Chhath puja 2024:  Resembles spirituality to the sun god, a journey of devotion and purity

Chhath puja is a Vedic or ancient Indo-Nepalese festival, celebrated in the North Indian state of Bihar,  other regions of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Chhath is the most famous and auspicious festival of Hindus in India. According To the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja begins on the 6th day of  "Kartik maas". This festival is devoted to the worship of  the sun god and his wife, Usha. The four days of Chhath puja offer good mental benefits to the devotees. Chhath puja conducted to calm the mind of devotees , increase immunity of the body and reduce negative.

Chhath Puja rituals of four days:

Day 1 – Nahay Khay 

The first day of Chhath puja is named Nahay khay, which means a day of sanctification and preparation that marks the beginning of the Chhath puja celebration, which fell on the 5th of November this year. On the first day of Chhath Puja, devotees take a bath in a holy river, lake, or other body to purify themselves and adopt a satvik way of living. Devotees bring some water to clean their entire home and the surroundings. The devotees keep fast since morning and eat only one meal in a whole day. They prepare a pure meal including Lauki, Chana Dal, and chawal (bottle gourd, Bengal Gram, and Raw Rice) for the deity in the afternoon as Bhog, then the lady who keeps fast and the other family members consume the meal as a Prasad.

Day 2 – Kharna 

On the second day  of Chhath Puja start with devotees Keeping a nirjala fast (a fast without  drinking a drop of water) from sunrise to sunset. In the afternoon, devotees prepare prasad (a sacred offering) consisting of roti (bread) and delicious Rasiya kheer (rice pudding) made with arwa chawal (raw rice), gud (jaggery), and ghee. This meal, traditionally served on a banana leaf, is offered to Chhath Maiya and then shared with family members, neighbors, and relatives.  

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya

The Sandhya Argha means "evening offering; the 3rd day considered the most significant day of Chhath puja. Day starts with the scrupulous preparation for Chhath Prasad. The offering are properly arranged in dala or soops and a bamboo basket filled with Prasad items decorate with red or saffron fabric from outside. On this day, worshippers offer prayer to the setting sun. The motive of the celebration is to give thanks for sustaining life on earth and to pray for family member prosperity. All devotees or observers gather at nearest riverbank, lake, pond or other water bodies, where they perform their puja by standing in water and offering to the setting sun.

Day 4 –  Parana Day

On the final and last day of Chhath puja, the offering is  given to the sun god or Chhath Maiya. The worshippers and the family member again gather around the ghat in the early morning and stand until the sun rises. All the ladies chant lok geet like Mai Ghare Rowat Hoi, Jalwa Chadhali and worship Chhath Maiya. After offering, they distribute prasad among each other , neighbor and seek blessings from elders.

Prasad items that are offered by devotees to Chhath Maiya :

Thekua 

The most important Prasad is offerd to Sun god by devotees. Thekua is one the popular sweet dishes from Bihar specially in the Mithila region of Bihar. It is prepare with maida( flour), ghee, sugar, dry fruits like cashew nuts, almond walnuts and cardamon. Thekua helps body to remain warm in the winter.
Fruits 

Fruits like coconut, banana, pineapple, cucumber, radish, pomegranate, apples, sugarcane and oranges are devoted to omnipotent. These fruits symbolize as gratitude and devotion.
Ginger and Raw Turmeric

Ginger and raw Turmeric signify  good health and wellness. They are known for purifying bodies that’s why devotees offered this to the Chhath Maiya. 
Pomelo 

Pomelo is offered to the goddess Chhath Maiya and eaten by  worshippers. It is  dedicated as a symbol of good immunity. Pomelo resembles the sun god, making it an ideal offering for this sun worship festival.

What is the significance of women applying vermillion (sindoor) from nose to head? 

On the day of Chhath , vermillion (sindoor) should be perfectly filled from nose to forehead as long as there is  demand. The vermillion represents martial bliss and longevity, and well-being of their husband. 

Dates of Chhath Puja 2024

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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