Kartik Chhath Puja 2024
Chhath puja is an important festival in Hinduism that is observed for the worship of the sun god Surya and his sister or maternal aunt Chhathi Maiya. This festival is mostly observed in Indian states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh as well as parts of Nepal. This is a four-day celebration that progresses with each day accompanied by different rituals and offerings. Each day has its own importance:
- Nahay Khay (November 5): The first day – A day of cleansing and purifying rituals.
- Lohanda and Kharna (November 6): Fasting and offering preparation by the observers.
- Sandhya Arghya (November 7): Devotees offer prayers to the sun in the west.
- Usha Arghya and Parana (November 8): All the morning final offerings to the sun of the daybreak are completed and then the fasting commences.
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| Kartik Chhath Puja 2024 |
On Day 1 of Chhath Puja, called Nahay Khay (Bathing and Eating)
The first day of Chhath Puja is referred to as Nahay Khay, which means 'Bathing and Eating'. This is the day when all the devotees join in this festival and start by cleaning themselves and everything around them to get rid of all impurities. This day initiates the worship and devotion of Chhath Maiya the Sun Goddess and Surya Dev or the Sun God.
Important Customs and Rituals:
- Sacred Bathing: The devotees observe this sacred ritual bath in any natural body of water most especially in rivers to signify baptism and purification.
- Succeeding Description of Food Department Activities: The devotee’s houses are then scrupulously cleaned and simple vegetarian food with no or very few condiments, garlic or onion is prepared to keep all the offered food clean.
- First Meal: The usual family meal includes mainly rice, chana dal, and pumpkin curry. This meal is the one that commences the fast of the worshippers.
Nahay Khay is accompanied by the ideas of cleansing and determination which creates the need for a pure structure to the days of fasting and praying that follow.
Day 2 of Chhath Puja, is called Lohanda and Kharna
Chhath Puja Day 2 is called Lohanda and Kharna. During this day, people keep a dry fast, cutting off both food and water intake. This day is significant in strengthening devotion and self-control as it is directed to the Sun God and Chhath Maiya.
Key Rituals and Practices:
- Full-Day Fasting: The devotees do not eat or drink anything from dawn till dusk, even striking the body and the mind to maintain cleanliness, both physically and spiritually.
- Evening Kharna-After performing the evening (Kharna) a simple rice & jaggery pudding and chapatis & fruits are offered in some rice after shawor prayers.
- Sandhya Arghaya ka Samay: After the evening meal, the devotee fills their bowls with arap and other items like fruits, sugarcane, etc. for the next day’s rituals and sabar arghya in the evening insights performance.
This whole day of fasting and devotion is a key day for the bathing of the spirit and the raising of the determination, thus helping to prepare the physical body for the main prayers and offerings, which will take place in the next few days.
On Day 3 of Chhath Puja, called Sandhya Arghya
Sandhya Arghya on the third day of Chhath Puja is all about praying when the Sun departs. This day or moment is too deep in the festival of Chhath as well, for the worshipers provide their regards and thanks to Surya Dev (the sun god) for life and good harvest.
Primary Rituals and Customs:
- Fasting: Devotees observe a 24-hour fast without water and food in a show of great reverence and discipline.
- Preparations of Offerings: There is great attention to detail during the preparation of the offerings (arghya) which include fruits, sage, sweets, and a traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and clarified butter called thekua.
- Visit to Nearby Water Bodies: In the late afternoon, the believers and their families and friends head towards rivers, ponds, or other water bodies. The mood within is energetic with the singing of Chhath folk songs in the backdrop.
- Offering to the SUnset: As the day comes to an end and the sun begins to set, the devotees enter the water and pray as they offer arghya to the sun for good health and happiness with utmost devotion.
So Sandhya Arghya provides a reinforcement to the sense of the community and faith giving thanks all of them being the prelude to the last morning puja offering, Usha Arghya, which is done the following day.
On Day 4 of Chhath Puja, called Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)
The last day of Chhath Puja is celebrated as Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) which is the day dedicated to worshipping the rising sun. The faithful, who are still on a fast, stand at the water body before dawn to offer arghya to the sun who is worshipped at that time as a giver of new vitality, energy, and gratitude towards all the life-giving forces in nature.
Frequently Ask Questions
Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja is observed in the worship of Surya Dev (Son God,) and Chhath Maiya (Sun Goddess) thanking both of them for giving them life on astrology and praying to them for health, wealth, and family happiness.
Why do devotees keep fast in Chhath Puja?
Fasting is an act of self-purification, devotion, and self-control. Some of the devotees go to the extent of observing even a “Nirjal” fast, which means remaining without food as well as water in an attempt to pay utmost respect and to enhance the spiritual bond.
What is Sandhya Arghya in Chhath Puja?
Sandhya Arghya is the procedure in which an offering is made to the setting sun on the third day. Followers assemble at water bodies, offer prayers, and also present fruits and sweets as offerings to the sun.
What is the importance of Usha Arghya?
Usha Arghya, which takes place on the last day, is the morning offering to the sun that rises. It denotes optimism and fresh starts and completes the Chhath Puja with a few prayers to ward off ill fortune.
Why do you think Chhath Puja is predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP?
Chhath Puja is well entrenched in the culture of these areas where the Sun God is traditionally worshipped by the agricultural community for bountiful harvests, good health, and wealth making this celebration very popular in this region.
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