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Chhath is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, along with other North Indian states. This festival is celebrated after the completion of Diwali, which generally falls in the months of October and November. Chhath Puja is dedicated to Sun God for supporting life on earth and ensuring prosperity and happiness in life. The history of the Chhath Puja dates back to ancient Vedic times as the hymns associated with the worshipping of Sun God are present in Vedic text Rigveda. Some people also believe that the rituals of Chhath Puja were started by Draupadi of epic Mahabharata.
There is another theory regarding the origin of Chhath Puja, which also relates from Mahabharata. It is believed that Karna, the great warrior and the son of the Surya started the rituals of Chhath Puja. According to Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik month. Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a bathing festival followed by a four day period of abstinence and ritual purity. This festival is widely observed in Bihar where a large number of sun temples are present. These sun temples are generally surrounded by a surajkund, also known as sacred pool of sun, which constitute of the place of worship for the devotees. Traditionally, Chhath Puja is performed by women, however large number of men also register their presence during this festival. Chhath Puja is a four-day long strict and spiritual observance.
The first day of the Chhath Puja includes taking a dip in the holy river Ganges. People also take the water of Ganges to their home to perform special offerings and rituals. Houses are thoroughly cleaned on this day. The second day of Chhath, also known as Kharna, involves devotees to observe a day long fast which is broken in the late evening after performing the worship of Mother Earth. The offerings to the God include rice pudding (kheer) and fruits, which is distributed among family members and friends. The third day of Chhath goes in the preparation of the prasad (offerings) for the evening offerings, also known as Sanjhiya Arghya.
History
The Chhath Puja, which is also known as Dala Chhath, is a significant festival celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and in many other states of India as well. The setting sun is worship in this puja. Chhath puja is celebrated most elaborately in Bihar and also in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and even Mauritius, mostly amongst Bhojpuri and Maithali speaking people. The puja is being done since time immemorial with unvarying faith that the Sun God fulfills wishes if the ritual of 'araghya' is offered with complete devotion. The people also worship 'Chhathi Maiya' on this day.
It is said that the Puja is being performed since ancient time by Draupadi, the wife of 'Pandavas' king during their exile from their kingdom. One day they were visited by 88 thousand 'Bhikshuk' (wandering hermits). As per Hindu customs, the guests are supposed to be treated well and offered food. But the Pandavas barely had enough food for themselves. Seeing the Pandavas in deep trouble, Draupadi asked help from the noble sage Dhaumya, who was pleased with her merits of worshiping the Sun God. Draupadi not only solved their immediate problem but her Sun worship later helped Pandavas regain their lost Kingdom.
Celebration
The festival connects with purity, devotion and thanks to Sun God as it is the source of life on earth and is observed as he deity who fulfills wishes. The Chhath Puja is done for four days continuously. The people in Bihar specially wait for this festival and celebrate every day in the following way:
Day 1 : Nahai Khai - The first day is known as 'Nahai Khai' which means Bath & Eat. The 'Vrati' or devotees take bath in the sacred river Ganga and take back the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.
Day 2 : Kharna - On the second a complete day fast without water is observed by the devotees. They end their fast after doing the puja in the evening. Offerings or Prasad includes puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy). Chapattis and bananas are distributed among family, friends and visitors.
Day 3 : Sandhya Arghya or Evening Offering - The third day is also observed with fast without consuming water. The entire day is spent in preparing puja offerings which are made and kept in a tray made out of bamboo. The offerings include Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits. The evening rituals are done at the banks of a river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees assemble and the 'araghya' is offered to the setting Sun.
Day 4 : Bihaniya Arghya or Morning offerings - As the last day of the auspicious puja, devotees again assemble on the bank of a river or pond to present offerings to the rising Sun. After the offerings are made, devotees break their fast by either eating ginger and sugar or whatever their local tradition holds.
Bihar has a long list of celebrations. These fair and festivals are divided into two parts, seasonal and permanent. Seasonal fairs are those which are held in the particular season and the time of such fairs is determined by the lunar calendar, whereas permanent fairs those which are held throughout the year once or twice a week. Seasonal fairs are basically religious in character, whereas permanent fairs are commercial in its composition. Bihar has a tradition of festivals from time immemorial .Bihar as an ancient land has a long list of festivals and fairs which the people of Bihar actively take part in. The most famous festival of Bihar is Chatth Puja. Festivals always break the monotony of day-to-day life and inspire us to promote love and brotherhood and to work for the upliftment of the society. Observed mostly by the people of North Bihar, this puja is devoted for the worship of the Sun God. The other main festivals of Bihar include Kartik Purnima, Holi, Dussehra, Deepavali, Saraswati Puja, Bhaiya Dooj etc.
