India is always buzzed with festivals. Among the plentiful festivities, Chhath Puja is celebrated just a week after Diwali in the honor of Lord Sun. The festival commences on the Kartika Shukla Shashti, which is the sixth day of the month of Karthika, according to the Hindu calendar.
The festival is mainly four days long and observed with great significance and sheer devotion. Chath puja is primarily celebrated in the states of North India such as Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, Bihar and Also in the country of Nepal. Devotees celebrate the festival by observing fast and offering holy prayers to the almighty Sun, the God of light, energy force, well-being and his sister, also known as Chhathi Maiya.
There is a popular belief that worshipping the sun offers longevity, wealth, prosperity and positiveness.Chhath is also abided by various names depending upon different areas it is dedicated to such as- Surya Shashti,Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Puja, Pratihar and Dala chhath.
Myths and beliefs about Chhath puja:
There are many popular mythological beliefs associated with Chhath Puja. Some say that Chhath Puja is the one of the oldest festivals that might date back to the Ancient Vedas as the Rigveda comprises hymns of worshipping the Sun and some similar rituals can be found. These rituals are also mentioned in Mahabharata where Draupadi can be seen performing similar rituals. On the advice of astute Dhaumya, the rituals of Chhath were followed by Draupadi. Later such worshipping helped the Pandavas to re-gain their kingdom. Some ancients also recommend that Lord Rama and Sita used to keep fast and offer puja to the sun in the Kartika month Shukla Paksha during their coronation after returning Ayodhya from the exile. Therefore, in history and also present times chhath Puja remains as an auspicious occasion.
Worship and Rituals :
The chief participants or devotees of all the rituals are known as Parvaitin. Parv in Sanskrit means occasion and Vaiti stands out as the observers of fast. The Parvaitins usually pray for the well-being, happiness and prosperity of their family members. The Prasad that is offered during Chhath Puja contains sweets, hand made Kheer, delicious thekua, home made rice Laddoo, and fruits like bananas, sugarcane, and sweet lime. The four day long festival involves arduous rituals every day such as –
Offerings on the first day -Kharna
Nahay Khay
The name says it all. Nahay Khay, the first day of Chhath Puja which starts off on Chaturthi tithi ,involves rituals like taking a dip in the nearby holy water body and cooking a sattvic or vegetarian meal at home. Lauki curry, Kaddu Bhat with chana daal and roti are some common preparations on this day. The devotees are allowed to consume only one meal on this day.
Lohanda or Kharna
The vrati women observe Nirjala fast (fast without drinking even a drop of water) from sunrise to sunset on Panchami. They break their fast only after worshipping the sun during the sunset. The devotees prepare many offerings like sweets, mainly kheer, bananas and rice. After they break their fast with consuming Prasad, a 36 hour fasting also follows the day.
Sandhya Arghya
The third day which is remarked as Sasthi also begins with Nirjala fast and the day is spent by preparing puja offerings. All the puja offerings and fruits are laid out in a cane basket and taken to Chhath ghat which are decorated with lights, diyas at the banks of rivers or ponds. The devotees stand in the river banks to offer arghya or holy prayer to the sun which is about to set off.
Usha Arghya, Parana
It is the last and most important day which commenced before sunrise and devotees perform the Usha Arghya that involves offering prayers along with chanting holy mantras to the rising sun. The festivities and rituals finally come to an end with breaking the 36-hours fast and enjoying a wholesome meal with family & relatives by sharing prasad and greetings.
Rituals during sunset
Significance of Chhath Puja:
Besides some religious significance of the annual thanksgiving occasion of the Sun for providing us a wealthy and healthy life, there is some science too attached to the rituals of this festival. The rituals involve to pray at the river bank or standing at the river bank for long hours. Here is an explanation behind it. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are at their lowest during sunrise and sunset and that’s why the sun rays are most beneficial at both the times. These sun rays beneath which the devotees soak the spirit help to detoxify the mind, body, and inner soul by removing all negative energies from life.
