Chhath Puja: Salutation to the sun-3

Chhath Puja: Salutation to the sun-3

Nahay Khay

On the first day of Chhath Puja, the devotees take a dip, preferably in the river Kosi river, Karnali and Ganga, and carry home the holy water of these historical rivers to prepare the offerings. The house and surroundings are scrupulously cleaned. The ladies observing the vrata are known as vratin, who allow themselves only one meal on this day.

Lohanda and Kharna

On the second day of Chhath Puja, the day before Chhath, the Vratins observe a fast for the whole day, which ends in the evening a little after sunset. Just after the worship of the sun and moon, the offerings of kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas, are distributed among family and friends. The Vratins go on a fast without water for 36 hours after the 2nd day evening prashad (kheer).

Sandhya Arghya

This day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. On the eve of this day, the entire household accompanies the vratins to a riverbank, pond or a common large water body to make the offerings (arghya) to the setting sun.

Prayer of Surya

It is during this phase of Chhath Puja that the devotees offer prayers to the just setting sun. The occasion is almost like a carnival. Besides the Vratins, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Folk songs are sung on the evening of Chhath.

Usha Arghya

On the final day of Chhath Puja, the devotees, along with family and friends, go to the riverbank before sunrise, in order to make the offerings (Arghya) to the rising sun. The festival ends with the breaking of the fast by the Vratins. Friends and relatives visit the houses of the devotees to receive the prashad.

Do men also observe this festival?

The main worshipers, called Parvaitin (from the Sanskrit word parv, meaning 'occasion' or 'festival'), are usually women. However, a large number of men also observe this festival. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, and for the prosperity of their off springs.

The Prasad

Once a family starts performing Chhath Puja, it is their duty to perform it every year and to pass it on to the following generations. The festival is skipped only if there happens to be a death in the family that year. The prasad offerings include sweets, kheer, thekua and fruit, offered in small bamboo bowls. . The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis is put on maintaining the purity of the food.

Om Namah Shivay