Chhath Puja

The rituals About ‘chhath puja’ are observed for four days. They involve holy immersion of one’s body with water avoiding hunger and abstaining from drinking water, sitting in the water, praying and an arghya to the setting sun and rising sun. A few worshipers also take part in an adoration procession when they walk towards the banks of the river. It is a significant event in history behind ‘chhath puja’. There is a belief that doing the puja with a degree of education will help eliminate obstacles and bring prosperity and luck to families. The festival is rarely observed throughout Bihar or Uttar Pradesh.

About chhath puja explanatory Features

Chhath puja is in full swing, and the festival is everywhere. This year, the four-day celebration will start in November 2021 and continue through 11th November 2021. Celebrated in states like Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, this four-day festival is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

It occurs after six days of Diwali in the Kartik month. This festival begins with Nahay Khay, associated with a 36-hour long nirjala fast and ends by offering Usha Arghya.

Chhath Puja Rituals and foods prepared

The history behind ‘chhath puja’ says: The worshipper should bathe in a holy bath in the early morning on this day and perform rituals of the chhath puja. Dress in clean and new clothes and praise the Lord Surya. Food is a major factor in this festival, as each day, the praise that is offered to God is different. God is different.

On the first day, the food praised is kaddo Bhat and Chana dal. The dish praised in the following day’s meal is Kharna, primarily sweet kheer made from arwa chawal and gur.

After eating the Kharna to be praised, worshipers observe a nirjala fast with no water for 2 days. The fasting period is 36 hours and will last for four days, and it’s a part of ‘chhath puja’. The fasting is observed through the night and lasts until the dawn of the following day.

There are numerous delicacies, sweets, and desserts made during Chhath puja. However, some are popular. Including Rasiaw, to name just a few. These desserts are made from ingredients rich in proteins, like jaggery, ghee, and wheat flour.

Foods are cooked at home and are served at sunset; families give Arghya in the name of Lord Surya at the water bowl or on the riverbank, which is known in the region of Sandhya Arghya or Pehli Arghya. From singing songs to mantras intoned, worshippers offer requests to God gods of the Sun God.

The fourth-day Chhath puja is called Paran Din, in which the devotees give Usha Dusri Argya or Arghya to the sun as they dip in an aquatic body such as lakes and rivers or an indefinite tank. Following the puja, Prasad is offered to family and friends.

Fasting rules for the festival

Arghya

The day that Chhat begins puja commences by observing the ritual of Nahay Khay, in which the devotees observe a fast by taking a holy bath in Ganga and can only conceive one meal during the daytime in history behind ‘chhath puja.

The muhurat starts early at 6:45 am, just before sunrise and lasts until sunset at 5:25 pm.

Karna

On the second day, Chhath Puja is called the Karna. The Nirjala fast commences at dawn and continues until sunset. The fast is ended by offering food offerings to God of the Sun, Sun God, and Chhathi Mata. The muhurat starts at sunrise, around 6:39 am and continues until sunset, around 5:30 pm.

Sandhya Arghya

On the month’s third day, devotees observe the nirjala fast, known as Sandhya Arghya. On this day, Arghya is presented as the God of the Sun. The Sandhya Arghya begins at 6:40 am when the sun rises, and the sunset muhurta is 5:45 pm.

Usha Arghya

The fourth day of the week is the time to celebrate the sacred Chhath puja, also called the Usha Arghya. On this day, the Arghya is given to the rising sun, and the 36-hour fast is concluded by offering prayer toward God of the Sun. 

Conclusion:

The name Dala Chhath also refers to Chhath Puja. It is celebrated in the belief that the Sun god will fulfil wishes if Pragya is performed with total dedication and devotion. This festival has the intention to show gratitude to the Sun god for providing energy to earth in a continuous manner, making an environment that is suitable for people to live in. Alongside the Sun God, the people also worship Chhathi Maiya during history behind ‘chhath puja. On this day, devotees gather in the ghats near the ponds and rivers to have a holy dip before making offerings. The most common offering is Thekua, a cake made of wheat. Offerings are typically cooked in an earthy Chulha (oven) About ‘chhath puja’. The offering is kept within small semicircle pans made using bamboo strips called soop.