Write an Article For Your School Magazine on Hues and Colours of Chhath Puja
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Ever wondered what does the word 'chhath' mean? Why is it celebrated? What are the different rituals observed during chhath pooja?
Well if not, then just sit back reading this article which will reveal you about the importance, rituals, how does it began and about other various details related to this festival devoted to Sun.
So 'chhath' is a word which means 'sixth' in Maithili language. Chhath Pooja is celebrated on the 6th day of Kartikeya month according to the Hindu Luni solar calendar and hence it gains the name 'Chhath Pooja.' This festival is considered to be of the utmost importance in the Mithlanchal region, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand. Along with, it is also celebrated in Nepal besides being celebrated in India. Without Sun life on earth is something which humans can't even imagine. So this festival is basically celebrated to offer worship towards Lord Sun and his younger wife Usha for their grace and mercy upon the lives on Earth.
How does this festival started?
There are various myths or stories related to the beginning of this feature. Let me share two of them with you. As mentioned earlier this festival is celebrated in the Kartikeya month so as per some ancient beliefs it's considered that Lord Rama and his wife Sita observed a fast in the month of Kartikeya and offered worship to Lord Sun after their return to Ayodhya from the 14 year of exile.
As according to the other belief, the beginning of this important festival dates back to the vedic times. The rishi munnis used to stay without gaining energy from food, instead they used to absorb energy just from the Sunrays and from there this ritual spreaded wide over in the Mithlanchal region giving rise to the Chhath Pooja.
What are the rituals observed?
This festival is observed for 4 days. This festival considers of a fast observed for 4 days. The first day it called the 'nahay khaay.' During this a chhathvarti snaan is taken by the 'pavnaiti' and a veg meal is taken. Second day is 'kharnaa' during this day at the evening the pavnaiti takes a meal after observing fast for whole day. A special kind of prasaad is offered on this day. There is no use of sugar and salt in the prasaad made. The third day is 'sandhya arghya.' On this day, worship is offered to the sun while it sets down the horizon in the evening. Each and every pavnaiti gathers in groups and offer arghya to the setting sun with milk and water standing in the river facing the setting sun. And the fourth day is called the 'ushaa arghya.' During this, worship is offered by pavnaiti by gathering at the same spot from where they offered 'sandhya arghya.' In this 'ushaa arghya' worship is offered to the rising sun early in the morning. The fast of pavnaiti is then complete.
Along with Lord Sun the Goddess who is worshipped is knows as the Chhathi Maiya. Pavnaitis seeks blessings from Chhathi Maiya by hailing her and offering arghya.
Chhath is one of the major festival of Bihar. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement. The real taste of enjoyment of chhath can be only felt being in Bihar. The way things are arranged, the precautious nature about everything related to this festival tells us a lot that how important this festival is to the peoples of/in Bihar. It is a festival of great joy.
Answer:
With thousands of devotees swarming in to pay their reverence to the Sun God, Chhat is the most revered and pious festival of Bihar. It speaks highly of the deep rooted folk culture and heritage of the state. The word Chhath denotes the number six as it commences on the sixth day from Amavasya (Diwali). Devoted to the Sun God, Chhat requires an arduous observance of fast without water for more than 24 hours. The Parvaitin (one who observes the parv/puja) follows a period of abstinence and segregation from the main household for two days and is also supposed to carry the ritual of bathing in the holy water of Ganges only.
Nahaye-Khaye - On the first day of Chhat, the parvaitin takes the holy bath and cooks a proper meal sans onion and garlic. Her fast begins after the meal and is only broken on the next evening.
Kharna - On the second day of the festival, the parvaitin cooks the prasad on her own that includes kheer and chapattis. She breaks her fast with this prasad and the leftovers are distributed as the most pious prasad of Chhati maiyya.
Pehla Arghya - The two day fast begins, on the third day of the puja. The parvaitin along with the devotees, walk to the Ghats to offer Arghya to the setting sun. The Arghya is an offering of milk and gangajal and is considered to be amrit. When I said that compliance of Chhat is arduous, I was not just referring to the fasts. Since Chhat is celebrated in winters, it is mighty difficult for the parvaitins and devotees alike to stand waist deep in the chilly waters of the river and offer Arghya. It is believed that one who observes Chhat must not wear anything stitched. Hence, most parvaitins (brave they must be) just drape a sari around them!
Doosra Arghya - The journey towards the Ghats begins again early morning on the fourth day. Personally, my favourite part of the festival (except for the part where we get prasad, of course!), where the sky is still mahogany black and millions of diyas and fireworks enlighten the Ghats; the sight is nothing less than a magical procession. Truly, one can only witness the event to understand and feel the sheer piety and beauty of this festival. The entire Ghat is decorated with terracotta lamps and canopies of sugar-cane stalks where the devotees keep their soops (baskets). Each soop consists of the Chhat prasad that includes and the first crop of the season. The morning Arghya is offered again to the rising sun with hymns and folk songs, praying to the Sun god to ward off evil and dark spirits and enlighten the world with sanctity and goodness.
While the rituals are pious and interesting, there are numerous fascinating things about this festival. On your way to the Ghats, you will most likely get a chance to see some devotees who do not walk on foot! Yes, there are some who roll on their backs all the way from their house to the Ghats (which can be several kilometres)! Another bemusing site is to see really old women observe the puja and be absolutely fine even after plunging waist deep in the chilly river. But most enthralling is the ambience that is created during the four days of the festival. The roads are flamboyantly decorated with stalls of food and toys on their sides, women with vermillion down till their nose never seem to stop chanting the Chhat folk songs, children and men alike drowned in the fervour of the festivity- Chhat Puja is not just a festival, it’s a carnival of joy and love blended with devotion and holiness that brings families and friends together.
hope it helps dear..