Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival historically native to the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Nepalese provinces of Madhesh and Lumbini. Prayers during Chhath puja are dedicated to the solar deity, Surya, to show gratitude and thankfulness for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request that certain wishes be granted. Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti and Lord Surya’s sister is worshipped as the Goddess of the festival. It is celebrated six days after Deepavali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November) in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat. The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (vrata), standing in water, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun. Some devotees also perform a prostration march as they head for the river banks.
Environmentalists have claimed that the festival of Chhath is one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals in the World. All devotees prepare similar prasad (religious food) and offerings. Although the festival is observed most widely in the Terai region of Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, it is also prevalent in areas where the diaspora and migrants from those areas have a presence. It is celebrated in all northern regions and major north Indian urban centers like Delhi. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrate it in Mumbai.
Legends Behind the Festival Celebration
There is a legend that Chhath was celebrated because the times of Mahabharat, Draupadi, the wife of Pandava Kings, performed Chhath Puja. Once during the long exile from their kingdom, thousands of wandering hermits visited their hut. Being devout Hindus, the Pandavas were obliged to feed the monks. But as exiles, the Pandavas were not in a position to offer food to so many hungry hermits. Seeking a quick solution, Draupadi approached Saint Dhaumya, who advised her to worship Surya and observe the rituals of the Chhath for prosperity and abundance.
Some texts linked with the Holy epic Ramayana resembles the association of Lord Rama and Sita. According to the texts, Rama and Sita offered prayers to the god of light-sun after getting back from the 14 years long exile. On the month of Kartika Shukla Paksha, Rama and Sita offered their prayers to Sun from Ayodhya. This festival then emerged as a significant tradition of worshipping the Sun. This festival is remarkably observed after Deepawali and lasts for four days.
Process of Chhath Puja
In the holy rivers of India and Nepal, Chhath Puja embarks a lot of pilgrims and devotees. This festival commemorates the existence of life on earth and well being of the family and conjugal life.
The festival is celebrated mainly on four steps, on four days. The fasting by abstaining the water, foods and fruits, taking a holy bath, offering the prayers to the Sun during dawn and dusk and meditation in the holy rivers by standing in the water. The Surya Namaskar is performed by the devotees to rising and setting sun.
The major process of Chhath puja involves four steps that praise the Sun god. Nahay Khay, Lohanda, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya are the major procession of Chhath Puja.
Nahay Khay: It is the first step on the first day of Chhath Puja. During Nahay Khay, the devotees take a holy dip in the holy rivers in the early morning. After taking a holy dip in the rivers, devotees prepare a meal for themselves. The special meal for this day is made by using bronze utensils. The major meal eaten this day is Kaddu Bhat and dal of Chana. The women who take fasting this day eat a meal for the only time in the evening.
Lohanda and Kharna: This is the process on the second day of Chhath Puja. This is also the major day where the fasting for Chhath begins. People take holy bath and offer prayers to the Sun in the evening time. The prasad (holy feast) is made up of Kheer (pudding rice), puris and fruits. The prasad is consumed after performing Puja to the Sun. The women, who keep fasting in Chhath, offer the prasad to Chhathi Maiya and after offering they distribute and consume the prasad in a Banana leaf. Chhathi Maiya is believed to be the sister of Sun.
Sandhya Arghya (Evening Prayers): In the banks of the holy river, devotees along with the family members offer Arghya to the rising sun in the morning time. Devotees worship Chhathi Maiya and distribute the Prasad. The enchantments of the holy singings dedicated to the Chhathi Maiya is done in the night time. In this day people make wishes and take an oath by lying down on the ground saluting the sun, after the process, people take holy bath in the Chhath River.
Usha Arghya (Morning Prayers) and Paran: This is the last day of Chhath Festival. In this day, people give offerings to the rising Sin. Early morning, people gather in the holy river and wait for the sun to rise and folklores are performed to please Chhathi Maiya. The Arghas kept in Supali is given to the Sun in the morning. After offering prayers to the Sun, devotees take blessings of the elders. The morning prayers are known as Usha Arghya and post prayers Prasad is prepared and offered to the devotees and family members. This process is known as Paran.
In Nepal, Chhath is celebrated in the Terai region, especially in the eastern part. It is celebrated auspiciously in Rani Pokhari of Kathmandu and some of the major parts in Birgunj and Biratnagar etc. It is a festival of Joy and sentiments. Devotees worship the sun and offer them with sacred water and fruits and Prasad. There is a huge fair on the banks of rivers and ponds.
Benefits of Chhath Puja
Photo-electro-chemical effect: physical benefits
The Chhath practice improves the immunity of the Vratti’s body.
Antiseptic effect: Safe radiation of sunlight can help cure fungal and bacterial infections of the skin.
Raktavardhak (increase in fighting power of blood): As a consequence of the practice of Chhath, the energy infused in the blood stream improves the performance of white blood cells.
The solar energy has a great influence on the glands, which results in balanced secretion of hormones.
Energy requirements are met by the solar energy directly. This will further detoxify the body.
Photo-electro-psychic effects: mental benefits
A state of creative calmness will prevails in the mind.
To a great extent, all negative responses have their origin in the disturbed flow of prana. With the pranic flow regularized, the duration and frequency of occurrences of anger, jealousy, and other negative emotions will be reduced.
With patient and sincere practice, the psychic powers like intuition, healing, and telepathy awaken. This depends on the concentration with which the practice is undertaken.
Daily sun meditation (Chhath process)
In the fast lifestyle of the present times, it may not be possible to follow the Chhath process very often. The detoxification can be undertaken through pranayam, yoga, meditation and Conscious Photoenergization Process known as Chhath Dhyan Sadhana (CDS).
Chhath Dhyan Sadhana (CDS): Conscious Photoenergization Process
Assume a comfortable position (standing or sitting) with back and spine straight. With eyes closed, face the Sun. Inhale completely, as slowly as possible. Do not strain in making the breathing slow. Maintain your comfort level. As you breath in, visualize (feelingly experience) the cosmic solar energy entering through your eyes and moving to the pineal gland through optic nerves and charging the pineal–pituitary–hypothalamus complex. Now, as you exhale, visualize the cosmic solar energy flowing down the pineal gland and spreading throughout your body with a revitalizing effect.
Thus, the process starts with inhalation and ends in exhalation. This constitutes one round. It is suggested to start with five rounds (two minutes), and increase if time permits. On completion of the practice, thank the Sun for bestowing upon you the life giving solar energy. Thereafter, sit quietly for a minute, observing the good things in the environment around.
CDS should be practiced within one-hour window after sunrise or within one-hour window before sunset. Any person of any age can practice CDS. If you wish to practice CDS at any time other than sunrise or sunset, do not practice it in front of Sun. You can however, practice CDS in a room. Even a bed-ridden person can try and consciously draw in the solar energy while lying on the bed. With regular practice, he/she will notice an improvement in physical and mental health. For those who are not comfortable facing the sun, they can practice the technique in any room having proper ventilation. If you have time, you can also practice twice a day. Do not hurry in increasing the number of rounds, as there is no shortcut to success in this method. The nervous system of the body takes its own time in adapting and to be able to receive the energy.
Significance of emphasis on sunrise and Sunset periods
Only sunrise and sunset are the periods during which the majority of humans can safely obtain the solar energy directly from the Sun. However, there may be some exceptions. That is why, in Chhath puja, there is a tradition of offering Arghya to the Sun in late evening and in early morning. During these phases (one hour window after sunrise and before sunset), the ultraviolet radiation levels remain in safe limits.
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