Biharis celebrate this festival on the sixth day of the
lunar month after Diwali each year. The rituals on this festival include
fasting and chanting prayers on the banks of the River Ganga, Yamuna or
river.
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Rituals
and Traditions of Chhath Puja -- the four-day festival
Day 1:
Naha Kha
(sacred bath and
food)
The devotees clean their homes thoroughly. They bathe in the
holy Ganga or Yamuna River (it may be any other fresh water body) at
sunrise. Then the devotee is supposed to bring the holy water home to
prepare ‘Prasad’ or offering. During these four days, the worshipper gives
up all luxuries and sleeps on the floor with a single blanket.
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Day 2:
Kharna/Lohanda
(the day prior to Chhath)
Next morning devotees maintain a strict fast with no water
and food, which ends after sunset, after performing the puja (worship ceremony)
at home. They offer kheer (rice pudding) and fruit to God and then share it
with family and friends.
The day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home.
In the evening the devotees go to a riverbank or pond where the prasad is
offered to the setting sun. The devotees return home for another colorful
celebration. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, they place clay elephants
containing diyas (earthen lamps), and baskets filled with prasad. Agni(fire
god)is worshipped.
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Day 3:
Sandhya Arghya
(evening offerings)
After eating at night the devotee is suppose to start
another fast on the following morning that lasts for 36 hours i.e. till
third day evening. During the sunset on the third day a huge puja is held
on the river banks where millions of people stand in the river with
offerings that include flowers and small diyas (earthen lamps). They break
their fast during this time. The sight of thousand hands offering ‘arghya’
(river water) to sun makes up for a delightful scene. After sunset, the
devotees return to their homes or temples where the celebration continues
by singing hymns.
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Day 4:
Suryodaya Arghya and
Paaran
(next morning offerings)
On the morning of the final day, devotees
with family and friends visit the banks of River Ganga before sunrise
and welcome the sun with folded hands. Sandalwood, rice, sugarcane and
various fruits covered usually with saffron coloured cloth are offered to
the rising Sun God. Devotees offer arghya and chant mantras from the Rig
Veda and distribute the Prasad amongst family and friends.
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The
Festivities And The Rituals:
* Chhatth is a very joyous and colorful festival. All the
people dress up in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both
at home and on the riverbank.
* Millions of people gather at the banks of
river Ganges in Patna (Capital of Bihar) to celebrate Chhatth. The streets
are kept spotlessly clean by volunteers, who also decorate all the streets
leading to the river.
* The prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets
made of bamboo.
* The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without
salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the
food.
* Once a family start performing Chhatt Puja, it is continued
annually by the following generations. If unable to perform the puja
themselves for personal reasons, it is recommended that one should assist
some one else who is performing the puja by providing funds or the prasad
instead of completely missing the puja.
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Legends :
(1)
It is believed that the Maga Purohits (modern days known as Shakya Dwipi Brahmins) were invited by local kings for their expertise in Sun worshiping. They started the tradition of Chhat Puja. Today Chhat Puja is celebrated specially in those places where Shakya Dwipi Brahmins are found.
(2)
It is believed that the ritual of Chhath puja may even predate the ancient Vedas texts, as the Rigveda contains hymns worshiping the Sun god and describes similar rituals. The rituals also find reference in the Sanskrit epic poem Mahabharata in which Draupadi is depicted as observing similar rites.
(3)
In the epic 'Mahabharata', Draupadi and the Pandavas, rulers of Hastinapur (modern Delhi), performed the Chhath ritual on the advice of noble sage Dhaumya. Through her worship of the Sun God, Draupadi was not only able to solve her immediate problems, but also helped the Pandavas later regain their lost kingdom.
(4)
It is also believed that Chhath was started by Karna, the son of Surya (Surya Putra Karna). Surya Putra Karna ruled over the Anga Desh (present day Bhagalpur district of Bihar) during the Mahabharat Age. He was a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War.
(5)
Its yogic/scientific history dates back to the Vedic times. The rishis of yore used this method to remain without any external intake of food as they were able to obtain energy directly from the sun's rays. This was done through the Chhath method.
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Beautiful
folk-songs for Chhatth
There are beautiful folk songs sung for Chhatth. It is a
shame that most of them are passed down in families but are not recorded
for others to hear and enjoy.
Recently a few well known singers have tried to recreate the
folk songs. A few examples can be found in the section 'Chhatt Geet'.
People fast on this day to please 'Chhatth Mata' and sing
songs in her prayer. Women stand near rivers or ponds early in the morning,
singing these songs and waiting for the sun to rise. The prayers are
addressed to 'Chhati Mata' and the Sun God. Mostly the prayer in these
songs is a wish for a son or the longevity of the son.
Chhatth songs are also sung on the sixth day after a baby
boy's birth - as part of the 'Chhatti puja' ceremony.
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छठ पूजा व्रत 2017 के महत्त्वपूर्ण दिवस-
मंगलवार - 24/ अक्तूबर/ 2017 ------- नहा खा
बुधवार - 25/ अक्तूबर/ 2017 ------ खरना / लोहंडा
बृहस्पतिवार - 26/ अक्तूबर / 2017–---- सांझ अर्घ्य (शाम)
शुक्रवार - 27/ अक्तूबर / 2017 –--- सूर्योदय अर्घ्य (सुबह)
शुक्रवार- 27/ अक्तूबर / 2017 ------ पारण
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