Chhath Puja is a traditional celebration that spans across four days, starting from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and concluding on kartik shukla Saptami. This vibrant festival is observed twice a year.
Chhath is an ancient and revered Hindu festival deeply rooted in the traditions of the Indian Subcontinent. It holds particular significance in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, as well as the Nepalese autonomous provinces of Koshi, Madhesh, and Lumbini.
This cultural celebration revolves around Chhath Puja, a ritualistic worship dedicated to the solar deity, Surya.
Devotees actively engage in prayers, expressing profound gratitude for the abundant blessings of life bestowed upon the earth by the radiant sun.
Through vibrant rituals and offerings, they actively seek the favor of Surya. Not only to acknowledge the gifts of life but also to earnestly request the fulfillment of specific wishes.
The Chhath Puja is a dynamic and spirited occasion where devotees passionately dedicate their offerings to invoke a cascade of blessings from the solar deity.
This active participation symbolizes the deep connection between the worshipper and the cosmic forces. As they actively engage with the divine to manifest their hopes and aspirations.
Date: Kartik Shukla Shasthi, 25th March to 28 March(Chaiti), 17th Nov to 20th Nov(Katiki).
Frequency: Annual.
Why do we celebrate Chhath puja?
The Chhath festival is a traditional Hindu celebration dedicated to the worship of the Sun god, also known as Surya Dev or Surya Bhagwan.
We mark this festive occasion six days after Tihar, or Diwali/Deepawali. It derives its name, Surya Shasthi Vart, as it falls on the sixth day of the shukla paksha in the Hindu lunar month of Kartika.
During this festival, we venerate Chhathi Maiya, the sixth incarnation of Devi Prakriti and Lord Surya’s sister. Celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October-November) in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat, the rituals span four days.
Devotees actively engage in practices such as holy bathing, fasting, observing vrata (abstaining from drinking water), standing in water, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.
Environmentalists acclaim this festival as one of the most eco-friendly religious celebrations globally. Because this festival does not pollute the environment.
The festival is celebrated extensively in Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. However, it is also commonly observed in regions where people from these areas have migrated or settled.
Chhath Puja rituals
Day 1(Nahaay Khaay)
On the first day of Chhath Puja, devotees, known as Parvaitin, actively take a holy bath. Afterward, they actively clean the entire house, its surroundings, and the pathways to the ghat. The Parvaitin usually actively cooks sattvik Lanka bhaat. A preparation of bottle gourd and Bengal gram lentils with Arva rice. In the afternoon, they actively serve this dish to the deity as bog, marking the initiation of the part. It also actively serves as the last meal for the Parvaitin during Chhath Puja. The Parvaitin actively consumes the food to actively safeguard the mind from thoughts of vengeance.
Rasiaav-Roti or Lohanda, also known as Kharna, marks the second day of Chhath Puja. Devotees observe a strict fast and abstain from drinking water as an offering to the deity. In the evening, they break their fast with a sweet dish called gur ke kheer, also known as Rasiaav, along with Roti.
Day-3(Sandhya arghya)
On this day, devotees actively spend time preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. Which often consists of a bamboo basket decorated with fruits, thekua, and rice laddus. On the eve of this day, the entire household actively accompanies the devotee to a riverbank, pond, or other large body of water to make the arghya offerings to the setting sun.
Day-4 (Pratah arghya)
On the last day of Chhath Puja, at dawn, worshippers travel to the riverbank to offer an arghya to the rising sun. After making this holy offering, parents pray to chhathi maiya for their child’s protection as well as the happiness and peace of their whole family.
Chhath puja 2023
This year, i.e., 2023, Chhath Puja begins on the 17th of November and ends on the 20th of November. Every year, Chhath Puja falls six days after Diwali, and this year, according to the calendar, Chhath Puja is set to begin on the 17th of November.
Celebrate Chhath Puja over four days, each with a different significance as mentioned above. Perform all the rituals in the manner described to receive a cascade of blessings from Lord Surya
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