chhath puja 2024
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Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, usually begins six days after Diwali. People eagerly wait for this great festival. It has great importance in Hindu religion. Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and some parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. But, now it is celebrated on a large scale in many states across the country and also in foreign countries. In Chhath Puja, there is a tradition of worshiping Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Actually, this great festival happens twice a year. One in the month of Chait and the other in the month of Kartik. Among these, Chhath of Kartik month has special significance. Women observe this fast for the happiness, peace and long life of their children. Let us know when did Chhath Puja start? When did the worship of Lord Surya start? From when to when is Chhath festival being celebrated this time? Let's know everything…
According to mythological beliefs, Mother Sita first celebrated Chhath in Treta Yuga. Lord Shri Ram worshiped Lord Surya Narayan. In Dwapar, the philanthropist Karna and Draupadi worshiped the Sun. Apart from this, there is also a story related to the worship of Chhathi Maiya of King Priyamvad, who was the first to worship Chhathi Maiya. It is believed that on the festival of Chhath, mothers worship Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for the long life, good health and future of their children. During this period, women observe a waterless fast for 36 hours. This is the reason why this fast is considered one of the most difficult fasts.
Shri Ram and Sita also worshiped the Sun.
According to mythology, Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Lankapati Ravana. But Lord Rama had the sin of killing Ravana, to get rid of which Rajasuya Yagya was performed on the orders of sages. Then sage Mugdal called Shri Ram and Mother Sita to his ashram for the yagya. According to Mugdal Rishi, Mother Sita worshiped Sun God and also observed a fast on the Shashti Tithi of Kartik Shukla. During this period, Ram ji and Sita Mata stayed in the ashram of Mugdal Rishi and worshiped for six days. In this way, the history of Chhath festival is linked to the Ramayana period.
Know, according to the calendar, from which date Chhath starts
According to Banaras and Mithila Panchang, Chhath Puja starts every year from the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. This great festival lasts for four days. As soon as Diwali is over Its atmosphere with Chhath songs Starts to form. The main fast of Chhath Puja is observed on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay on the first day. Kharna has to be done on the second day. On the third day, the fast is broken with evening arghya and on the fourth day, the fast is broken by offering arghya to the rising sun and with this the festival ends. In such a situation, let us know when Chhath Puja is starting this year.
When is Nahay Khay, what happens on this day?
Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay. This time Nahay Khay is on 5th November i.e. Tuesday. Nahay Khay, as its name suggests, means taking bath and eating food on this day. Women fasting on the day of Nahay Khay take bath in a river or pond. If it is not possible to take bath in the river, you can also take bath at home. After this, the fasting women prepare prasad of rice, gram dal and bottle gourd and consume it.
Who is worshiped in Chhath Kharna Puja?
The second day of Chhath Puja is called Kharna. This time Kharna is on 6th November i.e. Wednesday. Kharna Prasad is made on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, mothers keep fast throughout the day and after the puja, they start the 36-hour waterless fast by eating Kharna Prasad. On this day, prasad is made by lighting fire with mango wood in an earthen stove.
When is the first Arghya and second Arghya of Chhath?
On the third day of Chhath Puja, Arghya is offered to the setting Sun God while standing in a river or pond in the evening. This time the first Arghya will be offered on 7th November i.e. Thursday. In this, by placing fruits, sugarcane, rice laddu, thekua and other ingredients in bamboo soup, worship is done while standing in water. Arghya is offered to the rising sun on the fourth and last day of Chhath Puja. This time the second Arghya will be offered on Friday, November 8. On this day, devotees break their fast. They also wish for the long life and good future of their children.
