Importance of Chhath Puja in Hindu Rituals

Introduction:

Chhath Puja also called Chhathi, Dala Chhath, Surya Shasthi, etc. is celebrated on the 6th day or ‘Shasthi’ of the lunar fortnight of Kartik month according to Hindu calendar. It is a famous Hindu Festival in the Eastern and Northern states of India and even in Nepal. Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to the Lord Sun (Surya Bhagwan), which people believe sustains life on the earth. The Chhathi, Chhath or Dala Chhath puja is performed to seek blessings from Lord Surya to live healthy, longer and prosperous life. Chhath literally means “6” and here this special event gets started just six days after Diwali.

          

It is believed that the Chhath Festival was started by the Mahabharata hero Karna, who was the son of Surya (Sun God) and Kunti. Since, Karna was the offspring of the Lord Sun; he performed the puja during this time. Since then, Chhath Puja is celebrated. Another important Goddess worshipped on Chhath is also referred as the 'Chhathi Maiya' who is actually Usha, the consort of the Lord Surya. 'Usha' refers as the first light of the day. 'Chhathi Maiya' is worshipped to invoke our awareness and overcome all the hardships that we are likely to face.

Rituals and significance on the festival of Chhath: Chhath Puja Festival is generally celebrated for four continuous days.

• Nahay Khay- The first day is known as Nahay Khay. On the first day, devotees take a dip in the holy river, like Ganga and observe fast for half of the day.
  
  
• Kharna and Lohanda - On the second day of the Festival, the devotees observe fast for a whole day. The second day fast is broken after making offerings of kheer and puri to the Surya Bhagwan (Lord Sun) during sunset.
  
  
• Sandhya Arghya- The offerings made to the Surya Bhagwan (God Sun) is prepared on the 3rd day. During sunset, people gather to the river bank and offer Sandhya Argh. 
  
  
• Usha Arghya- On the last day of this festival, the devotee accompany him/her to the river bank and make offerings to the rising Sun. After the puja, the devotee breaks his/her fast. The prashad or sacred food is then distributed to everybody present.