Chhath Puja, the festival of Chatthi Maiya, believed to be the Lord Sun’s sister as per Hindu mythology, is one of the most revered festivals in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. For some, it holds bigger significance than the Diwali festival.
So, what makes Chatth Puja festival unique? Why do people celebrate this festival? Winters have already started, and while the morning waters in the river are almost freezing, what motivates people to step into it without a single shiver? Let’s understand these facts and when and how to celebrate Chhath Puja 2023.
Celebrated with immense spiritual fervor and gusto, Chhath Puja is a festival like no other! This is a four-day-long festival for worshiping Lord Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. The Puja is performed to express gratitude to the gracious Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
The worship of the Sun God spans four days which is why Chhath Puja is a four-day-long festival. Traditionally, Chhath Puja is observed twice each year; once, it is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, known as Chaitra Chhath, and the other is celebrated in the month of Kartik of Vikram Samvat, known as Kartik Chhath. However, the festival celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashti is considered to have special importance.
The festival of Chhath Puja consists of a four-day Vrat observed in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar, which starts on Shukla Chaturthi and ends on Shukla Saptami. The most significant day of the occasion is the night of the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha. According to the Gregorian Calendar, it typically is in the month of October or mid-November. The festival is usually celebrated six days after Diwali.
Given below are the Chhath Puja date and time for 2023 as per New Delhi, India.
Day 1- Nahay-Khay: 17th November 2023 (Friday)
Sunrise- 06:45 AM - Sunset- 05:27 PM
Day 2- Lohanda And Kharna: 18th November 2023 (Saturday)
Sunrise- 06:46 AM - Sunset- 05:26 PM
Day 3- Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya : 19th November 2023 (Sunday)
Sunrise- 06:46 AM - Sunset- 05:26 PM
Day 4- Usha Arghya, Parana Day : 20th November 2023 (Monday)
Sunrise- 06:47 AM - Sunset- 05:26 PM
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On the occasion of Chhath Puja, devotees venerate Goddess Shashti or Chhathi Maiya and Lord Surya. Both these divine beings are hailed on this occasion and venerated with utter reverence, love, dedication, and devotion. Chhath Puja is dedicated to Lord Surya, and Lord Surya is honored during this occasion. The Sun is a divine deity that all of us can see and is credited with providing life to all living things on Earth. In Hindu Vedas, the Sun rays are believed to eliminate negativity and destroy illnesses. The Sun God can also bestow the devotees with self-confidence, wellness, and wealth. Worshiping the Sun God and observing the fast also ensure the fulfillment of all your desires.
On this occasion, Chhathi Maiya is worshiped alongside the Sun God on this festival by the devotees. In Hinduism, Shashthi Devi or Chhathi Maiya is also known as "Manas," the daughter of Lord Brahma, and she is revered by the devotees on this day. In the Bihar-Jharkhand local dialect, Goddess Shashti is known as Chhathi Maiya. According to the Puranas, she is also the Goddess Katyayani, who is worshiped on Navratri on Shashti. Devotees believe that by worshiping Chhathi Maiya on this occasion, the children of the women attain longevity, and the Goddess showers her blessings on them.
Chhath Puja Vrat, or fast, is mainly observed by women for the well-being of their sons and the wellness of their family members. The Chhath Puja Vrat is considered one of the most challenging fasts to observe. Womenfolk observe a completely waterless fast for the health and longevity of the children. On Chhath Puja, worshiping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya will bring you wealth and happiness. Devotees also pray to the Sun God enthusiastically to seek success and wellness for their loved ones.
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Chhath Puja is a unique festival of four days that begins with Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and comes to an end with Kartik Shukla Saptami. In this four-day-long celebration, every day has its own significance and ritual. The Chhath Puja Vidhi and fast can be physically quite demanding. When it comes to Chhath Puja Vidhi, holy bathing, abstaining from drinking water, strenuous fasting, standing in water, and offering Arghya and Prasad to the rising and setting Sun are some rituals that are followed.
Nahay Khay: Nahay Khay initiates the first day of Chhath Puja. On this day, the native takes a dip in the holy water of the Ganges. After that, the house is cleaned, the surroundings are purified with Gangajal (water from the Ganges), and vegetarian food "Kaddu-Bhat" is consumed once. Womenfolk who observe Chhath only consume a single meal on this day.
Lohanda And Kharna: On the second day of the festival of Chhath, devotees fast throughout the day without consuming a single drop of water. Kharna means the fast or Vrat, which is kept for the whole day. Devotees observe a fast without water from sunrise to sunset. After venerating the Sun God in the evening, devotees break their fast. They do so by making food offerings to the Sun God. In the evening, the devotees can eat Kheer made with jaggery, fruits, Puris, or Chapatis full of Ghee.
Sandhya Arghya: On the third day of Chhath, offering Arghya on the Kartik Shukla Shashti to the setting Sun is the primary ritual of the day. The third-day fast continues throughout the night, and Parana is done on the following day after sunrise.
In the evening on this day, a bamboo basket is decorated and consists of fruits, Thekua, and rice Laddus. After which, people offer Arghya to the Sun with their families. At the time of Arghya, water and milk are offered to Lord Sun, and the Chhathi Maiya is venerated and worshiped with a Soop filled with Prasad. Women wear turmeric yellow or saffron-colored sarees and offer Sandhya Arghya to the Sun God. After the worship of the Sun God, Goddess Shashti's songs are sung in the night, and Vrat Katha is recited.
After returning home, the devotees perform the vibrant ritual of 'Kosi Bharai' with their family members. In this ritual, devotees take five sugarcanes and tie them together in order to form a Mandap. And underneath the shade of that Mandap, Diyas or clay lamps are lit, and Thekua and other seasonal fruits are offered. This same ritual is repeated the following day, and afterward, devotees offer Arghya and other offerings to the rising Sun.
Usha Arghya: On the final day, Arghya is offered to the Sun God. This Arghya is given to the rising Sun and is known as Usha Arghya. On this day, before sunrise, the devotees have to go to the riverbank and stand knee-high in the water to offer Arghya and Prasad to the rising Sun and worship the Goddess. Devotees worship the Chhathi Maiya for the protection of their children and the happiness and peace of the entire family. The 36 hours long and strenuous fast is broken after giving Arghya to the Sun by eating the Chhath Prasad.
After worship, devotees drink raw milk, lots of water, or Sharbat. They eat a little Prasad to break their fast, which is called Paran or Parana. Womenfolk perform Parana by consuming a little piece of ginger covered in honey or jaggery and then eating pure vegetarian food.
The fourth day marks the end of Chhath Puja. The Chhath Puja is commonly known as Chhathi, Surya Shashti, Dala Chhath, and Pratihar. Women are regarded as the main worshippers on the occasion of Chhath Puja. However, the festival is not limited to any specific gender. The Prasad prepared for this festival is strictly vegetarian and includes fruits, vegetables, and sweet dishes such as Kheer, Thekua, Khajuria, etc. The food is cooked without onions, garlic, or salt, as the emphasis is placed on maintaining the food's purity. In recent years, Chhath Puja has become more of a folk celebration. This celebration is characterized by immense pomp and spectacle.
Even though Chhath Puja is celebrated with immense enthusiasm all over India, the celebrations and zeal in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh cannot be matched. Additionally, the festival is also observed with equal dedication and reverence in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Goa, and Maharashtra. Moreover, the festival is also celebrated in Nepal.
Undoubtedly, Chhath Puja is an important festival for Hindus worldwide. It is a significant cultural and religious holiday. People from all castes and creeds worship the Sun God to attain well-being, prosperity, harmony, and progress. The Hindu faith places a massive emphasis on Sun worship. The Sun's positive effects ensure that people get self-confidence, prosperity, and good health.
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