Chhath Puja is an exceptional Indian celebration devoted to the sun-oriented divinities Surya and Shashthi Devi. It is commended to express gratitude toward them for supporting life on the planet. Accepted to be the lord of light-Surya and Shashthi Devi are adored on this day for advancing life, prosperity, and thriving of individuals.
Commended seven days after Diwali, chhath puja has a remarkable importance in Indian culture, particularly in the Bihar locale. Fans open themselves to coordinate daylight on this day as they accept that the Sun is likewise a wellspring of recuperating and assists with restoring numerous ailments and illnesses.
Devotees offer thanks to Lord Surya and perform ceremonies for four days. Chhath in the Hindi language implies six and henceforth this celebration is praised on the 6th day of the period of Kartika.
Significance of Chhath Puja
As expressed before Sun is accepted to be the essential wellspring of energy. Along these lines, individuals praise this day to express gratitude toward Lord Surya and his significant other for bestowing life upon them. Chhath puja has a significant mention in Indian mythological scriptures as well.
As indicated by Mahabharata, Lord Surya’s child Karna was the principal individual to perform Chhath puja. He offered a prayer to Lord Surya while remaining in the water and uncovering his body. Afterward, he likewise offered food to the poor. It is likewise said that Pandavas additionally played out these ceremonies to recover their kingdom from Kauravas.
Rituals Performed during Chhath Puja
In contrast to other Hindu customs, Chhath puja is a four-day occasion. These four-day occasions incorporate washing up at the stream, fasting, planning and offering Prasad, and ultimately arghya to the sun during dawn.
The first day of chhath puja is called Nahai Khai, Its exact significance is washing and eating. The enthusiasts on the principal day of puja wash in water bodies. After that they set up the customary Prasad, the women are consistently the initial ones to eat the Prasad and from that point forward, the entire family eats.
On the second day, the devotees observe fast until dusk. People end their fast only after sunset. They don’t eat or drink anything before sunset. After worshipping Lord Surya on this day and ending their fast, people again observe a fast for 36 hours.
On the third day of puja, the women mostly wear yellow sarees and plan food which is subsequently proposed to the sun. This day does without eating and drinking anything like a piece of the 36 hours in length fast. The women bring a dip into the water and proposition organic products to the sunset.
On the last day(forth day) of puja, individuals accumulate on the banks of the waterway during dawn. Prasad is proposed to the rising sun and afterward in the wake of playing out every one of the ceremonies individuals break their fast by eating Prasad. Lots of delicious food is prepared for the people who observed the fast and that’s how the four-day festival of Chhath Puja ends.
Importance of Chhath Puja
1. Relation with Nature: It is celebrated by worshiping the sun. It reminds people of how important it is to preserve nature. Taking care of natural resources gives life and the Sun is one natural resource that gives life .
2. Cultural Significance: It is one festival that is celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and is of great cultural and spiritual significance.
3. Gratitude: This festival shows gratitude towards the Sun, and ask for blessings from it.
4. Scientific Process: This festival has scientific reasons for celebration and detoxifies the soul and body.
Also Read: Significance of Dev Uthani Gyaras in Cultural Traditions
