New Delhi: The auspicious four-day festival of Chhath Puja, a deeply significant cultural and religious event, is set to begin on Tuesday. Over the next four days, the festival will see a series of meticulously planned rituals and offerings, each carrying a profound spiritual and cultural meaning.
The festival begins with Nahay Khay (bathing and feasting), a ritual symbolising purity and self-discipline. Participants take a ritualistic bath to cleanse their bodies and souls, and then consume a simple meal to signify humility and gratitude.
On the subsequent day, devotees observe Kharna, which involves fasting throughout the day and breaking it only after sunset as an offering to the deities. The person observing the fast takes the roti (chappati) and kheer (rice pudding) meal before the family members and friends gather to eat the same meal on a banana leaf together. This act of sharing the meal after a day-long fast symbolises the importance of community and the spirit of sacrifice in the Chhath Puja festival.
On the third day, the main ritual, which is ascribed to immense devotion, takes place.
Chhath devotees gather at water bodies, including rivers, ponds, and other bodies, before sunrise. Standing waist-deep in water, they offer ‘arghya’ (an offering of water) to the rising Sun. This offering, made with folded hands, symbolises respect and gratitude towards the Sun, the source of life, and is accompanied by chanting of prayers for blessings and prosperity.
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Devotees, clad in traditional attire, gather at riverbanks and sacred water bodies, engaging in elaborate rituals that include singing devotional songs and performing dances. This creates a vibrant atmosphere of community and spirituality, where the sight of colourful decorations, offerings laid on woven baskets, and the collective spirit of devotion paints a striking picture of unity and faith, fostering a sense of belonging among the participants.
In essence, Chhath is not just a festival; it is a deeply spiritual celebration of life, health, and the enduring connection between humanity and nature. As Bihar residents around the world partake in these rituals, the festival continues to thrive as a symbol of cultural identity and spiritual richness. It bridges the past with the present in a beautiful tapestry of tradition, instilling a sense of continuity and tradition in the hearts of the participants.
The festival is dedicated to worshipping Lord Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti. It is popularly observed in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
During the festival, the devotees observe fasting to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on Earth.
This year, Chhath Puja will take place from Tuesday, November 6th to Friday, November 9th.
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IANS
