda is often attributed with bringing Hindu teachings and practices — such as yoga and transcendental meditation — to Western audiences. In 1893, he was officially introduced to the United States at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where in his speech he called for religious tolerance and described Hinduism as “a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance.” The day that Swami Vivekananda delivered his speech at the Parliament of Religions is now known as ‘World Brotherhood Day.’ And his birthday, known as Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, is honored on January 12th each year. On this day he is commemorated and recognized for his contributions as a modern Hindu monk and respected guru of the Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism. In 1900, Swami Viveknanda founded the Vedanta Society in California and to date there are 36 Vedanta Society Centers in the United States.

Swami Vivekananda Influenced Countless Americans

Hindu Holidays & Dharmic Days Calendar

10/8/22108

According to Vedic cosmology, 108 is the basis of creation, representing the universe and all our existence. As the soul is encased in two types of bodies: the physical body (made of earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and the subtle body (composed of intelligence, mind and ego), 108 plays a significant role in keeping these two bodies healthily connected. Hindus believe the body holds seven chakras, or pools of energy, which begin at the bottom of the spine and go all the way down to the top of the head and it is believed there are 108 energy lines that converge to form the heart chakra. Ayurveda says there are 108 hidden spots in the body called marma points, where various tissues like muscles, veins, and ligaments meet. These are vital points of life force, and when they are out of balance, energy cannot properly flow throughout the body. Sun salutations, yogic asanas that honor the sun god Surya, are generally completed in nine rounds of 12 postures, totaling 108. Mantra meditation is usually chanted on a set of 108 beads.   In Hinduism there are 108 Upanishads, the sacred texts of wisdom from ancient sages. Additionally, in the Sanskrit alphabet, there are 54 letters. Each letter has a feminine, or Shakti, and masculine, or Shiva, quality. 54 multiplied by 2 equals 108. Ultimately, breathwork, chanting, studying scripture, and asana’s help harmonize one’s energy with the energy of the supreme spiritual source. These processes become especially effective when they are performed in connection with the number 108. Hindu scriptures strive to remind people of this divine commonality by continuously highlighting the innumerable threads connecting everything in existence. One of these threads is the number 108.

5 Things to know about 108

Here's How the Number 108 Binds Us to the Universe

10/7/22The Hindu Diaspora in Trinidad/Tobago

A decade after slavery was abolished in 1834, the British government began importing indentured labor from India to work on their estates in other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago.  From 1845 to 1917, the ships would continue to arrive, carrying over 140,000 Indians to the island, facilitating Trinidad's population growth from Indian laborers. Today, there are roughly 240,000 declared Hindus in Trinidad and Tobago, comprising about 18% of the island’s population. There are a total of about 300 temples on the island, welcoming all who wish to enter and where many beloved Hindu festivals take place. But for some, the migration journey doesn’t end as New York and Florida have seen the development of large Indo-Caribbean communities.

Hinduism beyond India: Trinidad and Tobago

10/6/22Tattoos

From ancient tribes to present-day devotees, tattoos have held a special place in Hinduism for centuries. In the Indian states of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, the Ramnaami community invoked Rama’s protection with tattoos of the name “Rama” in Sanskrit on every inch of their skin, including the tongue and inside the lips.The Mahabharata tells the story of the Pandavas that were exiled to the Kutch district of Gujarat. Today, their descendants - members of the Ribari tribe - live as their ancestors did, with women covered in tattoos that symbolize their people’s strong spirit for survival. Some Hindus consider tattoos as protective emblems,such as tattoos of Hanuman are often used to relieve physical or mental pain. People will often get tattoos of other deities to invoke their blessings. Mehndi, a plant-based temporary tattoo, is commonly done at weddings and religious ceremonies as a form of celebration of love and spirituality. While tattoos have been in Hindu communities for centuries, tattoos as symbols of honor, devotion, and even fashion are incredibly popular today. Hindus and non Hindus alike adorn themselves with Hindu emblems and tattoos that reflect Hindu teachings.

Guidelines for Commercial Use of Hindu Images

10/5/22Navaratri

Navaratri (nuhv-uh-RA-three) is a nine night celebration of the feminine divine that occurs four times a year — the spring and fall celebrations being amongst the more widely celebrated. Some traditions honor the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, while others celebrate the three goddesses (Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati) with three days dedicated to each. This is a time to recognize the role in which the loving, compassionate, and gentle — yet sometimes powerful and fierce — feminine energy plays in our lives.

Nine Things to Know About Navaratri

Hindu Holidays & Dharmic Days Calendar

10/4/22Dussehra

Dussehra (duh-sheh-RAH) or Vijayadashmi (vi-juhyuh-dushuh-mee) celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the ten-headed demon King Ravana. This also marks the end of Ramalila — a brief retelling of the Ramayana and the story of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman in the form of dramatic reading or dance. It also signifies the end of negativity and evil within us (vices, biases, prejudices) for a fresh new beginning. Dussehra often coincides with the end of Navratri and Duga Puja, and celebrations can last ten days, with huge figures of Ravana set ablaze as a reminder that good always prevails over evil.

Hindu Holidays & Dharmic Days Calendar

Hinduism 101 & Women

10/3/22Ahimsa + Cow sanctuaries

Many Hindus hold reverence for the cow as a representation of mother earth, fertility, and Hindu values of selfless service, strength, dignity, and non-harming. Though not all Hindus are vegetarian, for this reason many traditionally abstain from eating beef. This is often linked with the concept of ahimsa (non-violence), which can be applied to diet choices and our interactions with the environment, and potentially determine our next birth, according to the doctrine of karma. This is part of the reason that some Hindus may choose a vegetarian lifestyle as an expression of ahimsa as well as explains the growing number of cow protection projects that are led by individuals who have felt compelled to put their Hindu values into practice. The US is home to several cow protection projects and sanctuaries

Dairy Is Traditionally Sattvic Food, but the Way We Treat Cows Today Can Be Tamasic

Cultured Meat and Animal-Free Dairy Upends the Plant-Based Food Discussion

10/1/2022First Hindu temple in US

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 facilitated the journey of many Indian immigrants to the United States. In this new land, many created home shrines and community temples to practice and hold pujas (services). As Hindu American populations grew in metropolitan and rural areas, so did the need to find a permanent temple site for worship. In 1906, the Vedanta Society built the Old Temple in San Francisco, California but as this was not considered a formal temple, many don’t credit this with being the first. Others believe it is the Shiva Murugan Temple built in 1957 in Concord, California, whereas others believe it is the Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devanstanam in New York that should be considered the first. Today, there are nearly 1,000 temples in the United States . Regardless of where you live, you have the right to practice your faith.

A Guide To Temple Safety and Security

5 Things to Know About Visiting a Hindu Temple