Chhath Puja is one of the famous festivals celebrated in many parts of India on the 6th day of Kartik Month. Chhath Puja is a festival that is celebrated with a lot of emotion, faith, and gratitude. Chhath puja is celebrated predominantly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, and other regions. On this day, devotees perform austerities to the sun god during sunrise and sunset and offer Him offerings to beget His blessings. Devotees also perform a sacred fast called ‘Vrati’ and pray for the wellbeing of their families. Chhath is an ancient festival dedicated to Lord Surya and His sister Chhathi Maiya.

Who is Chhathi Maiya?

Chhathi Maiya is the sixth form of nature and sister of Lord Surya. According to Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran, among the 16 sixth aspects of nature, the most famous one is Chhathi Maiya, who is the wife of Kartikeya. In the Vedas, Devi Chhathi is also known as Usha, who is the Manasputri of Lord Brahma. In many texts, she has also been described as a part of Goddess Parvati. The sixth day of Navratri, which is also called Shashthi, is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani; hence, Katyayani Mata is the form of the sixth mother.

In Chhath Puja held in Bihar, Chhath Maiya is worshiped in the name of Goddess Katyayani. It is believed that after the birth of a newborn baby, Chhathi is necessary for his better health and bright future, in which Goddess Shashthi or Goddess Chhathi is worshipped because it is believed that Goddess Chhathi protects children from diseases and provides long life and good health.

Unknown stories behind Chhath puja

Chhath Puja is a festival of emotions and traditions and there are many stories behind Chhath Puja. According to the scriptures, Chhath has been mentioned in both the major epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata. People believe that when Ram and Sita returned from their 14-year exile to Ayodhya, people celebrated Diwali, and when Ramrajya was established on the sixth day of Amavasya, four days after Diwali. On this day, Ram and Sita kept a fast and Sita performed Chhath Puja.

Simultaneously, the second story concerns Karna, the child of the Sun God. Additionally, Karna Suryadev’s son is thought to have been a devoted follower of Suryadev. Karna used to stand in the water for hours on end and offer Arghya to the Sun as a form of worship. Draupadi also worshiped the Sun God for the health and longevity of the Pandavas. It is said that due to this devotion, the Pandavas regained their kingdom.

There is another mythological story related to this festival. King Priyavrat and Queen Malini were childless, which made them very sad. Then Maharishi Kashyap advised him to perform Putrakameshti Yagya. When he performed this yagya, Maharishi Kashyap gave the queen kheer to eat, which was meant to be offered to the Lord. After some time, the king and queen were blessed with a son, but their luck was so bad that the child was born dead. When the king went to the crematorium with his son’s body and tried to commit suicide, Chhath goddess ‘Devasena’ also known as ‘Shashthi’ appeared before him.

He told the king that if someone worships him with a true heart and with all the rituals, all his wishes are fulfilled. The goddess advised the king to worship her. Following his advice, the king worshiped Goddess Shashthi with a true heart and kept a fast to please her. Impressed by the king’s devotion, the goddess blessed him with a son. It is said that the day the king performed this puja was Katik Shukla Shashthi and the tradition of performing this puja has been going on since that day. Even today, people observe this fast for the happiness and long life of their family members along with having a child.

Rituals Involved in Chhath Puja

Chhath is a festival of 4 important days that starts four days after Diwali. This year, Chhath Puja will start on Thursday, 5th November 2024, and will end on 8th November.
The first day of Chhath Puja is ‘Nahay-Khay’. On this day, devotees first clean the house and then take a dip in the Kosi, Ganga, and Karnali rivers. On this day, gram pulses, gourd, and red amaranth are eaten with rice. The cooked food is eaten first by the devotee and later by other family members.

Kharna, or Lohanda, is the second day of Chhath Puja. On this day, the person observing fast observes a fast for the whole day, in which he can neither eat nor drink anything. On the day of Kharna, many people offer Arwa rice, jaggery, and ghee on Rasiya Khed, which the devotees eat after worshiping Surya and Chhathi Maiya, after which other family members are invited. One must go without water for 36 hours after eating the prasad.

In observance of Goddess Chhathi a confection known as Thekua is prepared that same evening using sugar syrup wheat flour and ghee as offerings.
The third day of Chhath Puja is Sandhya Arghya, in which fast is observed without drinking water. In the evening of this day, People gather on the banks of a river or pond and offer Arghya to the setting sun. When the fast is going towards the ghat for tarpan, the son or a male member of the family walks ahead carrying a basket made of bamboo, which is called ‘behengi’. It includes fruits, prasad and other things required for the puja.

The last day of Chhath puja is Bihaniya Arghya. On this day, devotees worship the rising sun. On the banks of the river, devotees and other family members assemble once more to appeal to the Goddess Chhathi by singing songs. Then, in the end, they break the fast by consuming Prasad and raw milk. It’s the end of this wonderful festival after all these Chhath Puja rituals.

Scientific Significance of Chhath Puja

The festival of Chhath is one of the oldest festivals, which is said to have been celebrated since the Vedic times to thank Lord Surya for providing life to all. During Chhath Puja, people keep fast, offer Arghya to the rising and setting sun, take baths in holy water, and meditate while standing in water. There is some scientific reason behind all this.

Chhath Puja is referred to as the only Vedic Festival celebrated in India.It is mentioned first in the Rig Veda, comprising hymns worshiping the Sun God. Chhath Puja goes back all the way to the time. It is the only Hindu festival that is backed by scientific claims and represents a scientific process for detoxification and revitalization of the body. Chhath Rituals enhance the absorption of Vitamin D and calcium into the body. The Chhath Puja strengthens the body’s defenses against disease and disinfects the body, which facilitates the healing process.

The festival of Chhath is one of the oldest festivals, which is said to have been celebrated since the Vedic times to thank Lord Surya for providing life to all and pray to the sun for prosperity, longevity, and well-being. The tradition of worshiping the Sun God is also prevalent in the ancient Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations. Not only in Nepal, people in countries like Fiji, Trinidad, Mauritius and Tobago also worship the Sun in their own way.

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