Baro Mase Tero Parbon: 2015

Happy Chhat Puja to all of you.....

Let's see some facts regarding Chhat Puja....

1. Chhath is one of the biggest festivals of Bihar and is also celebrated in some other states of India also.

2. The festival involves worshiping and thanking the Hindu God of Sun over a period of four days during which most devotees keep fast.

3. Traditionally, the festival is observed twice a year - once during the summer season and the second during winters. Kartik Chhath is performed in the month of winter i.e. October-November and Chaiti Chhath falls in the early months of summer.

4. The devotee who observes fast during Chhath is called Vrati. They observe fast for four days.

5. Chhath involves devotees praying at the riverbank during sunrise and sunset. Scientifically, the solar energy has lowest level of ultraviolet radiations during this time, which makes it beneficial for the body.

6. The first day - Nahai Khai - starts by taking a dip in holy Ganges or by sprinkling Ganga-jal (holy water) and worshiping the sun God after which Kaddu-Bhaat (pumpkin curry and rice) along with Channa Dal is prepared and eaten.On the first day, devotees abstain from eating apart from the morning meal until the next day's evening (Kharna) where they eat kheer, chappatis and fruits.

7. The second day is known as Lohand.

8. The third day is called Pehla Argha/ Saandhya Argha. Those on a fast, completely abstain from eating anything on this day. The sinking sun is worshiped and given offerings (Argha) in the evening.

9. The final day - Doosra Argha/Suryoday Argha - sees devotees giving Argha and worshiping the sun early in the morning post which devotees break their fast (Paran) by consuming the Chhath Prasad including kheer, sweets, thekua and fruits.

10. Rice, wheat, fresh fruits, dry fruits, coconut, nuts, jaggery and dollops of ghee go into the making of traditional chhath meals as well as Chhath Prasad.Meals during Chhath - especially the Chhath Prasad - are prepared strictly without onion, garlic and salt. Some devotees may use rock salt.

11. The festival also marks the celebration of the new harvest. The offerings given to Suryadevta include fruits and food preparation made with this fresh harvest.

Mythology:

This puja was first done by the Shakya Dwipi Brahmins; this is why it is still celebrated in areas that are dominated by them. This puja was also done by the Draupadi for Pandavas and also by Karna in Mahabharata. In the Rig Veda there is a detailed procedure mentioned on this festival. The rishis would follow this festival very closely. They would worship sun god and stop taking any external food stating that they will get the energy directly from the lord of Sun. They would fast for days and after doing the puja they would break the fast. Slowly it became a major festival for the common man as it is today.

Chhathi Maiya:

The Goddess who is worshiped during this festival is called the Chhathi Maiya. She is known as Usha in the vedas. The ray of the sun is what Usha means in the Rig Veda. This ritual also finds a mention in this Veda. The ritual is such that whoever is doing this puja must stay away from all worldly pleasures for four continuous days. They should sleep on the floor that too on a single blanket and without pillow. They also fast during these days and some even don’t take water. This festival is mostly celebrated by women. However, many men too actively participate in the same.There is an interesting story that is associated with it. The families who have been doing it must do it every year and also follow it for generations to come. If due to some reason someone skips this then a member of the family would die. Since it has been observed that many times this has turned out to be true, this is just presented in the form of common belief amongst the masses. It is not possible that all members of the family keep it. However, at least one person must follow it.

Food Items:

On the day of the puja the gods are offered kheer, thekua (this is a sweet that is made in every house during this festival) now a days it is also sold in shops, fruits and bamboos. The food that is cooked on the puja day for the worshipers to have is cooked without salt, onion and garlic. These substances are believed to spoil the purity of the food so are avoided.

Puja Process:

On the first day of the puja, the worshipers wake up early in the morning. They dip in the holy Ganges. They then take some water home to make the offerings as described above. A heavy cleaning of the house is done for this puja.The worshipers are allowed to eat only kaddu bhat, channa dal and non-boiled rice. This food is traditionally made in an earthen stove that is especially made for this purpose and mango wood is used. The cooking utensil should preferably be a bronze one. The worshiper must ensure that they never cook non veg items in this utensil again. In today’s world people do use steel utensils.

On the day two of this festival, the worshipers fast for the whole day. They can break the fast a little before the sunset. Kheer, banana and puri is eaten mostly to break the fast. The kheer is made with jiggery no sugar is used. The same can be distributed among the family and friends. After this the worshiper goes on a thirty six hour long fast and that too without water.

On the day three of Chhath the worshiper spends most of the time at home making prasad. They can take help from people who are not fasting. However, the helpers must ensure that they have taken bath. The ingredients that are used must be pure and new. None of it must have been touched by a bird or animal of any kind. The worshiper takes these prasad or offering in the evening to a river bank or a pond. They throw the thekuas, fruits and milk to the sun by pouring them into the water. The worshiper must pronounce the Gayatri Mantra while doing this. She should dress like a bride.The worshiper must wear a plain saree with a yellow border always. The Chhath song is sang in the back ground by the friends and families of the worshiper. On the night of this day, five sugarcane sticks are taken. They signify the five elements that the human body is made up of. These are the (earth, water, fire and ether). A lamp is lit on the head of these five bamboo sticks.

Now we move on to the final day of the Chhath pujan, the worshiper along with their family go to the river in the early morning. They offering their prayers and the offerings that they had been carrying with them. After this the fast is broken with an intake of prasad. The prasad is also given to friends and families. Even millionaires go to houses begging for the prasad. This is a symbolic gesture as an acceptance of the fact that all are beggars in front of the all mighty.

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHHAT PUJA!!!!

Information is collected from different sources...thanks to all of them....