During this festival, the sixth form of Prakriti and seventh daughter Chhathi is worshipped while younger sister Maiya Soleil Surya. At seventh day of bright fortnight is celebrated as Surya Shashti Vrata s worshiping the Sun god by Hindus in Nepal, which falls on sixth day after Dipavali(Vikram Samvat).
The rituals are performed on the three nights and four days. These include bathing in the rivers, fasting and not drinking water (vrata- a specific vow), standing in water and offering prasadas to Sun during sun rise or sunset. Devotees at the River banks also perform a prostration march towards it. Another practice of all devotees is they prepare same prasada (religious food) and offerings.
One of the most eco-friendly religious festivals in world, chhath is always backed by environmentalists. It is celebrated more widely in Nepal and certain states of India, such as Assam, Sikkim and Darjeeling but is practice even where people from these areas have a presence.
Chhath Pooja Details
| Chhath Pooja | Details |
|---|---|
| Chhaith | Chhath Parva , Chhath Puja, Dala Chhath, Dala Puja, Surya Shashthi |
| Observed by | East Indians and Nepalese Bhojpuri, Magahi and Maithil ethnolinguistic groups. |
| Type | Cultural, Historical, Religious |
| Significance | To venerate Surya, the sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya |
| Date | Kartik Shukla Shashthi |
| 2023 date | 25 March to 28 March (Chaiti) 17 Nov to 20 Nov (Katiki) |
| 2024 date | Thursday 7, November |
| Frequency | Annual |
Chhath Pooja Significance
Since the sun is visible to everyone and life depends on it, Chhath puja is dedicated to Sun God Surya. It is also a day dedicated to the worship of Chhathi Maiya with Sun God. Astrologically, Chhathi Maiya (or Mata) is the protector of children and helps them against all types of diseases etc.
Description
A replica pond at Rani Pokhari, a 17th-century water tank in Kathmandu named after one of the Queens was illuminated for Chhath celebration.
Chhath festival at Rani Pokhari, a 17th-century pond in Kathmandu (2015)
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Chhath Puja Azimganj event compiled
Chhath Puja is a Folk Festival and it takes four days long. It commences on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi, and culminates once we reach Kartik Shukla Saptami. This festival is celebrated two times in a year.
Chaiti Chhath – It is celebrated in the month of Vikram Samvat, this being a celebration which falls on day sixth afore Shashi-Asati.
Kartik Chhath- This fast is done on a large scale in Kartika month of Vikram Samvat.
Nahaay Khaay (Day 1)
Chhath Puja 2024 Day 1 The Parvaitin (they are called parvaites, from Sanskrit mahaparva or “much-occasions”) take a purification bath at the start of each Mela around 3 AM; and begin to clean their houses in time for also cleaning all ways until reaching Ghat. At Parvati, a Sattvik Lauka Bhaat (Bottle Gourd and Bengal Gram Lentil preparation with Arva Rice Bhaat) is usually cooked. This Prasad is offered as Bhog to the deity during afternoon. This marks the beginning of Parv and is known as the dinner served to a lady who observes fasts in Chhath Puja. From here, the food is consumed to ‘save you from food for thought of vengeance.
Kharna/Lohanda (Day 2 attendence) Indian word
Kharna or Lohanda (also called Rasiaav-Roti) is the second day of Chhath Puja. Devotees do not drink a drop of water for the entire day and present what is offered to them in offerings. At Night time, they consume Rasiaav with Roti (Kheer of Jaggary as well bread),
Sandhya arghya (Day 3)
In places devoid of a river or pond, you see indoor-friendly alternatives like tanks and fountains. There are few places where the use of beaches is not allowed for puja.
On this day there is a hustle and bustle at homes as people prepare prasada (offerings) made of bamboo basket filled with fruits, Thekua and rice laddus. On this day, the whole household and friends used to take part in accompanying a devotee near a riverbank or any other water body for making Arghya offerings during Sun set. In some ways this event is like a carnival. The worshipper is willing to accept and bless in return all those who participate — devotees, their friends and families, indeed anyone watching that can help.
At the time of arghya, Gangajal water is offered to Surya and Chhathi Maiya isdone with Prasada. Chhath Gana: The Chhat songs are sung at night after worshiping the sun god and Brat Katha is read.
When they come back to their house then entire family together with the devotees performs kosi bharai. They tie 5 to 7 sugarcanes and make it mandap beneath the shade of which they light a lamp, burn 12-24 diya (earthen lamps) and offer there Thekua along with seasonal fruits. Followed by the offering of arghya to rising sun and rest have this same doghri (dogbara) even in next morning between 3-4 am.
Usha arghya (Day 4)
Early in the morning of this day, devotees take a dip and present an arghya to the rising sun at the riverbank. Parents make this sacred offering and pray for their child to Chhatti Maiya so that they should be protected from any kind of evil eyes, envy or harm done by other people (including their family) on them & blessings are sought for the wellbeing, happiness and peace of entire children/family. Followers then come together for the Paran or Parana rite, ending their fast after drinking a very small amount of parnaa and water. This rite is the strongest reminder of the relationship between family welfare and divine blessings; it serves as a sign of gratitude, or spiritual completion.
Rituals and traditions
The main worshippers are females called parvaitin (from Sanskrit: parva = occasion or festival). But even men fast on the festival of Chhath which is not at all gender-specific. Parvaiti people pray to God for the well-being of family, and a successful life ahead especially for their offsprings.
In some communities, once any one of a family member starts observing Chhath Puja it becomes mandatory for every male and/or female individual in the home to observe this festival. Unless there is a death in the family that year, then they wouldn’t have it. The ritual forfeits in any year that the person does not perform it, and can never be taken up again. In some communities this is not obligatory. The prasada offerings include Thekua, Khajuria,Tikri,Kasar( and Fruits ( Mainly Sugar canes,sweet lime, coconut,Banana And Many Seasonal fruits )offered in small Bamboo Baskets. All food is vegetarian and prepared without salt, onions or garlic. This recipe really focuses in on keeping the food clean.
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History and myths associated
Deo Surya Mandir, Deo village of Aurangabad Bihar India
It is a mythological belief in Champaran, Bihar and Madhesh Province of Nepal that Sita stayed in Valmiki Ashram located on the edge of Narayani River (near Kaligandaki at Ridi Bazaar) built by Saint Maharshi Gautam living here.forever. She had also celebrated Chhath in Nepal back then. Even today, this Chhath festival is celebrated at Luv-Kush Ghat on the banks of Gandaki river located in Indo-Nepal border with great glory.
It is also said that the Chhathi Maiya, which we call a Psyam Maiya, and she worshiped on this day Chhaith Lake Festival (Brahma Vaivarta Purana). BackgroundAs per the legend, Chhath Puja was started in holy city of Varanasi by Gahadavala dynasty (10th-12 century AD). Burmi with Chhathi Maiya, Kashi Khanda is the next nation that has gained popularity in this religious work of devotion.
There was also a ashram of rishi Kashyapa and Aditi at this place as per hindu mythology. Surya as Mata Aditi, she gave birth on the sixth day of Kartika. Surya otherwise Aditya as he is the son of Aditi. Therefore Chhath Puja is celebrated like the birthday of Surya and every month Kartika, in which this festival is held continuously throughout the year.
In Munger district, the festival is famous because of its Sita Manpatthar (Sita Charan; lit. Sita’s footsteps). The Sitacharan temple, atop a boulder in the middle of Ganga here is at the epicenter of mass faith in context to Chhath. Goddess Sita performed Chhath festival in Munger That is why Munger Chhath Mahaparva are celebrated with great pomp.
Some other legend: King Priyavrata, son of first Manu Svayambhu was much grieved due to not being blessed with an issues. Kashyapa said him to perform a yajna. On the instructions of sage, he did yajna for a son. Queen Malini again got a prince in her womb but alas the baby was stillborn. The king and his family was so saddened by this thing. And in the sky appeared Mata Shashthi. Seeing the prayer of king, she said: I m Chhathi Maiya who is sixth form Parvati.
I am the Protector of all the children in this whole wide world and I grant kids to every childless parent” And then the goddess gave life back to her dead son with a touch of her hands. The king thanked the grace of the Goddess and he worshiped the goddess Shashthi Devi. Following this puja, the festival is thought to have spread world wide.
Chhath is said to be one of the oldest and ancient Hindu festivals in India. It has scripted as much back within Mahabharata. In the epic Ramayana, Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya on Deepavali day people lit up candles in their honour respond As a mark of Jubilation 4th.-6th days all known charted lands/ peoples celebrated intensely also started by Paternal Kingdoms }</ref> its sixth-day observation is( or Intl.= Required doing sign prophecy ) Celebrating as DIWALI GRAND TIME Celebration. Rama(The Kingdom of Rama) On this day, Rama-Sita observed fast and Sita kept on worshiping the Sun as well. Consequently, she was gifted Lava and Kusha as their sons.
Similarly in Mahabhrata; Kunti performed Chhath-end Puja after they flee from Lakshagriha. Some folks also say that Karna — the son of Surya and Kunti, was born after Chhath puja done by pregnant kuntil. Draupadi is also said to have done the Puja for Pandavas so that they could win Kurukshetra War. As per legends, Draupadi had observed Chhath Puja at a knick in the Nagdi village of Ranchi. In Chhath, neither the river offers Arghya in this village nor does it offer a pond. The worship of Chhath Puja is done near that spring in Nagdi.
