Chhath Puja is a traditional Hindu festival primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. It's dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess of energy and motherhood. Lasting for four days, devotees observe rigorous rituals including fasting, holy bathing, and offering prayers to the rising and setting sun. Women, especially, play a significant role in performing the puja, seeking blessings for the well-being and prosperity of their families. Chhath Puja holds cultural significance as a time of gratitude towards nature and reverence for the Sun God.
Chhath Puja 2024 will be observed on November 5, with ceremonial feasting and bathing. Fasting will follow on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Devotees will offer prayers to the Sun God, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and well-being. This ancient festival is marked by rigorous rituals and a deep sense of devotion, reflecting the cultural richness of the region.
The festival's tough rituals are performed over the course of four days. The customs include taking a holy bath, fasting and not drinking water (known as Vratta), standing in the water for extended periods of time, and presenting Arghya and Prasad (prayer offerings) to the rising and setting sun. As they make their way to the riverbanks, some of the followers also march in prostration.
The ritual of Chhath Puja begins on the first day with a bath and meal.
This festival's second day consists of a vrat, or daylong fast, ending in an evening puja or worship. Devotees, or vrattis, refrain from eating or drinking anything until after Chhathi Maiya is worshipped in the evening on this day. During this day's evening worship, puris or chapattis are used to make rasaio, which is then served as a Prasad to Chhathi Maiya. Using the same Prasad, vrattis break their daylong fast.
Preparations are made for Puja Samagri, Prasad, and offerings to the Sun God for Evening Arghya on the third day.
The last and ultimate step is to present the Sun God with Suryodhaya or Bihaniya Arghya. On this day, people worship the rising sun, break their 36-hour fast, and distribute prasad to friends and family.
On Chhath Puja, chanting the sacred mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" holds profound significance, invoking the divine presence of Lord Krishna. This mantra resonates with spiritual energy, fostering inner peace and harmony while connecting devotees with the divine consciousness.
The Chhath Puja Mantra, often recited during the rituals, is "ॐ सूर्याय नमः" (Om Suryaya Namah), meaning 'I bow to the Sun God'. It's believed to invoke the blessings of Surya Deva for health, prosperity, and longevity. Chanting sun mantra during the puja is thought to cleanse the mind, body, and soul, while also fostering a deeper connection with nature and divine energies. The benefits of reciting mantra include inner peace, spiritual upliftment, and the fulfillment of wishes, as devotees express gratitude to the source of light and life.
The literal translation of "Nahay Khay" is "Bath and Eat." This term symbolises the main events of the first day of Chhath Puja, highlighting the significance of ceremonial cleansing and eating vegetarian food to mark the start of the celebration
Bathing: Before the day begins, devotees bathe in a river or
another water body. This represents purification—both physical and
spiritual. The sacredness of the rite is increased by the fact that
bathing water is frequently obtained from a holy source.
Eating Satvik cuisine: Devotees prepare and eat satvik cuisine,
which is vegetarian and pure and free of tamasic components like garlic
and onions, after taking a bath. Usually, rice, lentils, and seasonal
vegetables are served with the meal. To preserve the piety of the rite,
it is prepared in a hygienic setting and eaten immediately after being
offered to the deity.
The "Nahay Khay" rite, which opens Chhath Puja, establishes the tone for the entire celebration. In addition to being physical, the purifying process is also spiritual, preparing the followers for the subsequent strict fasting and prayer schedule. Devotees seek to purify their body and soul so they can worship the Sun God by washing oneself and eating only pure food. This first purification ritual represents the removal of negativity and impurities, ushering in the festival with a spirit of rebirth and devotion
'Kharna' or 'Lohanda' denotes the second day of Chhath Puja, which is characterized by a full day of fasting and getting ready for the ceremonies. 'Kharna' and 'Lohanda' are frequently used synonymously, indicating the regional differences in how the event is celebrated. 'Lohanda' stresses the day's preparations, whilst 'Kharna' precisely refers to the cleansing process through fasting and the nighttime ritual.
Details of the Fasting Rituals and the Evening Prasad Preparation:
Fasting Rituals: Strict fasting is observed by devotees from sunrise to sundown. They fast at this time and do not eat or drink anything. Fasting is observed with great dedication and is said to be a way to cleanse the body and spirit.
Evening Prasad Preparation: Devotees prepare a special prasad in the evening to commemorate the end of the partial fast following the daylong fast. Typically, the prasad consists of fruits, puris (fried wheat bread), and kheer, a rice dessert cooked with milk and jaggery. This prasad is made with the ingredients of highest quality, purity and cleanliness. When the prasad is prepared, it is offered to the Sun God as part of an evening ritual, and the devotees consume it to break their fast.
Importance of This Day in Setting the Tone for the Main Puja:
An important part of Chhath Puja is 'Kharna' or 'Lohanda,' the second day, which sets the spiritual tone for the major puja. The strict fasting followed on this day demonstrates the devotion and faith of the believer. Participants purify themselves physically and spiritually by going through this fasting period and lovingly prepare the evening prasad, bringing their bodies and minds into alignment with the divine. This day prepares the mind and the body for the lengthy and rigorous fast that comes next, bringing about increased devotion, discipline, and cleanliness required for the ceremonies that come after.
Explanation of 'Sandhya Arghya' and Its Timing: 'Sandhya Arghya' means 'Evening Offering.' It is performed at sunset, as devotees gather at water bodies to make offerings to the setting sun.
Description of Rituals:
Gathering: Devotees assemble at riverbanks or ponds, decorated with flowers and lights.
Preparation: They carry baskets with fruits, sugarcane, turmeric, rice, and prasad, along with clay lamps and incense sticks.
Offering Arghya: At sunset, devotees stand in the water and pour out water from a vessel while reciting prayers, offering their arghya to the Sun God.
Lighting Lamps: Clay lamps are lit and set afloat, creating a serene and sacred ambiance.
Significance: Offering arghya to the setting sun expresses gratitude for its life-giving energy and seeks blessings for health and prosperity. This ritual purifies the soul, removes sins, and fosters a sense of unity and cultural heritage among devotees.
Meaning of 'Usha Arghya' and Its Early Morning Timing: 'Usha Arghya' translates to 'Offering at Dawn.' This ritual is performed at sunrise, marking the conclusion of Chhath Puja. Devotees rise early to offer prayers and arghya to the rising sun, symbolizing new beginnings and the renewal of life.
Detailed Account of the Rituals Performed as the Sun Rises:
Preparation: Devotees gather at the same water bodies where they performed the evening arghya. They carry baskets filled with offerings like fruits, sugarcane, and prasad.
Offering Arghya: As the sun begins to rise, devotees stand in the water and pour out water from a vessel while reciting prayers and hymns dedicated to the Sun God. The rising sun is greeted with devotion and reverence.
Completion: After the arghya, devotees break their fast by consuming the prasad. This is followed by distributing prasadam among family members and the community.
Significance of This Final Offering in Concluding the Chhath Puja: The 'Usha Arghya' is the final and most significant ritual of Chhath Puja. It symbolizes gratitude for the renewal of life and the blessings of the Sun God. This offering marks the end of the rigorous fasting and rituals, and it is believed to bring prosperity, health, and harmony to the devotees. The act of offering prayers to the rising sun represents hope, new beginnings, and the cyclical nature of life, reinforcing the spiritual and cultural values of the festival.
Some claim that Chhath Puja is the oldest celebration, possibly even older than the Vedas itself because the Rigveda had Sun worship songs and practices that are comparable to those of this festival. The Mahabharata also mentions these rites, with Draupadi depicted carrying out comparable rites. The Pandavas and Draupadi followed the Chhath ceremonies on the wise counsel of Dhaumya. Worshiping the Sun helped the Pandavas reclaim their kingdom by providing solutions to many of Draupadi's issues.
This festival's scientific and yogic origins can be traced back to the Vedic era, when rishis and academics utilized this method to survive without food while absorbing solar energy. It was called the Chhath Method. Also, according to certain ancient texts, when Lord Rama and Sita were coronated following their return from banishment, they conducted a fast and performed sun worship in the Kartika month during the Shukla Paksha.
These days, the majority of the world celebrates Chhath in India and Nepal. This event is typically celebrated with great fervor in the Madhesh area of Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. As a thank you for life on Earth, this festival is devoted to the Sun and his younger wife Usha. Thus, there is absolutely no idol worship! Some Muslims observe Chhath as well. Since there is no idol worship, there is no need to build idols out of plastic, paint, metal, or other materials, then submerge those idols in nearby sources of water, which pollutes the area. For this reason, environmentalists consider this festival to be the most environmentally benign Hindu celebration.
In Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Nepali, the word "chhath" indicates sixth. The term Chhath Puja comes from the fact that this event is held on the sixth day of the Hindu Luni-Solar Bikram Sambat calendar month of Kartikeya. After Navratri, this holiday is the longest and most significant for Hindus. It derives its Prakrit name from the Sanskrit term "Sashthi." It is four days long.
In addition to the religious importance of giving thanks to the Sun for a prosperous life, the rituals of these celebrations have scientific value. There is a reason why the ceremonies include standing or praying by the river for extended periods of time. The sun's beams are most beneficial at sunrise and dusk because these are the times when their UV rays are at their lowest. Then, by eliminating all bad energy, these solar beams aid in purifying the body, mind, and soul.
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