India is the land of festivals and they are treated to be auspicious as per the Hindu religion. Each Indian festival has its own unique way of celebration and people follow the tradition while celebrating it. Festivals in India are awaited all year long and are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
With zest of festivity comes the food ritual fasting…!!
Fasting holds great significance in the Hindu culture, and one festival where a fast is religiously observed is Karva Chauth.
Falling on 17th October 2019 this year, especially in Northern India, married women, fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.
One of the most important parts of this fast is the ‘SARGI’ (my favorite part of festival), the pre-dawn meal that a Mother-in-law gives to her daughter-in-law who is keeping a dawn-to-dusk fast as a prayer for her son’s well-being and long life or we can say, the only meal that a woman consumes for the duration of the day. (sounds unrealistic but it’s True)
This sargi is actually a traditional meal, an assortment of sweets and savouries like mathri (salty fried snack), mithai (sweet), kaju-kishmish aur badaam (dry fruits), feniyan (Vermicelli) and fruits.
All about Feasting Thali…
Not only it looks delightful but it also provides ample energy to a woman to sustain without food and water throughout the day. Here are some food items that are included in a conventional Karva Chauth thali.
Vermicelli (Popular as Sevayyian)
Sevayyian or Vermicelli Kheer, prepared from milk and sugar is an essential item in a sargi thali which makes it full of nutritious and yummy.
Fruits
Fruits like bananas, apples, etc., are also a part of the sargi. Fast involves staying without food and water, eating fruits that are rich in fiber and water, helps the woman feeling fuller and hydrated till the evening
Sweets
Indian festivals are incomplete without sweets, the sugar in the sweets is great for providing much-needed energy for the day.
Dry Fruits
Rich in nutritious nuts like Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews etc, are included in the sargi thali. Nuts are considered auspicious and can draw all the energy for women fasting to manage without food and water.
We wish you happy fasting!
Credit – Sana Kochar