Chhath Puja 2023: As the festival season starts one by one our excitement for the festival celebration can be felt. Indian festivals are diverse as per their religion, culture, and location. A Hindu Vedic festival originating from Bihar state is the main exciting festival for northern Indians. This festival is known as Chhath Puja. We will know many more things about this interesting Indian festival in this blog.
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Chhath Puja 2022 |
Cleaning river banks, shopping for fruits, mastering prasad, devotion, chhatri maiya songs, and many more are the exciting things for which we plan and prepare, and celebrate. Women offer Arghya by fasting and offerings to the Sun god in knee-deep water.
Meaning of Chhath Puja
Chhath is a Hindi word. Chhath means ‘six’. Since the festival is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartika month, the festival is named the same. The festival has many names such as Chhath Parva, Chhath Puja, Dala Chhath, Dala Puja, and Surya Shashthi.
Keeping fast during Chhath puja is not easy. Devotees keep fast during Chhath puja for 36 hours. Not a single drop of water is allowed to be drunk during fasting.
Chhath Puja History
The history of Chhath Puja dates 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 worshiping 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, Chhath puja also has its scientific importance.
Wish Fulfillment Festival
This festival is associated with wish fulfillment when a devotee carries out the rituals of the puja selflessly.
Sun Festival in India
Chhath Puja is a Sun festival. Devotees generally pray at the riverbank during sunrise or sunset. It is scientifically proven the fact that solar energy has the lowest level of Ultraviolet radiation during these two times and it is really beneficial for the body.
Ancient Vedic Festival
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival uniquely associated with the powerful Gods Sun and Chhathi Maiya. It is the only Vedic festival dedicated to God’s Sun.
Refinement of Mind & Body
People Keep fasting during Chhath puja for 36 hours without a single drop of water. 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 you with positivity and helps in detoxifying your mind, soul, and body.
Chaiti Chhath & Kartik Chhath
The Chhath Puja is celebrated over four days and twice a year. Once in the summer and is known as Chaiti Chhath and the second time during the winter season and is known as Kartik Chhath. Let us know in detail.
Kartik Chhath
Kartik 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. The festival comes twice a year but Kartik Chhath is celebrated with much pomp and excitement.
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 summer and is commonly known as Chaiti Chhath. This is celebrated a few days after Holi. Know more about the Indian Festival Holi
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Chhath Puja Preparation
Kartik Chhath puja is celebrated just after the Diwali festival. Thus, the preparation for Chhath puja starts just after the Diwali celebration. As the festival gets closer the preparation can be seen at various levels. The devotees who observe the fast during this festival are called Vrati.
Chhath Puja Festival Shopping
All family members purchased or arranged new traditional clothes. Fruits and other food items are purchased for the Chhath puja rituals. All the puja items are collected before moving to the ghat.
Decoration of Chhath Puja Ghat
The Chhath ghat at the river bank is properly cleaned and decorated with LED lights. Soundbox is arranged for cultural programs and song play. All the ghats of the rivers and roads need to be kept spotlessly clean while the whole city is illuminated.
Government Preparations- Chhath Puja
To facilitate the activities and rituals, the central government, state government, and local administration make special plans to maintain law and order and offer full support.
Local admiration releases an 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.
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| Significance of Chhath Puja |
Chhath Puja- A Sun Festival in India
Chhathi Maiya is known to be the sister of God Sun. This festival celebrates and offers gratitude to Lord Surya. Through this festival, people aim towards thanking the Sun God for a period of four days. Sun is worshiped in order to promote the well-being, development, and prosperity of human beings. Indians celebrate many Sun festivals throughout the year. Sun is supposed to be the source of all power, energy, and life. Know more about the Sun festival in India.
Chhath Puja – An Important Festival of North India
 Chhath is one of the important festivals of North India. Chhath puja is known as the festival of Bihar. Chhath puja is overwhelmingly celebrated in Bihar. Now equally popular in Delhi which boasts a massive Bihari migrant population.
Recent trends have shown that Chhath Puja is now celebrated across all states. Chhath Puja is unique to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh,
The festival is being celebrated not only in India but in some other parts of the world. Nepal, Russia, Britain, America, and Canada are some of the countries where Indians celebrate Chhath Puja by following the same Indian cultural belief and traditions and carrying Indian culture and tradition to other countries.
Chhath Puja Celebration
Chhath Maiya Songs
Devotional songs are an essential part of the Hindu festival celebration. People enjoy their festivals by playing devotional songs to create a festival environment. During 4 days of Chhath puja, we can listen to Chaath Maiya songs in almost every Hindu family.
Traditional Indian Fairs
Traditional Indian Fairs (or Mela) are an essential part of Indian Festivals. On the occasion of Chhath Puja, Traditional Fair is organized at various Chhath puja ghat. Here is the list of Indian fairs or Mela you should know about. To know more about India Mela, Visit here:- Traditional Indian Fairs (Mela)
Main Attraction of Chhath Puja
Thekua, Bamboo Basket, Chhath Devotional Songs, Vedi of Chhath Puja, Sugarcane, 36 hours fast, Argya on Sunset and sunrise
