India is a land of festivals, and each one is fervently and devotedly observed. Chhath Puja is one of the most significant holidays, held just a week after Diwali. According to the Hindu calendar, the event takes place on Kartika Shukla Shashti, which is the sixth day of the Karthika month. The four-day festival, which is mostly observed in the North Indian states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, is very important and is celebrated with tremendous fervour and excitement. The festival is observed by devotees who fast and offer prayers to Usha, also known as Chhathi Maiya, the wife of the Sun God, the god of light, energy, and life force. Worshiping the sun is thought to promote longevity.

History of Chhate Pooja

According to legend, Chhatth Puja ceremonies may even be older than that, as they are mentioned in the ancient Vedas and are exemplified by songs to the Lord Surya in the Rigveda. The tradition is also mentioned in the Sanskrit epic poem, the Mahabharata, where Draupadi is said to have observed the same customs.

The legend of Lord Rama also illustrates the significance of Chhath Puja. During their coronation after returning to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, it is thought that Lord Rama and Mata Sita conducted a joint fast and offered puja to the Lord Surya in the month of Kartik (between October and December) in Shukla Paksha. Since that time, Chhath Puja has evolved into a significant Hindu festival. People of the Hindu religion began celebrating it on the same day, in the same month, every year.

Nahay Khay on Day 1 (Chaturthi)

Nahay Khay entails cooking a sattvic meal at home and taking a plunge in the holy body of water, as the name suggests. It's customary to prepare lauki curry, kaddu bhat, chana daal, and roti on this day. On this day, the women who are participating in the puja only eat one meal.

Lohanda or Kharna on Day 2 (Panchami)

From sunrise to sunset, the vratis observe Nirjala fast (fasting without consuming even a drop of water). They don't break their fast until after sundown when they worship the sun. The worshippers make a variety of offerings, including rice, bananas, and sweets, primarily kheer. One must fast without drinking anything for 36 hours after eating the prasad.

"Chhath Puja" Arghya Sandhya on Day 3(Shashthi)

The preparation of puja offerings is done on the third day, which is also observed with the Nirjala fast. The basket containing all the fruits and offerings is transported to the Chhath ghat, which is located by ponds or rivers. As the sun sets, worshippers stand in the river and offer arghya.

Parana Day and Usha Arghya on Day 4 (Saptami)

The Usha Arghya, which includes praying to the rising sun, is performed by the devotees on the fourth and last day before they head to the riverbank. The celebrations come to an end with the breaking of the 36-hour fast, followed by prasad sharing and Chhath Puja greetings with family and close friends.