Chhath Puja
Introduction
Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti or Dala Chhath, is one of the most revered and significant festivals celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. With its rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance, Chhath Puja is a vibrant and colourful celebration that deserves a closer look.
The History of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is believed to have its roots in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. It is mentioned that Karna, a prominent character in the Mahabharata, used to worship Lord Surya, the Sun God. The festival is also believed to date back to the Vedic period when it was performed by Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas brothers.
Significance of Chhath Puja
Worship of the Sun God: Chhath Puja is primarily dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It is believed that the Sun God’s blessings provide longevity, prosperity, and well-being to the devotees.
Natural Healing: Sunlight is considered a source of healing and positive energy. By offering prayers to the Sun God, devotees seek relief from various physical and mental ailments.
Environmental Awareness: Chhath Puja also promotes environmental consciousness. Devotees immerse themselves in natural bodies of water like rivers or ponds, and they avoid using any artificial materials during the rituals.
Chhath Puja Rituals:-
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival, and each day has its own set of rituals:
Nahay Khay: The first day involves taking a holy dip in a river or pond and preparing a special meal using purified ingredients.
Kharna: On the second day, devotees fast all day and break their fast in the evening after performing elaborate rituals.
Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering): On the third day, devotees offer their prayers during sunset, along with offerings to the Sun God.
Usha Arghya (Morning Offering): The final day involves offering prayers during sunrise, concluding the Chhath Puja festivities.
Places of Chhath Celebration:
As said earlier, this festival is ornately celebrated among the people of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and regions of India and Nepal respectively. But people who shifted their base from these regions to elsewhere have also not stopped celebrating Chhath. So, one can see Chhath celebrations in Northern, Southern, and Central urban centres in India too. Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bengaluru, etc. also celebrate Chhath. Likewise, people of Indian or Nepali origin residing in Mauritius, the United States, Fiji, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Republic of Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Guyana, other parts of the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Macau, Japan and Indonesia also celebrate Chhath Puja with dedication.
History of Chhath Puja
It is said that the rituals of Chhatth Puja may even date back to ancient times, they are mentioned in the ancient Vedas, as the Rigveda has hymns praising Lord Surya and illustrating similar customs. This custom is also mentioned in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, where Draupadi is described as following similar rituals.
According to the poem, Draupadi and the Pandavas, the rulers of Indraprastha (now Delhi), performed Chhath Puja rituals on the advice of the noble sage Dhaumya. Thanks to the worship of Lord Surya (Sun), Draupadi not only got rid of all troubles but also helped Pandavas regain their lost kingdom later. The history of yoga or the science of Chhath Puja dates back to the Vedic period. Rishis of old used this method to survive without external food intake and could get energy from sunlight. This is done through the rituals of Chhath Puja.
Another story that reflects the importance of Chhath Puja is the story of Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Rama and Mata Sita were together very quickly and offered puja to Lord Surya in the month of Kartik (from October to December) at Shukla Paksha during their coronation ceremony after returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of living. exile. Since then, Chhath Puja has become a traditional and important festival of Hinduism.
Interesting and unique facts associated with Chhath Puja
- Chhath Puja is the only Vedic festival celebrated in India
- Chhath Puja is associated with the Hindu epic related to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata with more than one character from the Mahabharata associated with it.
- Chhath Puja is the only Hindu festival where all the festival rituals have a scientific rationale and all demonstrate a rigorous scientific detoxification process.
- Chhath Puja is designed to optimize the absorption of calcium and vitamin D in the body, which is truly beneficial for
- Chhath Puja also helps increase the body’s immunity.
- The four days of Chhath Puja bring immense spiritual benefits to Chhath Puja calms the minds of devotees and reduces negative energies such as hatred, fear and anger.
- The custom of praying to the Sun god was also common in the Babylonian civilization and ancient Egyptian civilization.
Why is the festival called “Chhath”?
The meaning of the word Chhath is six in Nepali or Hindi and since this festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the month Karthika, the festival has the same name.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is a notable festival that not only honours the Sun God but also highlights the importance of preserving nature and the environment. This is a time for devotees to connect with the divine, purify their minds and bodies, and seek blessings for the well-being of their families. The rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Chhath Puja makes it a festival worth experiencing and preserving for generations to come.
As you prepare to celebrate this vibrant festival, take a moment to reflect on its significance and enjoy the rituals and festivities that make Chhath Puja a truly unique and cultural experience. precious. May the blessings of Lord Surya bring prosperity and happiness to all who participate in this sacred celebration.
Dates of this festival in the current year
In 2023, the festival of Chhath Puja will start on 17th November and end on 20th November.