chhath puja 2024
– Photo : amar ujala
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Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, usually begins six days after Diwali. People eagerly wait for this great festival. It has great importance in Hindu religion. Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and some parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. But, now it is celebrated on a large scale in many states across the country and also in foreign countries. In Chhath Puja, there is a tradition of worshiping Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Actually, this great festival happens twice a year. One in the month of Chait and the other in the month of Kartik. Among these, Chhath of Kartik month has special significance. Women observe this fast for the happiness, peace and long life of their children. Let us know from when and till when is Chhath Mahaparva being celebrated this time?
Know, according to the calendar, from which date Chhath starts
According to Banaras and Mithila Panchang, Chhath Puja starts every year from the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. This great festival lasts for four days. As soon as Diwali is over Its atmosphere with Chhath songs Starts to form. The main fast of Chhath Puja is observed on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay on the first day. Kharna has to be done on the second day. On the third day, the fast is broken with evening arghya and on the fourth day, the fast is broken by offering arghya to the rising sun and with this the festival ends. In such a situation, let us know when Chhath Puja is starting this year.
When is Nahay Khay, what happens on this day?
Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay. This time Nahay Khay is on 5th November i.e. Tuesday. Nahay Khay, as its name suggests, means taking bath and eating food on this day. Women fasting on the day of Nahay Khay take bath in a river or pond. If it is not possible to take bath in the river, you can also take bath at home. After this, the fasting women prepare prasad of rice, gram dal and bottle gourd and consume it.
Who is worshiped in Chhath Kharna Puja?
The second day of Chhath Puja is called Kharna. This time Kharna is on 6th November i.e. Wednesday. Kharna Prasad is made on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, mothers observe fast throughout the day and after the puja, they start the 36-hour waterless fast by eating Kharna Prasad. On this day, prasad is made by lighting fire with mango wood in an earthen stove.
When is the first Arghya and second Arghya of Chhath?
On the third day of Chhath Puja, Arghya is offered to the setting Sun God while standing in a river or pond in the evening. This time the first Arghya will be offered on 7th November i.e. Thursday. In this, by placing fruits, sugarcane, rice laddu, thekua and other ingredients in bamboo soup, worship is done while standing in water. Arghya is offered to the rising sun on the fourth and last day of Chhath Puja. This time the second Arghya will be offered on Friday, November 8. On this day, devotees break their fast. They also wish for the long life and good future of their children.
