Kathmandu, November 10
Chhath puja is here and the festive fervor can be felt everywhere. This year the four-day festival begins from 8th November 2021 to 11th November 2021. It is celebrated in Nepal and India, this four-day festival is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.
Chhath Puja falls after six days of Diwali in the Kartik month. The festival begins with Nahay Khay which is followed by a 36-hour long nirjala fast and ends by offering Usha Arghya.
Thousands of people gather near water sources to celebrate the Chhath festival every year. It has been many years since the festival which used to be traditionally celebrated in the Mithila regions of Nepal and India only.
Not only the people from the Mithila community celebrate this festival, but many locals of the valley and other immigrants here also participate in the Chhath puja and worship the sun.
Chhath Puja holds a special place in the Hindu mythology and it is believed that following the puja with utmost dedication can help in removing obstacles, bring prosperity and happiness to the family.
According to the Hindu mythology, Chhath Puja originated from the Rig Veda. It was also believed that Draupadi and Pandavas celebrated this festival in Hastinapur to solve their feudal problems and get back their lost kingdom.
As per ancient belief, the festival of Chhath puja was first performed by Karna, the son of Lord Surya and Kunti. Karna was the ruler of Anga Desh, which is now known as Bhagalpur, Bihar. This was one of the reasons why this festival is predominantly celebrated in Nepal and India.
Chhath Puja Rituals
On this day the devotees must take a holy bath early in the morning. Wear new and clean clothes, offer prasad to Lord Surya. Food plays an important role in this festival as every day the prasad offered to the God is different.
On the first day, the prasad includes Kaddoo Bhaat and Chana dal. The prasad prepared on the second day is known as Kharna, which is basically a sweet kheer made with gur(jaggery) and arwa chawal.
After eating the Kharna prasad, the devotees follow a nirjala fast without water for two days. Chhath puja fasting is observed for 36 hours, which lasts for 4 days. The fast is observed throughout the night and it continues till sunrise of the next day.
There are several types of sweets and delicacies prepared on Chhath puja, but some of the popular ones Thekua, Rasiaw to name a few. Most of the delicacies are made with ingredients that are rich in proteins such as jaggery, ghee and wheat flour.
Foods are prepared at home and consumed at sunset along with family members offering Arghya to Lord Surya in the water tank.
From singing folk songs to chanting mantras, devotees offer prayers to the Sun God.
The fourth day of Chhath puja is known as Paran Din, where the devotees offer Usha Arghya or Dusri Argya to the sun while they step inside a water body like lake, river or a temporary tank. After the puja the prasad is distributed to friends and family.
Puja Vidhi
Nahay Khay
The first day of Chhat puja begins with the tradition of Nahay Khay, wherein the devotees observe fast by taking a holy dip in Ganga (water body) and can consume only 1 meal in the day.
The auspicious time begins early morning around sunrise and continues till sunset.
Kharna
The second day of Chhath puja is known as the Kharna. On this day the nirjala fast begins from sunrise and continues till sunset. The fast is completed by offering food to the Sun God and Chhathi Mata. The auspicious time begins around sunrise and continues till sunset.
Sandhya Arghya
On the third day devotees observe nirjala fast, which is known as Sandhya Arghya. On this day Arghya is offered to the Sun God. The Sandhya Arghya starts at sunrise and auspicious time for sunset.
Usha Arghya
The fourth day is the celebration of the auspicious Chhath puja also known as the Usha Arghya. On this day the Arghya is offered to the rising sun and the 36 hours fast is ended on this day by offering prayers to the Sun God.
FACEBOOK COMMENTS