Write an article on how you celebrated Diwali and And Chhath
Answers
Answer:
Chhath Puja, like every year, will be celebrated on a grand level! Preparations have already begun as it is a big festival in North India, probably one of the most awaited and revered. This auspicious four-day Hindu festival is kind of unique to Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and observed on the sixth day of Diwali. During the Chhath Puja, devotees pray to the Sun God and thank Him for granting their wishes, protecting and bestowing them with happy and healthy life.
Rituals that follow
Chhath Puja celebration in BiharPhoto by: Biswarup Ganguly, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
Observing Chhath requires a different level of determination altogether as the rituals involved are quite rigorous, and hence it’s not everyone’s cup of tea! There is absolutely no chance of mistake. A lot of rituals take place during the course of four days. It includes fasting (no food and no water), holy bathing, standing in water for a long time and giving arghya (offering water to setting and rising sun). Devotees observing fast only eat once in the day.
Importance of Chhath Prasad
Chhath Puja celebration in BiharPhoto by: Biswarup Ganguly, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
The Chhath prasad is considered extremely pious and is prepared under immense supervision. It consists of sweet dishes such as kheer (mandatory), thekua (made using flour, milk and ghee). Sweet lime, sugarcane and banana are must. Even the food prepared for the fasting devotees is cooked without salt and onion.
History and religious significance
Chhath Puja celebration in BiharPhoto by: Abhishek jsr2, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
As per Hindu religious books, Chhath was observed by the Pandava brother and their common wife Draupadi during the time of exile in Mahabharata. It is believed that Draupadi was quite worried and unhappy for some grave reason. Therefore, to absolve her of the sufferings, sage Dhaumya advised her to pray to Sun God and observe Chhath Puja. Draupadi did as advised and soon her wishes were granted and problems were solved. The five brothers also got their lost kingdom back. There’s another story involving Lord Rama and goddess Sita. It is said Sita prayed to the Sun God and observed a fast after returning home from 14 years of exile. From that day, devotees started observing Chhath Puja and it became an important Hindu festival.
Best places to witness Chhath festival in Bihar
Chhath Puja celebration in BiharPhoto by: Biswarup Ganguly, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
Patna: The state capital of Bihar, Patna situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga, hosts the Chhath festival on a grand level. The city is visited by millions of devotees and all the Ganga ghats turn into prayer ground.
Hajipur: Barely 20 km from the capital city Patna, Hajipur looks gorgeous on the day of Chhath Puja with all the lights and religious festival songs playing in the background. The Kaunhara Ghat, situated on the banks of the confluence of Ganga-Gandak, is decorated with colourful lights during the Chhath Puja.
Buxar: A district in Bihar, Buxar is historically known for the ‘Battle of Buxar’ and Chhath Puja. Located on the banks of Ganges, just 130 km from Patna, the city of Buxar witnesses a huge number of devotees praying to the Sun God for four days. It is one of the most celebrated days in the city.
Aurangabad: A city in Bihar, Aurangabad is renowned for its Sun Temple and during Chhath Puja, this temple becomes one of the favourite spots of devotees at large. Hundreds of people visit the city from far and near to be a part of the auspicious festivities.
Answer:
India is a land of festivals where each festival is celebrated with sheer enthusiasm and devotion. One of the most important festivals, which is celebrated just after a week of Diwali, is Chhath Puja. The festival occurs on the Kartika Shukla Shashti, which is the sixth day of the month of Karthika, according to the Hindu calendar.
The four-day-long festival is of great significance and celebrated with great fervour & enthusiasm primarily in the states of North India i.e. Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Devotees mark the festival by observing fast and offering prayers to the god of light, energy and life force i.e. Sun God and his wife Usha, also known as Chhathi Maiya. It is believed that worshipping the sun offers longevity, positivity, prosperity and well being.
Rituals of Chhath Puja
The main worshippers or devotees are known as Parvaitin. Parv in Sanskrit means occasion or festival and Vaiti means the observers of fast. The Parvaitins pray for the well-being, happiness and prosperity of their family members. The Prasad that is offered during Chhath Puja include sweets, Kheer, Thekua, Rice Laddoo, and fruits like bananas, sugarcane, and sweet lime. The 4-day long festival witnesses different rituals every day i.e.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Chaturthi)
As the name signifies, Nahay Khay involves taking a dip in the holy water body and preparing a sattvic meal at home. Lauki curry, Kaddu Bhat with chana daal and roti is common preparation on this day. The women observing the puja consume only one meal on this day.
Day 2: Lohanda or Kharna (Panchami)
The vratis observe Nirjala fast (fast without drinking even a drop of water) from sunrise to sunset. They break their fast only after worshipping the sun during the sunset. The devotees prepare many offerings like sweets, mainly kheer, bananas and rice. After consuming the prasad one has to fast for 36 hours without water.
Day 3: ‘Chhath Puja’ Sandhya Arghya (Shashthi)
The third day is also observed with Nirjala fast and the day is spent by preparing puja offerings. All the offerings and fruits are put in a basket and taken to Chhath ghat, at the banks of rivers or ponds. The devotees stand in the river to offer arghya to the setting sun.
Day 4: Usha Arghya, Parana Day (Saptami)
On the 4th and last day, the devotees go to the riverbank before sunrise and perform the Usha Arghya that includes offering prayers to the rising sun. The festivities end with breaking the 36-hours fast and enjoying with family & relatives by sharing prasad and Chhath Puja greetings.
Explanation:
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