Women indulge in fancy treatments for Karva Chauth

Bollywood has played a vital role in making Karva Chauth a larger-than-life event.

As the festival of colourful bangles and solah shringar dawns yet again, city women are out to indulge themselves with vim and vigour…

Gifts, pampering and love
For many progressive mother-in-laws, Karva Chauth is the time to pamper their daughters-in-law to the fullest. Interior designer Kavita Taneja, who is an indulgent mom-in-law, said, “I have three daughters-in-law and I enjoy seeing them dress in their finery and being pampered to the hilt. So, while I fast for my husband, I don’t allow any of my girls to starve. I make sure that they have fruits and juices every one hour and give them gifts along with my blessings.”

Shopaholics’ delight
“A very important and traditional part of this festival is shopping,” said Ankita Sharma, a newly married banker, who is celebrating her first Karva Chauth, and added, “My mother-in-law will take me out for shopping tomorrow and give me a pretty saree and a jadau set. So, I’m really excited and looking forward to this all girls’ outing. The two of us will then go and buy some matching glass bangles and bindis to complete the look.”

Foodies’ day out
Interestingly, every festival in India is incomplete without a vast array of food. No wonder, even the tough Karva Chauth fast is associated with a variety of food. A hospital administrator, Rajni Sangtani shared, “My daughter Rashmei and daughter-in-law Astha are newly married and I’m preparing a huge variety of cuisines, so that they can indulge themselves. My bahu likes dal pakwan and sewai ki kheer, so these two will definitely be on the menu, along with dahi idli and appam. For the sargi ritual, I will get feni, dry fruits, matthi etc for my bahu.”

Body polish, organic facials and more
In an endeavour to look stunning, women are leaving no stone unturned. This is where luxurious beauty treatments come in, whatever the price. Beauty head of a salon, Sapna Saxena, said, “For Karva Chauth, we have quite a few bookings for body polish, organic facials, skin brightening, body ubtan, aromatic massages, traditional makeup, mehendi and hairstyles. On an average, the ladies will be shelling out `4000-5000 for these treatments. But the result is worth it, so nobody minds paying.”