About Chhath Puja: Significance, Benefits, Celebrations

Posted on 05/11/2016 I by: Navneeta

Chhath Puja dedicated to Sun god and his wife is an important festival of the Hindus. The Sun is believed to be the healer and offers longevity, prosperity, progress and well-being in Hinduism. This beautiful festival of great scientific benefits is celebrated in Indian states like Jharkhand, Bihar, eastern UP, regions of Nepal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Chhattisgarh with great devotion.

Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Karthika in the Vikram Samvat. This year the date falls on November 6th, the third day of the festival.

The festival is marked by offering prayers to the Sun god, fasting and taking dips into the Ganga (if possible). Chhath Puja encourages frugality and abstinence from food and water.

Associated Legends

It is believed that Chhath Puja dates back to the times of Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to a certain legend, Lord Rama and Sita observed a fast in honor of the Sun god upon returning to Ayodhya after the exile. They broke their fast at the break of dawn next day and Chhath Puja evolved.

According to the Mahabharata, Karna, the son of Sun god and Kunti offered his prayers while standing in the water and distributing prasad.

Scientific Benefits

Observing Chhath Puja helps the body get rid of toxicity. Those dips in water and sun exposure increases the flow of solar bio-electricity with improves the functionality of the human body.

Celebrations

On the first day/ Naha Kha, devotees have food only after taking bath. They prepare food items like chane ki daal, kheer, kaddu ki sabzi etc.

On the second day also known as the Kharna, devotees observe fast till the Kharna puja. They then offer jaggery laden kheer and puris to the gods and distributed among themselves.

On the third day or Pehla Arghya devotees observe fast without water or food. They take dips in the holy waters of Ganga, Kosi and Karnali to mark the festival.

On the fourth day, they finally break their fast after offering prayers during sunrise.