Chhath Puja 2022: History & Significance

Chhath Puja is the most prominent festival which is celebrated in the North Indian state of Bihar and certain regions of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.

Chhath is a famous festival that starts on the 6th day of the Hindu calendar month “Kartika”. This festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his wife Usha. This festival is celebrated to thank god for supporting life on earth and to seek the blessing of the divine Sun god and his wife.
According to the Hindu religion, it is believed that the sun heals several health conditions and offers longevity, progress, positivity, prosperity, and well-being. Moreover, the main day of Chhath is actually not the first but the third day of Chhath Puja. This festival is celebrated by people following a rigorous routine that lasts for four days, the rituals and traditions of this festival include fasting, offering prayers to the rising and setting sun, holy bathing, and meditation while standing in the water.
It is one of the famous Indian festivals which are celebrated in Bihar and many other destinations of India including Jharkhand, eastern UP, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Bangalore, Chhattisgarh, and regions of Nepal. It is celebrated on the sixth of the month of Karthika in the Vikram Samvat.
Chhath Puja is also celebrated in the summers after Holi but the Chhath which is celebrated in Kathika month has more importance and is ardently followed by people. However, people living away from their hometowns travel in large numbers during this festival.

History of Chhath Puja

Chhath is a festival that is all about purity, devotion, and offering prayer to Sun God; the exact origin of this festival is ambiguous but there are certain beliefs that connect to Hindu epics. Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two epics that are associated with Chhath Puja.

Association with Ramayana

It is believed that Lord Rama is associated with the inception of Chhath Puja. It is said that when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya then he and his wife Sita observed a fast in honor of the Sun god and broke it only with the setting sun. It is one such ritual that is subsequently evolved into Chhath Puja.

Association with Mahabharata

Famous Mahabharata character Karna is said to be the child of Sun god and Kunti. It is said that Karna usually use to offer prayer while standing in the water. However, there is another story that mentions how Draupadi and the Pandavas also performed a similar puja to get their kingdom back.

Scientific Significance

Chhath Puja is the best way to get your body detoxified as taking dips in the water and exposing the body to the sun increases the flow of solar bio-electricity which improves the functionality of the human body. It is also said that Chhath Puja helps to kill harmful bacteria and prepares the body for the upcoming winter season.

Rituals Involved in Chhath Puja

Chhath is a four-day festival that starts four days after the famous Indian festival Diwali. Below is the list of Chhath rituals that are involved in Chhath Puja.

Day 1

Nahay Khay: The first days of the Chhath Puja involved devotees taking a dip preferably in the River Kosi, Ganga, and Karnali, and then after the holy dip devotees take home the holy water to prepare the offerings. It is one of the most important rituals of Chhath Puja on the first day.

Day 2

Locanda or Kharna: The second day of Chhath Puja involved devotees fasting the whole day and the fast ends a little later after the sunset. The second important ritual of Chhath Puja involves devotees preparing offerings like kheer, bananas, and rice for the family after worshiping the Sun and the Moon. After consuming the prasad one has to fast for 36 hours without water.

Day 3

Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings): The third day of Chhath Puja is also observed with fast without water and the entire day involves preparing puja offerings. The offerings (prasad) later are kept in a bamboo tray. The offering includes thekua, coconut banana, and other seasonal fruits. The third day’s evening rituals take place at the banks of a river or a pond or any clean water body. All the devotees offer ‘Pragya’ to the setting sun.

Day 4

Bihaniya Arghya: On the last day of Chhath Puja, devotees again assemble on the bank of the River or any water body and then offer prayers and prasad to the rising Sun. After the offerings are done then the devotees break their fast by eating ginger and sugar or anything which is available locally. After all these Chhath Puja rituals this amazing festival ends.

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