Karva Chauth is one of the most critical festivals for married women of the Hindu religion, and it is maintained with love and devotion. This festival includes fasting from sunrise to moonrise, and it’s a day where women pray for the long life and well-being of their husbands. In this celebration, the Sargi-the pre-dawn meal by the mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law is considered one of the most special things.

It coincides with Sunday, 20 October 2024. So this would be a fabulous opportunity for Indians living in the USA to keep this tradition alive and follow it back home. Let us see the date, time, and what should be included in the Sargi thali.

Sargi Date and Time for Karva Chauth 2024 in the USA

The morsel must be eaten before the sun rises on Karva Chauth. The muhurat starts at sunrise, and one fast thereafter, so one needs to know the rising time in her place.

For most cities in the USA, such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, sunrise on October 20th, 2024 is between 6:45 AM and 7:15 AM. It is advised that you finish your Sargi meal at 6:30 AM so that you start your fasting correctly.

Also read: Karwa Chauth 2024 in USA: Date, Time, and Importance

What is a Sargi Thali?

Sargi thali is a beautifully arranged dish platter dished out by a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law. It is a gesture of love and healthy food that keeps up one’s energy throughout the day of fasting. Following is what normally goes inside a Sargi thali:

Fresh Fruits:

Fruits like apples, bananas, and pomegranates contain fibre and water. These will keep you from becoming thirsty or hungry for a long time. Those fruits give the body its natural sugars and vitamins to keep you energetic throughout the day.

Dry Fruits:

Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and dates contain protein, fiber, and the good fats. One is a good energy-booster and keeps you full for longer hours.

Seviyan (Vermicelli Kheer):

Seviyan is a light, sweetish dessert made from vermicelli cooked in milk with sugar and cardamom, an essential element of the Sargi thali as it is easily digestible, perfect for an early morning meal.

Paratha:

A soft, mildly spiced paratha, like Indian flatbread, gives a good balance of carbohydrates, is more filling, and when served with yogurt or pickle, gives both flavor and nutritional value.

Coconut Water:

Coconut water is very hydrating and keeps your body cool and refreshed throughout the fast.

Sweets:

A small sweet like laddoo or barfi is also included. The sugar provides instant energy and adds a festive touch to the thali.

Pheni (Sweet Fried Vermicelli):

Pheni is a sweet preparation made of fried vermicelli either dipped in sugar syrup or in milk. They are crispy, sweet, and very special for Karva Chauth.

Chana or Makhana:

Roasted chana (chickpeas) as well as makhana or fox nuts. These nuts are full of proteins and keep you full for a long time.

Also Read: Karwa Chauth 2024 USA: Traditional Indian Recipes for a Delicious Celebration

How to Prepare a Sargi Thali in the USA

This process of preparing traditional Sargi thali is pretty much easier than most of them have imagined; the following are some tips in the USA:

Local Indian grocery store: Find Indian grocery stores in nearly all big cities, where you can easily get almost all vermicelli, dry fruits, and pickles.
Use fresh and seasonal produce: Even if you cannot locate a specific fruit or ingredient, using locally available fresh fruits and nuts will serve the purpose just as well.
This is what we keep simple. Sargi’s intention is to prepare something healthy. Thus, if you cannot assemble everything, then make sure there are fruits, dry fruits, and some lightweight dishes like paratha or seviyan kheer.

Also Read: 10 Karva Chauth Mehndi Designs 2024 for USA: Celebrate with Glamour

The Importance of Sargi

Sargi is more than just a meal; it’s a tradition that strengthens the bond between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It symbolizes love, care, and blessings for a successful and smooth fast day. Eating Sargi at dawn ensures that women who fast will have energy throughout the day, all without food and water.

Karva Chauth is a beautiful festival of love and devotion, and even though you have left your Indian land behind and are living in the USA, celebrating it here keeps the bond with one’s roots alive. A thali prepared with such care and love allows women to fast with strength and enthusiasm. So, this year on October 20th, 2024, enjoy your Sargi with a full heart and make this day special with your family wherever you are!

Karva Chauth is a festival, particularly for married Hindu women who fast for the good health and long life of their husbands. It’s a day full of traditions, and one of the most exciting parts of the celebration is the intricate application of mehndi or henna designs. Karva Chauth in the year 2024 will fall on October 20th, Sunday in the USA; Indians are very much excited to decorate with beautiful Mehandi art this year.

Here are the top 10 popular Mehandi designs and trends to try this year 2024:

1. Traditional Bridal Mehndi

Intricate and Full Hand: The covering is up to the wrist by detailed patterned works on fingertips, involving peacocks, paisleys, and floral motifs.
Symbolic Elements: Popular elements include the moon, bangles, or a picture of a bride and groom often combined for bridal mehndi designs.

2. Arabic Mehndi Designs

Bold and Minimal: Arabic mehndi designs are predominantly bold outlines of intricate large patterns. It usually includes flowing floral patterns and geometric shapes, which are easy to apply but make an amazing display.
More Than Less: Interactions of Patterns: It is more prominent leaving space between the patterns; thus, it will give a modern look with simplicity. Thus, it will be very suitable for individuals who prefer minimalism.

image source: chitrkala.in

Also Read: Karva Chauth Sargi 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Thali Ideas for Indians in the USA

3. Rajasthani Mehndi Designs

Dainty and Dense: Rajasthani Mehndi is known for its richly intricate and detailed patterns. The general motifs include parts that are inspired by the art and culture of Rajasthan; some common ones are royal elephants and dancing figures.
Unique Shading: This art form frequently uses shading to infuse somebody and a dimension into the designs.

image source: darkmehandi.in

4. Trending in Modern Mehndi Designs

Elegant and Simple: For modern trends, simple and minimalist mehndi designs with geometric shapes, lines, and minute floral patterns are quite in.
Cainty Finger/Glove kind of Designs: In modern mehndi, it can be used to highlight only the fingers or the wrists with minimalist patterns.

5. Mandala Mehndi Design

Center-Focused: This starts from the center of the palm and widens out. The design is suitable for a person who is in search of an extremely symmetrical, well-balanced look.
Elegant and Attractive: Mandalas also describe spiritual development apart from the aesthetic appeal. For Karva Chauth, this design would also bring good luck for the couple, so people can choose it.

Also Read : Karwa Chauth 2024 USA: Date, Time, Traditions, and Significance

6. Fusion Mehndi Designs

Mix of Styles: Blends of traditional Indian, modern, or Arabic designs are blended to provide an excellent choice for those who seek both worlds.
Creative Customization: Adding initials a wedding date or personal symbols adds so much beauty to your design.

7. Mehndi for Feet

Ankle and Toe Patterns: As much as the hands are the focal point, it is an equally great tradition to decorate your feet in mehndi as well. Cute florals or leafy vines at the ankle and toes add a lovely finishing touch.
Great with Traditional Outfits: Foot mehndi patterns look very stunning with traditional garments such as sarees and lehengas.

8. Glitter Mehndi

Add Some Sparkle: With a modern twist, many now add glitter to their mehndi designs. It makes the henna stand out more and gives it a festive feel.
Perfect for Celebrations: This style is perfect for those who are going to Karva Chauth celebrations with friends and family. It adds that extra glamour to the design.

9. Jewelry-Inspired Mehndi

Bracelet and Ring Motifs: Mehndi patterns that are imitative motifs from jewelry, such as bracelets and rings, have become quite fashionable features. People who desire a very chic, accessory-like motif will be thrilled with this design.
Refined and Delicate: The motifs will often be pretty small and dainty, thus giving them a rather class and refined look.

Also Read: Karwa Chauth 2024 USA: Traditional Indian Recipes for a Delicious Celebration

10. Children’s Mehndi Patterns

Simple and Wholesome: If you want to include your little kids in this festival, simple designs with hearts, flowers, or cartoon-like shapes are the easiest.
Quick and Easy: These designs are small enough so that they are suitable for children who might not even have the patience for a full, intricate design.

Tips for Applying Mehndi

Quality Henna: Always use natural henna for deep, long-lasting color. Avoid using black henna as it causes some skin allergies sometimes.
Moisturize: Once the henna dries, apply lemon juice with sugar to let the color set deep.
Leave it On: To achieve the strongest color stain, keep the mehndi on for at least 6–8 hours before washing it off.
No matter where you are in the United States, beautiful mehndi on Karva Chauth is a wonderful way to participate in this cultural celebration and have just a bit of fun with the day. SELECT that design you like best and enjoy the celebrations!

The Festival of Lights, commonly called Diwali, is a festivity that involves the use of lights. Also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, or Deepawali, it is commemorated, either in October or November. In the year 2024, Diwali will fall on October 31st. The celebrations of Diwali usually persist for approximately five days. Do people residing in the USA generally have a day off on Diwali/Deepavali? The answer is Yes, recently Diwali – The Festival Of Lights has been declared an official holiday in Pennsylvania, USA. In the other cities of the United States of America, business will be carried out as usual. The Diwali festival is observed on the new moon of the Kartik month, which falls 20 days after the eve of Dussehra or Vijayadashami. The 5-day festival starts from Dhanteras and lasts till Bhai Dooj. During this time, it is celebrated with high excitement and enthusiasm. Also, Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped on this day since she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Complete Time Table of Diwali in the USA

• Diwali 2024 Date: October 31, 2024
• Day: Thursday
• Laxmi Puja Muhurat: 06:25 PM to 08:12 PM
• Amavasya Tithi start: 05:22 AM on November 31, 2024
• Amavasya Tithi end: 07:46 AM on November 1, 2024

History and Significance of Diwali

Diwali finds its origins interwoven within the intricate tapestry of Hindu mythology, where it emerges as a saga of unparalleled significance. At the heart of this narrative stands Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, a divine figure whose epic exploits resonate through the annals of time. His indomitable spirit and valorous triumph over the malevolent Ravana culminated in a joyous return to the celestial realm of Ayodhya. In a fervent celebration of this glorious homecoming, the denizens of Ayodhya illuminated the very fabric of their city with the soft, comforting radiance of diyas, those humble earthen lamps that cast a warm, golden glow upon their homes. The creative artistry of rangolis adorned their doorsteps, a symphony of vibrant patterns painted with the dexterity of tradition. This jubilant festival of Diwali is said to grace the world on the hallowed night of Amavasya, the new moon, when the Hindu month of Kartik paints the sky with its sacred hues.

Here is the list of the 5-day festival of lights:

1st Day – Dhanteras: It is an auspicious day for purchasing gold, silver, and other commodities.

2nd Day – Naraka Chaturdashi: It is ideal for banishing evil spirits by lighting diyas in the morning.

3rd Day – Diwali Puja: People dress up in new clothing, adorn their homes with rangolis and lights, and pray to Goddess Lakshmi.

4th Day – Govardhan Puja: The puja is carried out to please the Govardhan mountain and seek his blessings.
5th Day – Bhai Dooj: It honors the relationship amid brothers and sisters.

Celebration of Diwali in the US

The festival is a testimony of the events where goodness triumphs over evil, knowledge prevails over ignorance, and light triumphs over darkness. Diwali is rooted in diverse customs and cultural practices that vary across India yet share components in common. Here are some of the most important components of Diwali custom and culture:

• Diwali Fairs And Cultural Performances
• Family Reunions And Festive Feasts
• Gifts And Sweets Exchanged
• Philanthropy And Charity
• Puja (Prayers) And Worship
• The Lighting Of Lamps And The Display Of Fireworks
• Traditional Attire

Epilogue

The festival of lights – Diwali is now an official holiday in the state of Pennsylvania, United States of America. It is nothing short of an achievement for this special occasion which is a clear and traditional representation of victory of good over evil. It will be celebrated in the USA, India, and other countries on 31st October 2024.