Chhath Puja 2024: The Importance of Rituals and History Behind It

Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a time of honouring the Surya God by fasting and taking holy baths. The festival is joyous and known as Chaath because it is celebrated on the 6th day of Kartikeya month, which is also called Kartik Shukla Shashti, according to the Hindu calendar. 

Chhath Puja 2024 Date and Timings

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Chhath Puja Rituals 

Now, here you’ll discover how the rituals of Chhath Puja are performed. We’ll mention all four chhath puja days and the right way to practice them. 

Day 1: Nahay Khay (Khana)

The first day of chhath puja starts with the Bath and Eat rituals, known as the Nahay Khay. On this day, the devotees or the people who observe fast take a holy dip in the river. People bring along some water from the holy river to sprinkle the water in the food that will be prepared so that the food (Prasad) is filled with blessings and purity. This ritual marks the beginning of Chhath Puja. 

Day 2: Lohanda (Kharna) 

On the second day, devotees wake up early in the morning, take a bath and offer prayers. Then, they observe fast for the whole day till the sunset. However, as the sun sets, they again take a bath and offer prayers to Chhati Maiya. On this day, Rasiao Kheer (rice boiled with milk), Roti (chappati), banana and white radish are prepared, offered to the Goddess and then consumed by the people who have observed the fast. 

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya 

The third day is referred to as the Sandhya Arghya, where the devotees offer prayers during the sunset. On this day, people who have observed fast (Vrattis) do not eat or drink anything and indulge themselves in the preparation of Puja. Moreover, the basket of bamboo sticks, also known as Daura, is beautifully decorated.

There is also a metal basket known as Supli where all the Puja necessary items are placed. Moreover, in the Daura and Supli, various homemade items such as Thekua and Puri, along with chhath puja fruits such as Apples, banana, Pani Faal singhara (water chestnut) and white radish are placed.  

Kosi Bharna

On the same day, after the evening ritual of Sandhya Arghya is over, devotees come back home from the river (Chhath Ghat). They start the preparation for Kosi, which is also known as Kosi Bharna. This is a very sacred, warm and beautiful evening where 24 sugarcanes are tied together with yellow cloth and below that, several diyas are light.

All the family members sit together to sing devotional songs, and then the next morning, the Kosi is taken to the Ghat. 

Day 4: Bihaniya Arghya 

This is the final day of the Chhath Puja, where all the devotees go to the nearby river early in the morning. All the people eagerly wait for the sunrise to offer Arghya (water to the sun god). After all the rituals, people kneel down to the chhath puja god, Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, to ask for blessings and forgiveness.

Then, all the people go back to their homes, and the devotees who observe the fast break their fast by eating Prasad. 

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Benefits of Performing Chhath Puja 

The celebration and the performing of the holy ritual of Chhath Puja offers various benefits. Read below to learn about the benefits.

• The sun is the Source of Life on Earth and also chaath puja god, and thus, it offers devotees good health, harmony and success. 
• Taking a dip in the holy river during Chhath Puja purifies your mind, body and soul. It helps you to remove all the negative energies. 
• Devotees who are expecting children can observe fast and follow the rituals of going to the banks of the River (ghat). These devotees perform a special ritual known as “Dandwat Pranam” or “Dand Khinchna” on their journey to the Ghat. They lie down on the ground, stand up again, and then lie down once again. This process is followed until they reach their destination. 
• Astrologically, during Chhath Puja, the Sun is in the Southern Hemisphere, which could be harmful to people on Earth. During Chhath Puja, devotees protect themselves from harm caused by sun rays by offering prayers.
• The rituals and prayers of Chhath Puja activate the pranic flow in the body, making the devotees stay calm. It keeps the devotees keep their anger and stress in control. 

Chhath Puja: Do’s and Don’ts 

Here are certain things you must follow and a few that you must avoid during the Chhath Puja. 

• You must avoid speaking anything ill during the four-day festival. This is when you must dedicate yourself to holy rituals and devotion. 
• You must stay away yourself from eating non-vegetarian foods. In fact, you must also avoid onion and garlic during Chhath Puja. 
• Before touching anything that is a part of puja and rituals, make sure to wash your hands. 
• You must wear clean clothes and not the same clothes the other day. You must take a bath two times a day, in the morning and evening. 
• You must not eat any fruits or food items prepared as an offering before the morning ritual of Bihaniya Arghya is over. After the last morning ritual, you can eat the fruits and Thekua as a Chhati Maiya’s blessings. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

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