Chhath Puja: 2020 – Techiefuel: Science, Space & Technology Blog

The Chhath Puja is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India, primarily in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It is a four-day-long festival that is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his wife, Goddess Usha. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by people from all walks of life.

In 2020, I participated in the Chhath Puja after a very long time, and it was a truly special experience. As a child, I used to celebrate the festival with my family, but as I grew older, I moved away from my hometown and was unable to participate in the festival for several years. However, this year, I was able to take some time off work and travel to my hometown to celebrate the festival with my family once again.

The first day of the Chhath Puja, also known as Nahay Khay, started with a holy dip in the nearby river. It was a cold morning, and the water was icy cold, but the excitement and devotion in the air made the dip much more bearable. After the bath, we prepared a traditional meal of rice, dal, and pumpkin without onion and garlic, and offered it to the Sun God and Goddess Usha. The meal was simple yet delicious, and it tasted even better after the rigorous dip in the river.

The second day, also known as Kharna, was a day-long fast. We woke up early in the morning and offered prayers to the Sun God before starting the fast. Throughout the day, we drank only water and ate nothing until sunset. In the evening, we prepared sweet dishes such as kheer and rice pudding, and offered them to the Sun God after performing the puja. After the puja, we broke our fast and consumed the prasad. The sweet dishes tasted divine, and they were the perfect way to end the day-long fast.

The third day, also known as Sandhya Arghya, was the most important day of the festival. We observed a strict fast without water and food on this day. In the evening, we went to the nearby river with offerings such as fruits, coconut, and sugarcane. We stood in waist-deep water and offered prayers to the setting sun, seeking blessings for our family’s well-being and prosperity. After the puja, we broke our fast and consumed the prasad. The feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction after completing the rigorous fast was indescribable.

The fourth and final day of the Chhath Puja, also known as Usha Arghya, was the most joyous day of the festival. We woke up early in the morning and went to the river to offer prayers to the rising sun. We offered the same offerings as we did on the previous day and performed a puja to seek the blessings of the Sun God. After the puja, we broke our fast and consumed the prasad. The festival concluded with the breaking of the fast, and we greeted each other with the traditional greeting “Chhath Puja ki Hardik Shubhkamnayein.”

Overall, the Chhath Puja was an incredible experience, and I felt blessed to be able to participate in it after such a long time. The festival brought back memories of my childhood and reminded me of the importance of family, tradition, and devotion. It was a time for spiritual awakening, social harmony, and cultural unity, and I look forward to participating in the festival for many years to come.

About Chhat Puja.

Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in various parts of India and Nepal, primarily in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his wife, Usha, and is celebrated for four days in the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in October or November.

The festival of Chhath Puja involves a rigorous four-day-long ritual, during which devotees fast and pray for the well-being and prosperity of their families. The festival begins on the sixth day of Kartik month, with the Nahay Khay ritual, where the devotees take a dip in the river or any water body, and then prepare a meal of rice, dal, and pumpkin for the family. On the second day, devotees observe a fast known as Kharna, during which they prepare sweet rice, kheer, and chapati, which they offer to the Sun God and then break their fast.

On the third day, devotees observe a strict fast without water and food, and offer prayers to the rising sun, standing in waist-deep water in the river or pond. This ritual is known as Sandhya Arghya, and it is considered the most important aspect of Chhath Puja. On the fourth and final day, the devotees break their fast after offering prayers to the setting sun, marking the end of the festival.

The festival of Chhath Puja is known for its colorful and joyous celebrations. People decorate their houses with flowers and lights, and women sing devotional songs dedicated to the Sun God. The festival is also a time for family reunions, and people often invite friends and relatives to share the festive meals.

Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival, but it is also an occasion for social harmony and unity. The festival is celebrated by people from all walks of life, irrespective of their caste and religion, and it is considered a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of India.

The history of Chhath Puja

The history of Chhath Puja can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures, where it is mentioned as a festival of worshiping the Sun God. The festival has been celebrated for centuries in various parts of India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

According to popular belief, Chhath Puja was first observed by the goddess Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. She and her sons used to observe this fast on the banks of the Ganga river, and it is said that their prayers and devotion to the Sun God helped them overcome their troubles and emerge victorious.

Another popular legend associated with Chhath Puja is that it was started by Lord Rama and his wife Sita during their exile. They used to observe this fast and offer prayers to the Sun God, seeking his blessings for a happy and prosperous life.

Over time, Chhath Puja became a popular festival among the people of the region, who continued to observe the traditional rituals and customs associated with it. It is said that the festival gained further prominence during the reign of the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya, who was a devout follower of the Sun God and promoted the festival throughout his kingdom.

Today, Chhath Puja is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in various parts of India and Nepal. The festival has become an important part of the cultural identity of the people of the region, and it continues to inspire devotion and piety among the devotees who observe the rigorous fasts and rituals associated with it.

Detailed step by step process to perform Chhath puja.

The Chhath Puja is a four-day-long festival that is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by people in various parts of India, primarily in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The festival involves a rigorous and elaborate set of rituals, which are performed by the devotees with great sincerity and dedication. Here is a step-by-step guide to perform the Chhath Puja:

Day 1: Nahay Khay

On the first day of the Chhath Puja, the devotees take a holy dip in a river or a water body before sunrise.
After the bath, they prepare a meal of rice, dal, and pumpkin without onion and garlic, and offer it to the Sun God and Goddess Usha, who is considered the wife of the Sun God.
The devotees then break their fast and consume the meal.

Day 2: Kharna

On the second day of the Chhath Puja, the devotees observe a day-long fast, which begins from sunrise and ends after offering prayers to the Sun God at sunset.
The devotees prepare sweet dishes such as kheer, rice pudding, and chapati, and offer them to the Sun God after performing a puja.
After the puja, they break their fast by consuming the prasad.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

The third day of the Chhath Puja is the most important day of the festival, and it is known as Sandhya Arghya.
The devotees observe a strict fast without water and food on this day.
In the evening, they go to a river or a water body with offerings such as fruits, coconut, and sugarcane.
They stand in waist-deep water and offer prayers to the setting sun, seeking blessings for their family’s well-being and prosperity.
After the puja, they break their fast and consume the prasad.

Day 4: Usha Arghya

On the fourth and final day of the Chhath Puja, the devotees go to a river or a water body before sunrise to offer prayers to the rising sun.
They offer the same offerings as they did on the previous day, and perform a puja to seek the blessings of the Sun God.
After the puja, they break their fast and consume the prasad.
The festival concludes with the breaking of the fast, and the devotees greet each other with the traditional greeting “Chhath Puja ki Hardik Shubhkamnayein.”

Overall, the Chhath Puja is a rigorous and elaborate festival that requires a lot of preparation and dedication on the part of the devotees. However, it is a time for family reunions, social harmony, and spiritual awakening, and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by people from all walks of life.