The origin and significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a festival celebrated in reverence to the Sun God. The festival commences with the end of Deepavali. It entails preparations for the purification of the soul. It can be performed by anyone irrespective of caste or religion as the festival is a way to pure mind and soul. However, Chaath Puja of Bihar is particularly famous. The festival is also celebrated in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Delhi and Chandigarh. Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, also known as Surya Shashti. The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and aragh to the setting and rising sun. 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. 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 Mahābhārata in which Draupadi is depicted as observing similar rites. In the poem, 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. 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. 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. It is also said that the Goddess that is worshipped during the famous Chhath Puja is known as Chhathi Maiya. Chhathi Maiya is known as Usha in the Vedas. She is believed to be the consort of Surya, the sun god. Some scholars are of the view that she is only the beloved of Surya and some suggest that She is Surya's wife. Usha is the term used to refer to dawn – The first light of day. But in the Rig Veda she has more symbolic meaning. Symbolically Usha is the dawn of divine consciousness in the individual aspirant. During the Chhath Puja, Chhathi Maiya is invoked to bless us with this divine consciousness which will help us to overcome all the troubles in the world – this bless will help us to Moksha or liberation.Day 1: Nahay khay (literally, bathe and eat) On the first day of Chhath Puja, the devotees take a dip, preferably in the holy river Ganges, and carry home the holy water of the river Ganges to prepare the offerings. The house and surroundings are scrupulously cleaned. The parvaitins allow themselves only one meal on this day.It is also known as " kaddu-bhat" in some region.Generally Parvaitin eat kaddu, channa dal, and arwa chawal (non-boiled rice). Traditionally the food is cooked on an earthen stove & mango wood is used as fuel. Only, preferably, new bronze or earthen utensils are used to prepare the food. If old utensils are used, non veg should never have been cooked in it. But nowadays steel utensils are also used in preparation of the food. Day 2: Kharna or Lohanda (the day before Chhath) On Panchami, the day before Chhath, the parvaitins observe a fast for the whole day, which ends in the evening a little after sunset. Just after the worship of earth, the offerings of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas, are taken to break the fast. No sugar is used, only jaggery is used to sweeten the kheer .This is then distributed among family and friends. From this day on wards, for the next 36 hours, the parvaitin goes on a fast without water. The prasad is prepared by the parvaitin herself in the bronze or earthen ware utensil only. While eating the prasad by parvaitin if any unwanted thing like small stone etc. comes into the mouth immediately they have to stop eating without making any complain. The rice should therefore be clean. There should be no sound. Day 3: Chhath Sanjhiya Arghya (ghat) (evening offerings): The day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. Those who help, also take a bath and fast till all the prasad is made. The wheat is washed and dried and even birds are not supposed to touch it. The mill is washed before grinding. On the eve of this day, the entire household accompanies the parvaitins to a riverbank, pond or a common large water body with the Thekuas fruits, etc to make the offerings (Aragh)of milk to the setting sun. It is during this phase of Chhath Puja that the devotees offer prayers to the just setting sun, while the parvaitin chants the Gayatri Mantra. Traditionally during the aragh the parvaitin should be dressed like a bride and wear a plain saree with border colored with turmeric. But nowadays printed colored sarees are also in use. Day 4: Paarun (the day after Chhath) Bihaniya Aragh(ghat) (next morning offerings): On the final day of Chhath Puja, the devotees, along with family and friends, go to the riverbank before sunrise, in order to make the offerings (Aragh) to the rising sun. The festival ends with the breaking of the fast by the parvaitin and friends visiting the houses of the devotees to receive the prashad. The chhath has so much importance that even millionaire beg for prasad at the Chhath ghat. This symbolizes that all persons are beggar in front of the almighty. Witnessing Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots. After aragh, Ganga maiya is worshipped.