Chhath Puja: Salutation to the sun
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival and the only Vedic Festival devoted to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. Chhath Puja is performed to thank Surya for being the primordial force sustaining life on earth. Surya, considered the god of energy and the life-force, is worshipped during the Chhath festival to endorse well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is supposed to cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, besides ensuring the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and elders.
The Rituals
The rituals of Chhath festival are meticulous and observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya (commodity offering) to the rising and setting sun.
The rituals of Chhath festival are meticulous and observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya (commodity offering) to the rising and setting sun.
Celebrations across India
Although the festival is observed elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal, it is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai.
Although the festival is observed elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal, it is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai.
Celebrations outside India
Chhath festival is celebrated in a big way in countires as far apart as Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica.
Chhath festival is celebrated in a big way in countires as far apart as Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica.
Dateline of the Chhath
Chhath Puja is performed on Kartika Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the month of Kartika. This falls typically in the month of October or November . The exact date of the festival is decided by Central division of Janakpurdham in Nepal which is applicable all over the world.
Chhath Puja is performed on Kartika Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the month of Kartika. This falls typically in the month of October or November . The exact date of the festival is decided by Central division of Janakpurdham in Nepal which is applicable all over the world.
Two types of Chhath Puja
It is also celebrated in the summer (March–April), on Chaitra Shashthi, some days after Holi. This event is called Chaiti Chhath. The former is more popular because winter is the usual festive season in Nepal and in North India.
It is also celebrated in the summer (March–April), on Chaitra Shashthi, some days after Holi. This event is called Chaiti Chhath. The former is more popular because winter is the usual festive season in Nepal and in North India.
Cool Climate and Chhath Puja
Chhath, being an arduous observance, requiring the worshipers to fast without water for around 36 hours continuously, is easier to undertake in the Indian winters. .
Chhath, being an arduous observance, requiring the worshipers to fast without water for around 36 hours continuously, is easier to undertake in the Indian winters. .
Om Namah Shivay
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