Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and most revered Hindu festivals widely performed in tremendous faith and devotion. This festival is mainly prevalent in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and a part of Nepal. During Chhath Puja, the Sun God, Surya, along with his wife Chhathi Maiya are worshipped, and is very different in its spirituality practice, its emphasis towards the natural element, and focus on pureness both mentally and bodily. Let’s get into the details and see what Chhath Puja 2024 is, its importance, its rituals, and what these practices have been carrying since their inception.
The Religious Importance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja was first started during Vedic ages when the God Surya was worshiped for giving life, strength, and health. It has been said that he gives life to people through food, prosperity, and all other good things, sustaining life on earth. The devotees believe that the Sun is being worshipped with an intention to achieve divine blessings for good health, fertility, and child protection. Chhathi Maiya often symbolizes an incarnation of Goddess Usha, blessing them with children and good health.
Chhath Puja is more than just an act of worship. It symbolizes thanks to nature bounties. Its entire theme is about cleansing both the mind and body combined with simplicity and spirituality. In fact, the ritual takes a form of fierce offering in the whole drama portrayed in the entire show and therefore represents the man nature connection.
The Four Stages of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is performed for four days with different rituals and prayers in each day. These include purifying the body, mind, and soul of people while worshiping Sun God and seeking his blessings over them.
1. Nahay Khay (Day 1): Purification and Simplicity
On the first day of Chhath Puja, everything is a beginning, as this marks the festival with emphasis on purification. Devotees bathe in sacred rivers or water bodies, cleansing themselves of impurities. Houses are cleaned as part of the cleansing process. Simple vegetarian meals are prepared for this day with rice, dal, and pumpkin-based dishes. These are prasad, which epitomize simplicity and purity. This day will set the stage for devotion and discipline throughout the course of the fasting period.
Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2): Fasting and Offering Gratitude
This has to be followed by an abstaining fast on the next day, known as Kharna, where the person neither eats nor drinks until sunset. At sunset, he breaks this fast by kheer (a sweet rice pudding), chapatis, and fruits, which is then offered to the gods and shared within the family and neighbors. After this, a 36-hour nirjala, or waterless, fasting will ensue and marks the continuing phase of spiritual discipline and dedication.
Day 3: Evening Ritual and Worship the Sun
The third day is the most important. The devotees prepare fruits, sweets, and thenkua, a local cookie made of wheat flour and jaggery for the ritual of Sandhya Arghya at river banks or any waterbody. Devotees stand in knee-deep water and offer arghya (water) to the setting sun while singing hymns and devotional songs. This marks the acceptance of the energy of the Sun as it disappears.
4. Usha Arghya: sunrise ritual or breakage of fast
The last day of Chhath Puja, which is Usha Arghya, is celebrated among devotees who collect in front of the rising sun on the river bank offering arghya to it. The ritual denotes life’s rejuvenation and perpetuation of divine favors. On this culmination, the devotees break their fasting and distribute prasad to family and friends.
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