Everything you need to know about Chhath Puja!
If you’re wondering what is Chhat Puja? Then here is your answer: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. It is observed for four days and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Usha. The festival is held twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra (April/May) and once in the month of Kartik (October/November). Chhath Puja meaning lies in its name itself. It refers to the worship of Chhathi Maiyya who is considered to be the Goddess who blesses children and their parents and also is considered to be the protector of them.
The main focus of the festival is the offering of prayers and respect to the Sun God for his blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity. Devotees fast for the entire day and observe a strict vegetarian diet for the duration of the festival. They also offer Arghya to the setting sun, which is a mixture of milk, rice pudding, and other sweets. This is followed by a night of singing and dancing, and a final offering to the rising sun the next morning.
Explore More in Festivals
Useful Resource
Another important aspect of the Chhath festival is the Kanyadaan, in which married women offer prayers for the well-being of their families and for the good health of their husbands. Women also observe a fast for 36 hours and perform the Arghya offering in the river, symbolising the purification of their souls.The Chhath Puja is an important festival for people of the Bihari and Nepalese communities and is celebrated with great fervour and devotion. The festival is also famous for its traditional songs, known as 'Chhath Geet,' which are sung in honour of the Sun God.
In recent years, Chhath Puja has gained popularity among the diaspora community, with many organising celebrations and festivals in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This has helped to preserve and spread the cultural traditions associated with the festival and has allowed for the continuation of the celebration for future generations.
Let us now have a look at the festival of Chhath Puja history. The festival is widely celebrated in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand and also Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Chhathi Mta or Chhathi Maiyaa. According to legends, it is said that King Priyavrat did not have any children. This is the reason he was always sad and upset. Once Maharishi Kashyap visited him and the king told him about his problems. Upon hearing the king’s concerns, Maharishi Kashyap asked him to perform a yagna. The king with full faith performed the yagna in order to be blessed with a son. After this, the king’s wife was pregnant and then she gave birth to a boy. However, the sad part is that the baby was born dead. This is something that upset the entire family. After this, a chariot carrying Mata Shashthi was seen in the sky. The king prayed to her. She introduced herself as the Goddess that blesses children and their parents with good health and happiness. Thus, when the king prayed to her she was very happy and blessed the dead child. After this the child came to life.
It is believed that after this story people started doing this yagna and pooja in order to be blessed with children and also to protect them and their children from all the evils of the world. Thus, after this the festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated.
The Importance of Chhath puja lies in this story. Children are something that all parents want and desire; thus, Chhath puja is celebrated by people in order to bless them with children and to protect them and their children from all the problems and evils of the world. Moreover, people also tend to celebrate Chhath pooja in accordance with the Chhath Puja Vrat vidhi to seek blessings of Chhathi Maiyya to ensure happiness and prosperity in their family.
In conclusion, Chhath Mahaparv is a festival that is deeply rooted in Hindu culture and is celebrated with great devotion by millions of people around the world. It is a celebration of the power and importance of the Sun God and is a symbol of hope and renewal for the coming year.
Chat with Astrologer
Talk to Astrologer
