Chhath Puja 2017

One of the most ancient Hindu Vedic festivals is Chhath Puja which is celecrated widely in parts of Terai in Nepal and in many states of India such as UttarPradesh and Bihar. This festival is observed over the period of 4 days dedicating to Lord Surya, the sun god and his wife Usha. In those 4 days pujas are performed worshiping them for their blessings to sustain life on earth. This year the puja is celebrated from 24^th of October to 27^th of October. The main day of Chhath is on 26^th of October. It is called Chhath because it is celebrated on the sixth day of month Kartika.

People perform different rituals during the four days. They fast, holy bathe and even abstain from drinking water. They also offer prayers and Prasad to the form of rising and setting sun which is a very crucial part of the four-day-festivity. There are people who also perform prostration march as a symbol of devotion while heading towards the river bank. These four days have different names and are celebrated differently with different traditions each day.

The first day is called Nahay Khay where devotees take a holy dip in the river to purify themselves from sins and women observe fasting. Some of the women even take the holy water from the river for cooking. Lohanda and Kharna are observed on the second day on which women observe fasting from the sunrise to sunset.

The third day is considered main by the devotees, where they fast and even abstain from drinking water. Offerings are made to the setting sun which is called Arghya on this day. Fasting is then broken after 36 hours of fasting on the final day. People pray for the well being of their families and offering prayers. Chhath Puja is celebrated and followed every year until one of the family members die. That one year the family takes a break from the puja and continues in the coming year.