Woman's Jatra

This week there was no school...there was a women's festival!!!
Monday night we feasted - a common thing to do here - and talked and talked and did henna, or mendi, on our hands. We had to feast, because Tuesday was a fasting day.
It was actually really nice to not eat for almost a full day. I didn't even get hungry. You are not supposed to drink water either, which I had to cheat on. I did pretty well, and then started to get dizzy and caved. Every woman wore red sari's - even yours truly - and went to the temples and danced, sang, danced and danced. It was hot as Hell on Tuesday, so that, dancing and dehydration were an intense combo. When the sun set we could drink water, and ate fruits. We had this interesting and acquired tasting concoction of hot water, butter, sugar, and black peppercorns to drink after eating. Yuck! It is supposed to be good for your stomach after a day of fasting...I don't know...I was trying to hide that I was gaging.
Needless to say, I slept like a little baby that night.
Wednesday, and Thursday (today) are still celebration days of ritual, worship, feasting, and rest.
The festival is to wish women for good husbands and/or a happy life and healthy relationship with your husband or future husband.

I just think it is soo awesome that there is a festival to celebrate women...especially in this culture. It does revolve around the idea of having a good husband, which kind of sucks (haha), but it is still so amazing to see women get together and unite. For only women to be allowed to dance and celebrate. I hope that in such a confining culture for women (though it is getting better)this is a free feeling and expressive time for women to have the chance to celebrate.