In India, Karwa Chauth is a festival of great importance for all married women. After marriage, the first Karwa Chauth is seen as a big occasion for women. It is indeed very special in a woman’s life as it brings a new base of care and love in her married relationship. All the family members and other relatives give utmost importance to the newly married woman when she observes her first fast for the long life of her husband. Her mother-in-law shower blessings of blissful married life and loads of Karwa Chauth gifts on her.

The foundation stone of this festival is the legendary story of a devoted wife, Karwa, and her efforts to save her husbands life. As Karwa Chauth is considered as very important festival for married women, all the symbols such as jewelery, bangles, henna, sarees, lehnga choli and many other traditional gifts, that reflects the marriage status of a woman is in immense demand.

First Sargi
Sargi is a meal prepared by the mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law if she is observing a fast. It is also known as pre-dawn Karva Chauth meal. Several delicious and sumptuous dishes are prepared even before the dawn. The Sargi given by mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law is a token of best wishes and blessings for a successful married life. The newly wed bride is also gifted with traditional bridal jewelry and expensive gift items.

First Baya
Another gift given to the new bride on the occasion of Karva Chauth by the mother-in-law is known as 'Baya'. It is a gift that comprises of eatables like salted mathris, dry-fruits and some gifts which are generally related to the marital use. On her first Karwa Chauth, the mothers of newly wed daughters also present gifts to all the members in her daughter’s new family along with Baya for her daughter. Some utensils are also gifted to the newly wed in the baya which she later distributes amongst women who join her in the first Karwa Chauth Puja as a token of auspiciousness.

Preparations for First Karwa Chauth Puja
All the rituals performed on the first Karwa Chauth is very much same as the rest of Karwa Chauth celebrations. However, for the first time, these rituals are performed with immense gaiety and grandeur. All married ladies of the family and locality gather together to celebrate the first Karwa Chauth of a newly wed woman. They apply henna on their hands and adorm themselves with all the shringar items and do bridal make-up. In the evening, they all listen to the Karwa Vrat Katha and pray for the long life of their husband.

Husbands Express love with Exotic Gifts
When all married women observes whole day fast without food and water for her better-half, her husband also overloads her with variety of gifts and accolades. The gift given on the first Karwa Chauth of a woman is generally grand and becomes a possession for lifetime. This auspicious day also develops a special kind of bond between the newly wed couple.