Behind bars, a Karva Chauth fast and a wait for the moon at Tihar

Representational image. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Around 250–300 women inmates at Tihar’s Central Jail No. 6 are observing Karva Chauth this year, with prison authorities arranging festive essentials and preparing for an increase in family visits as inmates seek to mark the occasion away from home.As of Wednesday night (October 28, 2026), around 1,200 mulaqat slots had been booked across nine jails under the Tihar Prison Complex for Thursday (October 29, 2026), including over 50 for women inmates lodged in Jail No. 6, officials told The Hindu.The women’s prison has arranged items for the pre-dawn sargi ritual (pre-dawn meal before the nirjala (without food and water) fast from sunrise to moonrise), including fruits, sweets, savoury mathri and feni (vermicelli), while the usual meals of lentils, curry, chapatis and rice will continue to be served. The complex was buzzing with activity and excitement throughout Wednesday (October 28, 2026) as inmates availed services at the in-house parlour and applied henna to each other’s hands ahead of the festival.“Karva Chauth is celebrated inside the prison much as it is in any other household in the city. We try to ensure that the women can observe the festival and follow their traditions,” said Amita Suman, Superintendent of Central Jail No. 6.Of the 608 women lodged in the jail, around 250–300 are celebrating the festival this year, Ms. Suman told The Hindu. These include Muslim women who are supporting their Hindu friends in the ritual. “There is no such divide between inmates here. They all support each other’s rituals and cultures,” the official said.Inmates can purchase clothes and food items through facilities available inside the prison, with the cost deducted from their accounts. Families can also send them clothes, and those who want custom garments can have them stitched at the prison’s tailoring unit.After the pre-dawn sargi, inmates can choose how to spend the day. Some who follow the tradition of avoiding sewing, knitting, and handling sharp objects like needles and scissors on Karva Chauth may stay away from work at the tailoring units, while others continue their routine duties.In the evening, the women will gather in an open area for the recitation of the Karva Chauth katha by an elderly inmate before waiting for the moon.However, prison rules require inmates to return to their cells before sunset, around 6 p.m., limiting the number who can see the moon directly. While some may be able to see it from their cells, others will have to rely on photographs or television coverage before breaking their fasts. Prison staff will also take photographs of the women to mark the occasion.A saree for his wifeFor some families, the festival is also a reminder of the distance that incarceration has placed between them. Rajkumar (name changed on request), who is scheduled to visit his wife on Thursday (October 29, 2026), has bought her a red saree for the occasion.“The last time I met her, she asked me to get her a nice saree. I went to the shop where she would often buy sarees and picked out a red one for her. Unfortunately, I will not be able to see her wear it,” he said, emotional.His wife has been lodged in prison for two years in a murder case, leaving him to care for their young daughter.Mulaqat bookings risePrison authorities are preparing to manage the increased demand for mulaqat visits on Thursday (October 29, 2026), as families seek to meet inmates observing Karva Chauth.Although each jail has a daily cap on the number of meetings permitted, an official overseeing bookings said additional slots may be accommodated in some cases to enable inmates to meet their spouses during the festival.Mulaqat slots can be booked online between one and 15 days in advance. The usual visiting hours are from 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and no additional window has been opened for the festival. Published - October 29, 2026 12:20 am IST