Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja will be celebrated for four days from November 5 to November 8, 2024. The four days are Nahaye Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated in the North Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Chhath puja is a holiday in some states such as Bihar, Delhi, and Jharkhand. Schools might remain closed in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Devotees worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya at this time.
Chhath Puja Traditions
Nahaye Khay (1st Day): November 5
On the first day of Chhath puja, devotees cleanse themselves by taking a bath in rivers like Ganga and Yamuna. After this, kaddu bhat or pumpkin and rice, chana dal and pakoras, are eaten.
Please note that during these 4 days, only consume vegetarian food without garlic or ginger.
Kharna (2nd Day): November 6
Devotees wake up early in the morning and make a delicious prasad of kheer- usually made of jaggery or sugar. After that, vratis start their fast from sunrise to sunset.
Sandhya Arghya (3rd Day): November 7
On the third day of Chhath puja, devotees gather by a riverbank or other water body. They stand in waist-deep water and offer Arghya (an offering) to the setting sun. This offering includes coconut, sacred water, milk, flowers, and traditional foods like thekua (a special Chhath Puja delicacy).
Usha Arghya
On the fourth and final day of Chhath puja, devotees gather before sunrise to offer Usha Arghya to the rising sun, marking the end of their fast and concluding the ritual. Standing in the water, they present offerings similar to those from the previous evening, including coconut, sacred water, milk, and fruits.
This final offering honors the dawn and symbolizes the renewal of hope, prosperity, and well-being for their families and communities.
Chhath Puja History- Mythological Tales
The story of Shree Ram and Sita- Ramayana
When Shree Ram returned home after rescuing Sita from Ravana, he had to eliminate the sin of killing Ravana which is why rajsuya yagya had to be performed. The Rajsuya Yagya is a royal sacrifice performed in ancient Hindu tradition to establish the supremacy of a king and cleanse him of sins incurred during battles.
Thus, Sita maa kept a fast on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla and worshipped the sun god on the advice of Mugdal Rishi. Thus, many say that the origin of Chhath started from here.
Draupadi- Mahabharata
As per Hindu mythology, Draupadi kept a fast and worshipped the Sun god for her five husbands. This is apparently what led to the regaining of the lost kingdom so many say that the origin of Chhath puja is from Mahabharat.
The Story of King Priyamvad
Once upon a time, King Priyamvad and his wife, Queen Malini, were heartbroken as they longed for a child but remained childless. Seeking help, they approached Maharishi Kashyap, who performed a sacred Putrayeshti Yagya and gave Queen Malini a bowl of kheer as a blessing for a child.
Although she gave birth to a son, he was born lifeless, plunging the king into deep sorrow. Devastated, King Priyamvad took his son’s body to the crematorium, where he met Devsena, a goddess born from the sixth part of creation.
She introduced herself as Shashthi, the goddess of children, and advised him to observe a fast in her honor on the Shashthi of Shukla Paksha in Kartik month. Following her guidance, the king performed the rituals faithfully, and soon after, his wish was fulfilled with the birth of a healthy son.
Things You Must Not Do During Chhath Puja
- No non-veg, garlic and onions during Chhath puja!
- You need to be completely clean and offer Arghya to the Sun god before eating.
- Always wear clean and fresh clothes during Chhath puja.
- Avoid consuming leftovers from previous meals. Each meal should be freshly prepared for offering.
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