Chhath Puja

Introduction

Chhath, also known as Dala Chhath is an important festivalBihar and many other parts of India in which setting Sun (dawn) is worshiped . Although Bihar celebrates Chhath most elaborately it is also followed in some parts of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam, Mauritius, mainly among the Bhojpuri and Maithali speaking people. Chhath is also important for Nepalese worshippers of god as well as in eastern Uttar Pradesh.The best place to witness Chhath would be around Northern Bihar where it is celebrated in great grandeur. The festival is observed and in Bihar since time immemorial with the constant faith that the Sun God fulfils wishes if 'araghya' is offered with complete dedication and devotion.

Chhath is not just a physical attachment to the people of Bihar, it is also present in their hearts, and this is why the people bring wherever they have migrated. Nowadays it can be easily seen at the ghats of Yamuna in Delhi and other parts of India indicating its presence across the country. celebrated in

It is a festival connected with purity, devotion to the Sun God who is considered as the source of life on this earth and is regarded as wish fulfiller.

The festival is with an aim to express thanks to Sun God for offering energy to earth continuously enabling the environment suitable for the people to live.

In the evening arghya people express their thanks to Sun God for its work in growing their crops during the preceding year and morning arghya is considered as a request for a bountiful crop, peace and prosperity in the year to come.

Devotees assemble at the ghats at rivers and ponds including Ganges and take a holy dip before preparing offerings (Prasad). The main constituent of the offerings are Thekua, which is a wheat based cake.

Offerings are preferably cooked on earthen Chulha (oven). Some traditions are exercised with little difference varying from region to region and across the families with basic similarity.

During the , offerings are contained in small, semicircular pans woven out of bamboo strips called soop.

Chhath is a Hindu festival but many muslim families also participates in this holy festival.

Legends

In ancient time the festival of Chhath was performed by Draupdi, the wife of “Pandavas” king of Hastinapur (Modern Delhi) during their exile from their kingdom. One day they were visited by 88 thousand wandering hermits ( Bhikshuk). According to the Hindu customs guest were treated heartily and offered foods in the reception.

But Pandavas barely enough for themselves and thus were hardly in a position to fulfill their obligation as Grihastha (householders) and offer meals to the visiting hermits. Seeing Pandavas in deep anguish, Draupdi asked for help to noble sage Dhaumya, who pleased upon her the merits of worshiping the Sun God. Draupdi was not only able to solve the immediate problem but her Sun worship helped the Pandavas later gain their lost Kingdom.

International Relevance

The tradition of worshiping Sun God , the saviour of the life on earth had also found in the Egypt and Babylon the oldest civilizations of the world.

Celebrations

Celebrations for Chhath Puja are followed for four days continuosly with lots of fun and fervour. People specially at Bihar wait for the festival from long time and celebrate each day in the following manner:

Day 1- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat) The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.

Day 2- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.

Day 3- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.

The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.

‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).

The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).

Day 4 - Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).

Essential Items for the Puja

• Basket and tray made up of bamboo (Dala and Soop)
  
• Wheat flour and Sugar
  
• Coconut and other seasonal fruits like orange, apple, radish, ginger, gagal (a kind of lemon)
  
• Red or yellow piece of cloth to cover the basket
  
• Cloves, dry fruits, sweets, pan, a red flat leaf
  
• Sugarcane

Rituals of Chhath Puja

• It is a relevant tradition regarding Chhath Puja if a family start offering then the family should continue the tradition . If any case the family do not able to offer the puja, they should co-operate or assist friends, relatives, neighbours or some one else who is performing it .
  
  It is also believed that helping or assisting devotees give fruitfull result to the person who helps them. There are so many people who use to carry the baskets containing offerings to the ghats.
  
  Utensils are cleaned and purified to cook offerings (Prasad). Devotees use to sleep on the floor on a single blanket during .
  
  Foods and Prasads (offerings) are cooked with dry wood on new oven made of brick and soil. Garlic and Onions are kept away. Rock Salts, Pure Ghee, Sugar etc. are used.
  
  
  Devotees use to stand in knee deep water or waist deep water at the time of offering “Arghya” to setting or rising Sun. New cloths are essential for devotees. Devotees use to wear unstiched cloths (as per local tradition).
  
  
  Visitors touch the feet of devotees and get prasad. No one hesitate in demanding prasad from even a strangler.
  
  Devotees are mainly women called Parvaitin derived from Sanskrit means ‘ocassion or festival’. Devotees are mainly women but a large number of men also the main worshiper.
  
  Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the banks of river or pond in the honour of “Surya Dev” and “Chhathi Maiyya”.All the road goes towards the ghats are cleaned and decorated. Ghats are decorated with colourful papers, ribbons , banners and lights.
  
  There are so many people who use to sleep on the bank of river or pond where ever they perform the :.
  

• Clay elephant
  
• Earthen lamps
  
• Wide mouth earthen pot
  
• Akshat (chawal)
  
• Vermillion (sindoor), turmeric,
  
• Copper pot to offer JAL
  
• Flower especially red (Hibiscus or any red colour flower)
  
• Dhoop, Deepak, matchsticks

Sun temples in Bihar

• Deo
  One of the most famous Sun temples situated here. Deo is situated in Aurangabd district of Bihar, 150 km from state capital Patna. Deo is the most ancient of all sites where the King Aila of Prayaga (Allahabad) was cured of leprosy.
  
  Surajpur
  Situted in Nalanda district of approximately 90 kms from Patna, the village has been named after the Sun himself. The place is for its beautiful sculpture of Surya and Buddhist deities.
  
  Deo Barunark
  It is located 99 kms from Patna, there are ruins of several temples but those dedicated to the Sun. In one of the temples are the remains of the Sanctum Sanctorum and the Assembly Hall with its ornamental pillars.
  
  Deo Markandeya
  Nearly 119 kms from Patna is the site of Sun temple marked today by a small structure containing a number of sculptures of solar deities.
  
  
  Chhath Puja, although initially organized and celebrated exclusively by the people of Bihar, later it embraced people across the country. Presently research and experiments establish the view that a good number of festivals which have resemblances to Chhath Puja are celebrated all across the world. So, in a way, Chhath Puja can be considered not only as a domestic or national festival but also it’s a festival of international brotherhood and national sensitivity.
  

Chhath Puja 2009

• Chhath is also called ‘Suryasasthi’ as it observed after the six days of Diwali, the festival of light. Chhath takes place during 6th day (Shasthi) lunar fortnight of Kartik month. lasts for four days. There is also a "Chaiti Chhath" just after Holi during Chaitra Navratri in the month of Chaitra (March last to mid April).
  
  In 2009, the festivity for Chhath puja will begin from October 22 and last till October 25
  
  
  • First Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Nahai Khai is on October 22, 09.
  
  • Second Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Kharna is on October 23, 09.
  
  
  • Third Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Chhat Sandhya Argh (Chhat Dala Evening puja) is on October 24, 09.
  
  
  • Fourth Day of Chhath Puja:
  
  Chhath Suryodaya Argh (Chhath Dala Morning puja) is on October 25, 09.