Chhath Puja: Importance, Rituals, And Significance Of Worshipping Sun God
Chhath Puja is a major Hindu festival, which is celebrated with great devotion and faith especially in North India, especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Chhath Puja is celebrated on the Shashthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month and a four-day fast is observed in this festival.
Chhath Puja Method
During Chhath Puja, devotees who observe fast worship the Sun God with complete purity and self-control. In this fast, Arghya is offered to the Sun while standing in water. The fast mainly has the importance of Sandhya Arghya (at evening) and Usha Arghya (at sunrise). Special offerings are made during this fast, such as Thekua, Kasar, and rice prasad, which are kept in a bamboo basket.
Importance of Chhath Puja
The importance of Chhath Puja is that this festival provides more energy and positivity to our life related to the energy of the sun and nature. On this day, people worship Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for the fulfillment of their wishes and the well-being of the family.
Special rules and precautions in Chhath Puja
Devotees have to follow some special rules and disciplines in Chhath Puja, which make this fast extremely difficult and sacred. Here are the main rules of Chhath
Puja
Satvik food:
During Chhath Puja, the person fasting has to consume sattvik and pure food. Consumption of tamasic food like onion, garlic, meat and fish is completely prohibited.
Complete cleanliness and purity:
All the materials involved in the puja, the house, and the body of the fasting person should be completely clean and pure. The devotee should touch food and prasad only after taking a bath.
Twenty-four hours Nirjala Vrat:
On the third day of Chhath Puja, the devotee has to keep a twenty-four hour Nirjala Vrat (without water and food). This fast starts with Sandhya Arghya and continues till offering Arghya to the rising sun the next day.
Kharna:
'Kharna' is celebrated on the evening of the second day of Chhath Puja. On this day, the devotee takes prasad of kheer and roti made of jaggery and rice. After this, the devotee starts a Nirjala Vrat.
Arghya in a river or pond:
During Chhath Puja, Sandhya and Usha Arghya are given by going to a river, pond, or any source of clean water. This tradition is considered very important.
Use of bamboo basket:
In Chhath Puja, Prasad is kept in a bamboo basket. Thekua, Kasar, and other offerings are kept in this basket, and it is taken to the ghat.
Avoiding touching the puja materials:
During Chhath Puja, only the fasting people can touch the prasad and puja materials. It is not considered auspicious for outsiders to touch them.
Social discipline:
Restrained behavior, pure thoughts, and abstinence are necessary during the fast. Extreme discipline has to be followed in this fast.
Staying silent:
Many people also keep a silent fast during Chhath Puja, which gives mental and spiritual peace.
By following these rules of Chhath Puja, devotees receive the blessings of Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. In this festival, the fulfillment of their wishes is sought through difficult penance and discipline.
Upcoming Chhath Puja Dates
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