Today marks the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna. This unique tradition involves fasting, preparing sacred offerings, and upholding special rituals that bring families together in devotion and unity. On November 6, 2024, the day of Kharna, devotees will honor the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya with pure hearts and dedicated practices that carry deep spiritual significance. Let’s explore the importance and rules of Kharna in Chhath Puja.
The Significance of Kharna
Kharna is a crucial ritual in the four-day Chhath Puja. Beginning on this day, a 36-hour Nirjala fast (without water) is observed by the devotee, symbolizing dedication and spiritual cleansing. After a day of fasting, a special prasad, including roti and jaggery kheer (a sweet rice pudding), is prepared as an offering. This prasad, often referred to as the “Mahaprasad of Chhath,” holds immense importance. The devotee prepares the offering, dedicates it to the divine in the evening, and shares it with family members, who receive it with respect and reverence. The fast continues until the Arghya is offered on Saptami, the festival’s concluding day.
Rituals and Rules of Kharna
The prasad for Kharna is prepared with the utmost care and purity. An earthen stove is used to cook the jaggery kheer in brass utensils, symbolizing simplicity and devotion. Additional sweets like Thekua and laddus made from jaggery are also prepared to honor the tradition. Only the fasting devotee can prepare the prasad, maintaining complete purity.
In the evening, the fasting person eats the kheer after closing the room, marking the end of the day’s fast. After the devotee consumes the prasad, family members join in, taking blessings from the person observing the fast. A unique tradition during Kharna involves married women applying sindoor (vermilion) to the fasting women, symbolizing blessings and prosperity.
The prasad is divided and placed on banana leaves to honor various deities. Offerings include kheer, milk, bananas, and other fruits, all dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. This prasad is eaten in devotion, focusing on the blessings of Chhathi Maiya.
On this day, devotees sleep on the ground to signify humility and simplicity. Observing complete celibacy is essential, and pillows and beds are avoided to honor the sanctity of the tradition.
Through these customs, Kharna in Chhath Puja highlights the strength of faith, simplicity, and the importance of family bonding. With rituals grounded in purity and love, Kharna connects devotees to the divine and sets the tone for the concluding days of Chhath Puja.
