Looking For the Moon

I learned about my first hundu ritual: Karwa Chauth. Each year women fast the entire day on Karwa Chauth for their husband's long life. On this day the women wear Saris and can't eat or drink until they see the moon. Once the moon does appear they look at it through a sieve and then turn and look at their husband's face through the sieve. He then gives his wife her first bit of food for the day. This year the moon was not scheduled to come out until 9:30pm and it was cloudy so women had to stay hungry and thirsty for much of the day.

The women at Google who participated in this could be picked out because on their beautiful Saris. These women must love their husbands to go without food at Google! A member of a neighboring team Shweti, looked spectacular in her maroon sari and gold bangles. She said each year her husband makes her dinner on Karwa Chauth and is always looking for the moon so she can enjoy the meal. Shweti is an independent and intelligent woman and before coming here, I could not imagine someone like her fasting for the long life of her husband. Now I see it almost as a romantic jesture. I think this is a sweet tradition. Unmarried women can also participate to ensure the long life of their future husband and to find a wonderful husband.

I learned a little bit about marriage with all the talk of this Karwa Chauth. Like instead of wedding rings, women wear bindis to show that they are married. In the south, where I am, they wear toe rings and never show their wrists. I also learned that after 7 years of marriage you can't file for a divorce for abuse. I think this is dangerous, considering the 7 year itch is probably when some abuse starts. I also learned that this rule does not just hurt women potentially, but men. I guess that men being abused in relationships is not unheard of in India.