A representative image of Chhath Puja.
Credit: iStock Photo
India's one of the oldest and most sacred festival, Chhath Puja is a Hindu vedic festival, predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
It is a very old Hindu festival, prayed to honor the god, "Sun", also known as "Surya Dev" in Hindi, and goddess "Chhathi Maiya", who is prayed to as Surya Dev's younger wife, and also the protector goddess of the society.
This four-day festival, six days after Diwali, is a festival honoring the life-giving power of the Sun and a thanksgiving for spreading life on this earth.
People are getting ready to celebrate the Chhath Puja between October 25 and October 28, this year.
However, the festival is celebrated in the country twice annually, during the month of Chaitra (March-April), and Kartika (October-November).
Significance of Chhath Puja
The Chhath Puja as per Hindu mythology happens during Suklapaksh of Kartika month, that is the waxing moon period of 15 days from new moon to full moon, and is regarded as one of the most auspicious time of the year.
Besides strong religious beliefs and faith, this festival is celebrated to bring harmony, and peace with nature and green living.
Chhath rituals are said to be conducted to show gratitude to the Sun, and also for the well-being of everyone's health, and prosperity.
Besides this, Chhath Puja also symbolizes some of the scientific beliefs. Scientists have claimed that UV rays of the sun during sunrise and sunset are at their weakest and therefore named as the best rays to purify the body and mind in order to get rid of all the negative energies within.
How is it celebrated
Chhath vratis or followers hard fast (even without water sometimes) for almost 36 hours, and pray while taking holy baths in the rivers, or ponds, and offer arghya to the morning and evening Sun.
Women sing Geet (regional, cultural songs) in groups surrounded by their family members and enjoy the festivities' happiness at the Ghaat (rivers or ponds).
At the end of the festival (fourth day), the fast is broken by eating the holy prasad (thekua), and a range of plain, home-based food.
When will it be celebrated
The four-day Chhath Puja rituals include, Nahay Khay (sacred bathing for purity), Kharna (fasting and jaggery kheer offering in prasad), Sandhya Arghya (evening jal offering towards the sunset), and Usha Arghya (early morning jal offering to the sunrise).
This year, rituals start from October 25- Nahay Khay, October 26- Kharna, October 27- Sandhya Arghya, and end on October 28- Usha Arghya.