On the first day of this four-day festival, devotees took holy dips in rivers including the Ganga and performed prayers to Lord Bhaskar. They offered and consumed prasad made of pumpkin, arwa rice, chana dal, and amla chutney. Participants also pledged to observe all rituals of the festival with devotion.
Significance of Kharna
Kharna holds special importance in Chhath Puja as it marks the beginning of the rigorous 36-hour fast. According to astrologer PK Yug, in Bihar, the fast starts after sunset at 5:11 PM today. Devotees first offer prasad and perform rituals for the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya before beginning the waterless fast.
Kharna Prasad
The traditional Kharna prasad includes gur ki kheer (sweet rice pudding made from milk, rice, and jaggery), along with wheat roti or puri and bananas. Prasad is first offered to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, then consumed by devotees and shared with family and neighbors as a gesture of goodwill.
Kharna Puja Rituals
- Take a holy bath in the morning and take the Nirjala fast pledge.
- Maintain cleanliness and purity at the prayer site.
- Prepare prasad at sunset.
- Perform rituals for the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya according to traditional guidelines.
- Offer prasad first to the deities, then consume and start the fast.