Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival uniquely associated with the powerful Lord Sun and Chhathi Maiya. It is the only Vedic festival dedicated to Lord Sun. This festival is unique to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the country of Nepal.
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What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath is one of the
important festivals of North India. Chhathi Maiya is known to be the sister of
Lord Sun. Sun is supposed to be the source of all powers, energy, and life. Lord
Sun is worshipped in order to promote the well-being, development, and prosperity of human beings. Know more about the Sun festival in India.
Through this festival,
people aim towards thanking the Sun God for a period of four days, the devotees
who observe the fast during this festival are called Vrati.
The festival comes twice a
year but Kartik Chhath is celebrated with much pomp and excitement. If you want
to know more continue reading.
Why the festival is named 'Chhath'?
Chhath is a Hindi word.
Chhath means ‘six’. Since the festival is celebrated on the sixth day of
Kartika month, the festival is named as the same.
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Chhath Puja 2021 Dates
Chhath Puja is celebrated
over four days. But the main Chhath puja is on 20 November. Here is the date
list of Chhath puja 2021.
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CHHATH PUJA 2021
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S.N. |
DATE |
DAY |
RITUAL |
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1st Day |
8 November 2021 |
Monday |
Nahay-Khay |
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2nd Day |
9 November 2021 |
Tuesday |
Lohanda and Kharna |
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3rd Day |
10 November 2021 |
Wednesday |
Sandhya Argh |
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4th Day |
11 November 2021 |
Thursday |
Suryodaya/Usha Argh and Paran |
Chaiti Chhath & Kartik Chhath
The Chhath Puja is being
celebrated over four days and twice a year. Once in the summers and is known as
Chaiti Chhath and the second time during the winters and is known as Karthik
Chhath. Let us know in detail.
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Chhath Puja 2022 |
Karthik Chhath
Karthik Chhath commences in
the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar, precisely six days following the Festival of Lights - Diwali. It generally falls during the month of October or
November.
Chaiti Chhath
"Chaiti Chhath" is
held after Holi in the month of Chaitra, somewhere between March and mid-April.
It is also celebrated during
the summers and is commonly known as Chaiti Chhath. This is celebrated a
few days after Holi. Know more about the Indian Festival Holi
Chhath Puja History | Why is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
The history of Chhath Puja
dated back to the early Vedic Period. There are many stories related to the
origin of Chhath Puja.
According to the stories,
this Puja was first started by Surya Putra Karna who ruled over the Anga Desh
(now Bhagalpur in Bihar) during the age of Mahabharata.
It is believed that in ancient times, Chhath Puja was celebrated by Draupadi and the Pandavas of
Hastinapur in order to solve their problems and regain their lost kingdom.
The mantras from the Rig
Veda texts are chanted while worshipping the sun.
Legend says that the sages
and rishis of that era used this method in order to restrain from any external
means of food and gain energy directly from the rays of the sun.
Significance of Chhath Puja
Hindu festivals and rituals
are closely attached to science. Like other Hindu festivals and rituals,
Chhath puja also has its scientific importance.
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Significance of Chhath Puja |
Devotees keep fasts during
Chhath puja. Keeping fast during Chhath puja is not easy. Not a single drop of
water is allowed to be drink during fasting. This helps to bring back our mind and
body to a peaceful state. Keeping fast also makes the body free from negative
energies. This traditional festival showers upon you positivity and helps in
detoxifying your mind, soul, and body
Four Days of Chhath Puja
Since the festival is
celebrated over four days, each day has its own importance.
The first day is known as Nahay-Khay.
The second day is known as Lohanda and Kharna.
The third day is known as Sandhy Argha.
The fourth day is known as Usha Arghya.
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4 Days of Chhath Puja |
Let us know in detail.
Nahay Khay- First Day of Chhath Puja
The word ‘Nahay Khay’ is
originated from the Local language “Bhojpuri” of Bihar and Purvanchal religion in
Uttar Pradesh. The Meaning of Nayah Khay means “Bath and Eat”.
Nahay Khay is the like
guidelines to prepare our mind and body peaceful and purified before the actual
puja. On the first day of the Chhath Puja, the devotees have to take bath in
the holy river.
The person has to cook a proper meal for
themselves on this day. “Kaddu-Bhaat” along with “Channa Daal” is a common
preparation on this day.
There is also some
restriction to cooking food by using mud or bronze utensils. You have to cook food
on a mud stove by burning dry mango wood pieces.
The ladies observing the
fast can allow themselves only one meal on this day. Know more about the First Day of Chhath Puja. Click here- the First Day of Chhath Puja
Lohanda and Kharna- Second Day of Chhath Puja
On the second day, the
devotees are to observe a fast for the entire day, which they can break just a
while after sunset.
The Parvaitins cook the
whole Prasad on their own which include Kheer (a Special type of dish) and chapatis. They break their fast with this Prasad, after which they have to
fast without water for 36 hours.
Sandhya Arghya- Third Day of Chhath Puja
The third day is spent by preparing the Prasad at home and then in the evening, the entire household of the Vratins accompany them to the riverbank, where they make offerings to the setting sun
.
The females generally wear Sarees
of turmeric yellow color while making their offerings. The evenings are made
even better with the enthusiastic folk songs.
Usha Arghya- Fourth Day of Chhath Puja
Here, on the final day, all
the devotees go to the riverbank before sunrise to make offerings to the rising
sun.
This festival ends when the
Vratins break their 36 hours fast (called Paran) and the relatives come over to
their house to have their share of Prasad
Chhath Puja Preparation
Chhath puja is
considered an important festival in India. As the festival gets closer the preparation
can be seen at various levels.
Government Preparations- Chhath Puja
To facilitate the activities
and rituals, the central government, state government, and local administration
make clear plan to maintain law and order and offers full support, as all the
ghats of the rivers and roads need to be kept spotlessly clean while the whole
city is illuminated.
Chhath
Ghat preparations
The Chhath ghat at the river
bank is properly cleaned and decorated with LED lights. Soundbox is arranged
for cultural programs and song play. Local admiration release advisory to not
enter dip in the water to ensure safety. A temporary boundary is made with
bamboo or metal rods. Boats are kept ready for any emergency situation.
Home
Preparation
Homes are properly cleaned.
All family members purchased or arrange new traditional clothes. Fruits and other
food items are purchased for the Chhath puja rituals. All the puja items are
collected before moving to ghat.
People dress up in
traditional clothes and throng the banks before sunrise, to witness the
'arghya'.
Food During Chhath Puja
Chhath puja is a special
festival covering a variety of food in the ritual. Fruits, cooked food, and
Sugarcanes are the main food prasad for Chhath Puja.
The Chhath Prasad is
traditionally prepared with rice, wheat, dry fruits, fresh fruits, nuts,
jaggery, coconut, and lots and lots of ghee. The food prepared for Chhath Puja
is without salt, onion, and garlic.
Thekua, a
type of food cooked with whole wheat flour is a special part of the Chhath Puja.
You must surely try it if you visit the place during the festival.
Chhath Puja Rituals
The rituals mainly comprise
fasting and chanting prayers on the banks of the Ganges, Yamuna, or any clean
river.
As tradition goes, after
offering the 'arghya' at sunset, devotees and their relatives sing 'geet' and
hyms dedicated to Lord Surya.
Devotees pay obeisance to
the Sun God by offering rice, sugarcane, home-prepared 'Thekua' or wheat cakes, and various fruits in bamboo baskets or 'soop'.
Chhath Puja Celebration
Chhath Puja is unique to the
states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the country of Nepal.
This festival celebrates and
offers gratitude to Lord Surya who represents the permanent source of life and
sustenance on this earth.
As the Sun God manifests his
greatest power in the rising and setting sun, these two significant moments
coincide with the two 'aragyas' or offering of river water to Lord Surya during
the festival.
Chhath puja in Bihar is also
associated with wish-fulfillment when a devotee carries out the rituals of the
puja selflessly.
Chhath puja is overwhelmingly
celebrated in Bihar and is now equally popular in Delhi which boasts of a
massive Bihari migrant population.
Devotional songs are a
significant part of the celebrations associated with Chhath puja.
Jai Chhathi Maiya.!🙏🏻
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