Chhath puja is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm in India. It is also known as Dala Chhath, where people worship the Sun God during the dawn. This puja is performed to thank the Sun God or nourishing life on earth and ask for blessings.
Mythology and Legends behind Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is an auspicious festival, which is celebrated in the state of Bihar and also in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and even Mauritius. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Chhath Puja is being performed since ancient time. It finds its mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. It is beleieved that this puja was performed by Draupadi, the wife of "Pandavas" king during their exile. One day they were visited by 88 thousand 'Bhikshuk' (wandering hermits) and as per Hindu customs, the guests are supposed to be treated well and offered food, but the Pandavas hardly had sufficient food for themselves. Seeing the Pandavas in trouble, Draupadi asked help from the noble sage Dhaumya, who was pleased with her devotion of worshiping the Sun God and Draupadi was able to solve their immediate problem. Later, with her devotion and continuous worshiping of the Sun God, helped Pandavas regain their lost Kingdom.
Celebration of Chhath Puja
The festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated with great zeal and fervour and is a four day long festival. This festival pertains to purity, dedication and thanking the Sun God, who is the source of life on earth and is observed as he deity who fulfils wishes. The first day is called Nahai Khai, which means “Bath and Eat”. On this day the women folk take bath in the Holy River Ganga and take back the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) for the Sun God at home. The second day is known as Kharna. On this day women fast even without a drop of water. They end their fast after performing puja in the evening by giving Offerings or Prasad, which includes puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy). Chapattis and bananas are then distributed among family, friends and visitors. The 3rd day, known as Sandhya Arghya or Evening Offering, where the whole day is spent by fasting without water and preparing for the puja offerings to the Sun God. These are made and kept in a tray made of bamboo. The offerings include Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits. The evening rituals are done at the banks of a river or pond or any clean water body where, all the devotees amass and the 'araghya' is offered to the setting Sun. The fourth and the last day of the Chhath Puja celebration is known as Bihaniya Arghya or Morning offerings. On this day, devotees gather on the bank of a river or pond to present offerings to the rising Sun. After the offerings are made, devotees break their fast by eating ginger and sugar or whatever as per the local traditions and customs.
Mythology and Legends behind Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is an auspicious festival, which is celebrated in the state of Bihar and also in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and even Mauritius. According to Hindu mythology, it is said that Chhath Puja is being performed since ancient time. It finds its mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. It is beleieved that this puja was performed by Draupadi, the wife of "Pandavas" king during their exile. One day they were visited by 88 thousand 'Bhikshuk' (wandering hermits) and as per Hindu customs, the guests are supposed to be treated well and offered food, but the Pandavas hardly had sufficient food for themselves. Seeing the Pandavas in trouble, Draupadi asked help from the noble sage Dhaumya, who was pleased with her devotion of worshiping the Sun God and Draupadi was able to solve their immediate problem. Later, with her devotion and continuous worshiping of the Sun God, helped Pandavas regain their lost Kingdom.
Celebration of Chhath Puja
The festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated with great zeal and fervour and is a four day long festival. This festival pertains to purity, dedication and thanking the Sun God, who is the source of life on earth and is observed as he deity who fulfils wishes. The first day is called Nahai Khai, which means “Bath and Eat”. On this day the women folk take bath in the Holy River Ganga and take back the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) for the Sun God at home. The second day is known as Kharna. On this day women fast even without a drop of water. They end their fast after performing puja in the evening by giving Offerings or Prasad, which includes puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy). Chapattis and bananas are then distributed among family, friends and visitors. The 3rd day, known as Sandhya Arghya or Evening Offering, where the whole day is spent by fasting without water and preparing for the puja offerings to the Sun God. These are made and kept in a tray made of bamboo. The offerings include Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits. The evening rituals are done at the banks of a river or pond or any clean water body where, all the devotees amass and the 'araghya' is offered to the setting Sun. The fourth and the last day of the Chhath Puja celebration is known as Bihaniya Arghya or Morning offerings. On this day, devotees gather on the bank of a river or pond to present offerings to the rising Sun. After the offerings are made, devotees break their fast by eating ginger and sugar or whatever as per the local traditions and customs.