Chhath Puja - 30th October 2022.

Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashthi, is one of the major festivals of North India. This festival is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and also in some parts of Nepal. The festival starts in the month of Kartika on the sixth day. It is also celebrated after Holi but the Chhath falling in Kartik month is more important.

The festival lasts for four days and is dedicated to worshipping Lord Sun and his wife Usha. People express gratitude to the Sun God for blessing the earth with life. The devotees seek his blessing to keep the family healthy and wealthy.

Chhath Puja is a four-day-long strict and spiritual ritual. The festival is related to both Ramayana and Mahabharat. It is said when Lord Ram and Goddess Sita came back from exile and ascended the throne, they kept a day-long fast for Sun God. Later, it evolved into Chhath Puja.

Another story says, Karna, the son of Kunti and Sun God offered Arghya by standing in water which later became Chhath Puja. One more story says, Draupadi and Pandav did Chhath puja to get their kingdom back.

The first day of the Chhath Puja includes taking a dip in the holy river/any water body. People also take the water of holy rivers to their homes to perform special offerings and rituals. Houses are thoroughly cleaned on this day.

The second day of Chhath, also known as Kharana, involves devotees observing a day-long fast. The fast is broken after sunset right after performing the worship of Mother Earth. The offerings to God include rice pudding (kheer) and fruits, which are distributed among family members and friends. This is deemed the real prasadam of the festival. The third day of Chhath is dedicated to the preparation of the prasad (offerings) for the evening offerings, also known as Sanjhiya Arghya.

During Sanjhya Arghya, people worship the setting sun. During the afternoon, devotees gather at ghats in large numbers. The folk songs are played depicting the culture and history of Bihar. The night of the third day celebrates a colourful event known as Kosi.

A canopy is made from sugarcane sticks and lighted earthen lamps are placed inside the canopy along with baskets filled with prasad. On the fourth and final day of Chhath, the devotees go to the banks of rivers before sunrise to offer Arghya to the rising sun. After this ritual, devotees break their fast and distribute Prasadam among the neighbours and relatives.

This year Chhath Puja falls on 30th October 2022.

Long live the tradition of Chhath Puja. Team Ekohumm wishes you peace and abundance on this day.