The once-a-year fast and feast – Karwa Chauth

Widely celebrated in the northern part of India mainly Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, Karwa Chauth is the celebration of marriage, wherein the wife fasts an entire day praying for a long and healthy life for her husband. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.

The word ‘Karwa’ basically means an earthen clay pot and ‘Chauth’ means the fourth day after the full moon. The earthen pot or Karwa signifies the end of the harvest season and is also used by married women to complete their pooja rituals by offering water to the moon. The festival came into existence in the ancient era, when women used to pray for the safe return of their husbands who had gone off to war.

The feast and the furious - Fasting from dawn to moonrise can be quite a task. Luckily, a huge feast of sumptuous dishes can be cooked during the day, which can be enjoyed by couples or families at night. Some of the most popular dishes are-

Dal Makhani - Dal Makhani is a Punjabi dish, finding its origin in North India and made with black Urad Dal (black gram). It is a mainstay in restaurants across India. The dish's name means "Buttery Lentils" in the Punjabi language.

Kashmiri Pulao - If you’re looking for a rice recipe that has a unique flavor and bursts with all the wonderful tastes of fall, Kashmiri pulao is just the dish you’re looking for. This mouthwatering recipe combines the traditional taste of spices that you love with the sweet, tart flavors of seasonal fruit.

Jeera Rice - Simplistic yet holistic, jeera rice is a very popular rice dish. Usually, jeera rice gets precedence over plain basmati rice to go along with dals or curry dishes. The tempering with cumin and fragrant whole spices take the basic rice dish a level up.

Paneer Makhani - Paneer Makhani is a delicious, spicy Indian dish that is easy to prepare and cook. It is sometimes known as Punjabi Paneer Makhani or just Paneer Makhani and originates from Punjab, India. It consists of paneer cubes in a rich & creamy tomato sauce and some recipes also advocate for other spices. This mouth-watering recipe creates a savoury moistness; it is perfect as an appetizer or as a main course.

Peas Pulao - Chawal Ki Kheer offers a heavenly twist to the end of a rich meal during the Karwachauth fast. Made with milk and a sprinkling of dry fruits, rather than the traditional rice, this dish offers a subtle sweetness that brings peace and satisfaction to your dining experience.

Fast or feast, Choose India Gate - The India Gate Rice promises & delivers only premium quality basmati rice that is grown in a traditional way to impart a superb aroma and flavour to it, which is ideal for preparing delicious vegetarian dishes as per your palette.