People living in Bihar-Jharkhand and in other parts of Northern India eagerly wait for the festival of Chhath. The festival of Chhath is very special for them. People living in other cities also return to their villages under any circumstances. The whole family unites and celebrates the festival of Chhath together. Today on Friday this festival started with Nahay Khay. This day of Nahay Khay has great importance in the Chhath Puja.
Chhath festival is starting from today. This festival is also called as ‘Surya Shashthi’. This festival lasts for four days. This time Chhath Puja is starting on November 17, in Amrit Yoga and Ravi Yoga. Let us tell you the complete program of Chhath festival.
Chhath festival is celebrated with full faith on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day there is a tradition of worshipping Shashthi Mata and Sun God. That’s why this festival is also called ‘Surya Shashthi’. This festival lasts for four days. This time Chhath Puja is starting from 17th November i.e. today. On the first day of Chhath, Amrit Yoga and Ravi Yoga are being formed. Let us tell you the complete program of Chhath festival.
Day 1 – Nahay Khay
Chhath Puja festival starts with Nahay Khay. Which is 17th November this year i.e. today. Sunrise on this day will be at 06.45. Whereas, sunset will happen at 05.27 pm. From Nahay-Khay, cleanliness is maintained in the house for the next four days. Garlic and onion are prohibited. In Nahay-Khay, all the family members including the fasting person consume pumpkin vegetable, gram dal, radish etc. along with rice.
Day 2- Kharna
Kharna is to be held on 18th November. Sunrise of this day will be at 06.46 am and sunset at 05.26 pm. On this day, prasad of jaggery and kheer is prepared and consumed. After consuming this Prasad, the devotee goes on waterless fast for 36 hours. Earthen stove and mango wood are used in making this Prasad.
Third day- Arghya
Ardhya is offered to the setting sun on 19th November, which is also called Sandhya Arghya. Sunset on 19th November will be at 05.26 pm. The third day of Chhath Puja is very special. On this day, Arghya soup is decorated with fruits, thekua, rice laddu etc. in the basket. After this, Arghya is offered while standing waist-deep in water in the river or pond.
Fourth day- Arghya
Ardha will be offered to the rising sun on the fourth day, i.e. November 20. This Arghya will be given after about 36 hours. Sunrise on this day will be at 06.47 am.
Significance
On Chhath festival dedicated to Chhathi Maiya, fasting people pray to Sun God for the happiness and peace of their children and family. Parana takes place after the morning ardhya. With this, the festival ends. It would not be wrong to say that Chhath, the great festival of Sun worship, is one of the most difficult festivals for purity of body and mind. According to astrology, this year there will be a special coincidence on Chhath Puja. Sunday is considered the day of Lord Surya and the first Arghya is falling on Sunday, which will be very auspicious. Also, on this day, the Sun will also enter Scorpio.
History
According to belief, Chhath Mata is said to be the spiritual daughter of Brahma. It is said that by worshipping them, the wish of having a child and long life of the child is fulfilled. According to another belief, she is also called the sister of Sun God.
According to mythological belief, Chhath festival is considered to have started during the Mahabharata period. Karna was born from Kunti’s womb due to a boon given by the Sun God. This is the reason why Karna is called the son of Surya and by the grace of Suryanarayan, he got armour and earrings and due to the glory and grace of Sun God, he became a brilliant and great warrior.
It is said that Karna was a great devotee of Lord Surya and this festival was first started by Suryaputra Karna by worshipping the Sun. Karna used to worship the Sun every day by standing waist-deep in water for hours and offering water to him. Even today, the same method of offering Arghya during Chhath is prevalent. There is another story in this regard that when the Pandavas lost their entire kingdom to the Kauravas in gambling, Draupadi observed a fast on Chhath. By this fast the Pandavas got back their entire kingdom.
