Celebs share their Karva Chauth plans

Rajul Hegde caught up with a few TV stars and got them to tell us what significance the festival holds for each of them and how they will celebrate this year.

They may be rich and famous, but these successful women observe the Karva Chauth fast just like millions of others across the country and fast for the wellbeing, prosperity and longevity of their husbands.

First up, Roshni Chopra of Kasamh Se fame shares her thoughts:

'My husband also fasts with me'

I have just returned from the US and still not made any plans. But I know that I am going to fast, wake up in the morning at four to eat and pray. The second half of the day I will spend with my friends. We either do the puja (watching the moon rise) at my place or at a friend's, but it's usually my house.

My most memorable has to be my first Karva Chauth. My parent had flown down from Delhi. My mother taught and explained everything to me about the festival. It was hectic for me, because it was the first time I fasted, plus I was shooting. But it was amazing and a memorable experience.

My husband also fasts with me. As for gifts, the first year I got a nice gift hamper. Last year I got a BlackBerry and this year, I have to wait and see! (smiles)

Here's what Shubangi Atre Poorey, who played the lead in Kasturi, has to say:

I like Karva Chauth because I feel it is one way of showing love to your partner. I am doing it for myself and for my hubby and nobody ever forced me to fast.

Due to my hectic shooting schedules, I usually couldn't follow the rituals properly, although I would observe the fast. This year I am not shooting, so I want to follow the rituals as per tradition.

I want to wear mehendi, gajra and a sari and make some nice ladoos as prasad for Ganpati Bappa.

I can generally see the moon from my gallery. Hope I get to see it this Karva Chauth too.

As for my gift, my husband took me out shopping on the pretext of buying a sari for his mother. He told me to choose and after we came home I got to know that it's for me. I was really excited and now I am getting a nice designer blouse stitched to go with it.

My husband Piyush also fasts along with me and it is very sweet of him to do so. He gives me company.

The best Karva Chauth gift I have received so far is a diamond ring, the year my daughter was born -- I did not fast on that day, though.

Chhavi Mittal of Ek Chutki Aasman fame weighs in:

I don't work on Karva Chauth and spend the whole day with my husband Mohit. We go shopping, to the salon or watch a movie. Basically, I pamper myself because my mother has told me to beautify myself on this occasion. My husband also fasts along with me.

My most memorable Karva Chauth was my first -- I had been shooting for a show and I got the day off only on Karva Chauth. Both my husband and I spent whole day cleaning up the kitchen and setting up the house. We didn't realise when the day was over. It was really special, because we got to spend quality time with each other and we enjoyed the work we were doing.

My husband generally gifts me clothes and jewellery on Karva Chauth, so I'm expecting something good this time too.

Here's what actress Daljeet Shaleen Bhanot, best known for roles in Kulvadhu and Choona Hai Aasman, had to say about the occasion:

I am really looking forward to this Karva Chauth. I am thrilled that my in-laws and parents are going to be there. It's going to be a family affair and we are planning to celebrate either in Mumbai or Nagpur. My mother and mom-in-law have already started shopping and they are more excited than me. I can feel it in the air and I think I should also gear up and do some shopping as well.

I am planning to buy a bright-coloured sari or Punjabi outfit in red or maroon, something dressier for this occasion.

I have celebrated a bachelorette kind of Karva Chauth before, without following the proper rituals and just going hungry. But last year I was fortunate to do it right, before I got married. Officially this is my first Karva Chauth, so I am very excited.

I like everything about our tradition -- it so beautiful to wear the mangal sutra, sindoor, chuda (bangles). It is more like dressing up for a marriage and I love it.

Last year during my fast I was not at all hungry or thirsty. I was busy chatting up my would-be mother-n-law and didn't come to know how the time flew.

The best gift for me would be to spend time with my husband on Karva Chauth and follow all the rituals as per our tradition.

I won't be surprised if tomorrow Shaleen (husband) comes up to me and says, "Guess what? I am fasting with you." But I don't want him to fast, because he has rehearsals the next morning.

And finally, we have the eminent Kishori Shahane's opinion and plans:

It is a festival for women, where the women of the house come together and participate in the rituals. Deepakji (husband) has never insisted I fast on Karva Chauth -- in fact, he says we should eat to our hearts' content and not fast at all! I nevertheless still follow the practice, because I find it a fun thing to do.

My most memorable experience definitely has to be the first one. I had never fasted in my life and so it was a very overwhelming experience. I was, however, lucky to have the support and guidance of my mother-in-law and both my bhabhis.

I still vividly remember the rituals -- getting up early morning at 4:30 or 5 am for the sargi and then having to spend the entire day on an empty stomach. In the evening (after sunset) we did a puja at the temple and my mom-in-law allowed me to have a glass of water -- this, as per tradition, is the prerogative of the mother-in-law and I continue the practice it to date. Waiting for the moon-rise, completing the puja and then having a wholesome meal at the end of it -- these are pleasant memories which I will cherish forever.

As a gift, I received a collection of Diwali saris from my husband Deepakji. They were Bengali, since my mother-in-law is Bengali. I reciprocated the gesture by gifting her some saris too and jewellery.

When I am shooting, it becomes a little difficult to follow all the rituals to precision, especially the mehendi part and performing the puja together with all the women of the house. However, I do fast through the day, do the puja after moonrise and have dinner with Deepakji.

Of course, this year our prayers will include the success of our much awaited movie Maalik Ek, which stars Jackie Shroff as Shirdi Sai Baba. It is my first Hindi movie as a producer and has been directed by Deepakji.