There is special enthusiasm among the devotees regarding the festival of Chhath in Jammu. After Kharna Puja on Saturday, the devotees started a 36-hour waterless fast. Arghya will be offered to the setting sun on Sunday evening and the rising sun on Monday morning.
Jammu: The splendor of Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk faith, is also visible in Jammu. After receiving the Prasad of Kharna on Saturday, the devotees started a waterless fast of 36 hours. Evening Arghya will be offered today, Sunday, 15th November. For this, Chhath Ghats have been decorated in different areas of the city. Preparations have been made to welcome the devotees and worship from Bari Brahmana to Trikuta Nagar.
The most difficult fast started after Kharna
On Saturday, November 14, the second day of Chhath Puja, fasting families in Jammu celebrated Kharna as per tradition. Preparations for puja and making Prasad continued in homes since morning. In the evening, after worshiping Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya, the devotees took Prasad.
Kheer was prepared from jaggery, rice and milk for Kharna. Along with this, wheat flour bread and banana prasad were also offered. After completion of the puja, prasad was distributed among other members of the family.
After this ritual, the waterless fast of the devotees started. During this period they do not consume water along with food. This fast will be broken on Monday morning after offering Arghya to the rising sun.
Chhath fast is observed with the wish of family happiness, long life and good health of children. In this, special care is taken of cleanliness and traditions of worship.
Today the first Arghya will be offered to the setting sun.
Sunday is the third day of Chhath Puja. This is called Sandhya Arghya. On this day, devotees reach the river, pond or built Chhath ghats with their families. At the time of sunset, Arghya is offered to Lord Sun by standing in water.
Thekua, coconut, banana, sugarcane and other seasonal fruits are kept in bamboo soup and daura for puja. Many families prepare complete Prasad from their homes and take it to the ghat.
A special tradition of Chhath is that both the setting and rising sun are worshipped. After the evening Arghya on Sunday evening, the devotees will reach the ghat again on Monday morning.
Arrangements for decoration and puja at Chhath Ghats of Jammu
In view of the great festival of Chhath, preparations have been made in many areas of Jammu including Digyana, Trikuta Nagar, Gangyal, Sidhada and Bari Brahmana. Ghats and places of worship have been decorated so that devotees can perform their rituals in a traditional manner.
Arrangements have been made for a large scale event at the CIDCO ground in Bari Brahmana. A temporary reservoir has been created here for worship. Pandals, colorful lights and welcome gates have been installed around it.
Arrangements for devotional music and Prasad distribution have also been made at the venue. According to Sanjay Kumar Poddar of Bihar Seva Samiti Jammu, preparations are being made to welcome the devotees coming to CIDCO grounds with shower of flowers.
Chhath puja shopping increased the brightness of the markets
There was hustle and bustle in the markets of Jammu regarding the puja. On Saturday, devotees were seen buying puja items in the special Chhath market organized in Trikuta Nagar Extension.
There was demand for fruits, coconut, sugarcane, bananas, earthen pots, soup and daura in the markets of Bari Brahmana also. Many people came to buy the necessary items for making Thekua.
Most of the prasad used in Chhath Puja is prepared at home. This is the reason why during the festival many family members come together and make preparations for the puja.
It will end with Usha Arghya on Monday morning.
The last ritual of the four-day long Chhath Mahaparva will take place on Monday, November 16. In the morning, at the time of sunrise, the devotees will reach the ghats and offer Arghya to the rising sun.
After this, prayers will be prayed to Chhathi Maiya for the happiness and prosperity of the family. On completion of the puja, the devotees will end their waterless fast by taking Prasad. This is called Parana.
Chhath festival, especially celebrated in Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, has now taken the form of a mass event in Jammu also. Along with the families of Purvanchal living here, other devotees also participate in this festival.
For correct information about Chhath Puja date, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, see local almanac. Devotees visiting the ghat should also keep in mind the arrangements and security related instructions of the organizing committees.