KARACHI, PAKISTAN, October 23, 2013 (Saharasamay): Dozens of Hindus celebrated the Indian festival of Karwa Chauth in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Hindu couples gathered at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir near the Netty Jetty bridge yesterday night to celebrate the occasion.
On Karwa Chauth, Hindu women, especially in North India and Gujarat, traditionally observe a day-long fast for the longevity and well-being of their husbands. They break their fast after sighting the moon through a sieve. The man will then offer his wife some water and something sweet to break the fast.
Mehendi and henna are used for body arts by women during the festive season. Rani, who broke her fast on the footsteps of the mandir which overlooks the Netty Jetty waters said for her and many other Hindu married women the annual festival had become very important because of its religious significance.
“Given the sort of situation we are facing in Karachi these days basically everyday is Karwa Chauth for us women no matter which religion they belong too. Things are so uncertain we just keep on praying that our husbands return home safely after work,” Rani said.