A Karva Chauth I'll never forget

Tell us your Karva Chauth story -- good, bad, humorous or disastrous, we want to hear them all.

On October 26, 'dutiful' wives across the country will embark on a one-day fast for the wellbeing and longevity of their husbands' lives.

Each year, the fairer sex celebrates the festival of Karva Chauth by abstaining from all food and drink, from sunrise until the moon is sighted in the evening sky.

And it's not just the married brood that follows the annual practice -- single women do it for their fiances, or even in the hope of being blessed with a good partner.

Ideally, the ladies are meant to apply henna and mehendi, dress in their best, abstain from all work and can expect a gift from their hubbies once the fast is broken, along with the first sip of water and first morsel of food.

But it hardly seems to work out that way anymore -- you have to drop the kids to school, spend the day at work and remain hungry and thirsty to boot! In fact, a lot of husbands today join in the Karva Chauth fast with their wives, to reciprocate the sacrifice (or maybe just to avoid being hen-pecked by their feminist spouses, but then whatever works, right?).

Now, with a week to go for the big day, we're asking you to tell us all about a particular Karva Chauth experience you'll never forget.

It could be sentimental, it could be funny, it could be disastrous!

We want your stories, so do send them in, with a photograph if possible, to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'My unforgettable Karva Chauth') -- we'll publish the most interesting entries right here!

Image: Married Hindu women pray during the festival of Karva Chauth in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh

Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters