Ever heard about Chhath Puja? If not, then let us tell you that it is a festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chatti Maiya. Primarily celebrated in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, it’s a divine day that has great spiritual significance.
The festival is dedicated to Goddess Usha, whom you might have seen in the visuals as a woman standing waist-deep in the river water and offering arghaya (prayers) to the setting and rising sun.
It’s the essence of Chatth. But what lies beneath this mere visual splendor? We will get to know about it in this meaningful blog.
Let’s dive in:
All About Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja comes after the six days of Diwali in the month of Kartika, which is in October and November. The festival spans four days, which include different rituals to be performed.
Have a look at the breakdown of rituals below:
1. First Day - Nahay Khay
On the very first day, devotees, mostly the women, who were called Parvaitin, take a holy bath in purified water or a river or pond. After that, satvik food is prepared, usually rice or bottle gourd (lauki) and Bengal gram (chana dal).
This step marks the start of the festival and inner purification.
2. Second Day - Kharna
It’s the day of the fast, which goes until evening, without water and food. In the evening, women worship Chhathi Maiya and then break their fast, eating Kheer, roti, or bananas.
The day of the festivity is all about practicing self-control and spiritual perfection so that the next two days go well with rigorous fasting and rituals.
3. Third Day - Sandhya Arghya
On the third day, water is offered to the Sun God. People get dressed in traditional attire and head to the nearest water body, taking a soop (bamboo basket) filled with stuff like fruits, sugarcane, thekua (sweet), and more. The water is offered while the sun is setting, chanting mantras or singing folk songs.
4. Fourth Day - Usha Arghya
When the fourth day arrives, devotees reach the riverbank early at dawn to perform the final offering to the rising sun. This marks the end of their 36-hour fast.
After the prayers are offered to Usha Maiya, prasad is shared with everyone, and blessings of Maa are received.
Who Is Chhathi Maiya?
Chhathi Maiya is known as Usha, who is the wife of the Sun God. This fast is kept so as to seek the blessings from Maa Usha for children, good health, and prosperity. It’s said that Maa protects the children and mothers always, which makes this fast very special for families.
Let’s delve deeper to know more about this spiritual festivity:
The Sun Worship
In this fast, the Sun God is worshipped and his wife, Maa Usha, which represents the cycle of life. Offering prayers or water to the setting and rising sun symbolizes the beginning and ending of life. So, the festivity teaches you to connect to God and understand the real meaning of life.
Connects You With Nature
You offer water to the setting and rising sun, standing in water. This helps you feel calmer inside and also acts as your soul purifier. At the same time, you are connecting with the water body and the higher universe.
You Learn Self-Discipline
The fast helps you learn how to control yourself by not eating the fascinating food that tempts your tongue. In addition, you also have to refrain from taking water. Eating the satvik food, rising up early, and worshipping imbue you with self-discipline and enhance your spiritual focus.
Chhath Puja: The Mythological Connection
Chhath Puja is closely linked to Ramayana. It is beleived that Mata Sita performed Chhath Puja when Lord Rama returned back to Ayodhya after long exile.
In Mahabharta, Kunti who is the mother of Pandavas, did Surya Arghaya rituals to thank the Sun God to grant her a son named Karna.
Draupadi also used to perform the same rituals for her family well-being.
Apart from just the states in India like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, now Chhath is also pleasurely celebrated at places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Mauritius, Fiji, USA, UAE, UK, Australia.
Songs Sung During This Festivity
Chhath is not considered complete without soulful folk songs. You can also sing those songs while performing rituals, such as:
‘Kelwa Ke Patwa Par’
‘Uga Hai Suraj Dev’
‘Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya’
Final Words
So, these were the rituals performed on Chhath Puja. Not only women, but now also men do observe this festivity with sacredness and utmost devotion. Women often keep the vrat for praying for a child or good health of a loved one.
When the wish is granted, they observe the vrat every year.
Want to know more about Chhath Puja? get in touch with us at pandit.com. If you want to know anything more about this festivity or vrat rituals, then talk to our Astro pandit. Pt. Rahul Kaushl. He will also guide you about the remedies that will fulfill your desired wishes.
