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Chhath or Dala Chhath
Chhath ( छठ ) is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the
Lord Sun (सूर्य) It is mainly celebrated in northeast region of India in Bihar, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, some parts of Chhattisgarh., Jharkhand and Terai, Nepal.
Chhath is celebrated twice a year for four days each once in summer (May-July), called the Chaiti Chhath and the second time in winter
(October- November) which is known as Kartik Chhath.
The Chhath denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of
Kartik (October-November). The festival of Chhath begins a week after
Diwali (दीपावली ). and extends to four days.
The Chhath puja
celebration is made compulsorily at bank of river, pond, lake, canals
etc and aragh to the setting and rising sun.. The devotees sing folk songs in groups. The observing fast for complete 3 days and strict rules of worship
demonstrate the religious sentiment, high faith and discipline in people of the region..
The folk songs sung on the eve of Chhath shows the culture, social structure, mythology and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Chhath is a festival dedicated to the Lord Sun (सूर्य).
The worshiper after ritual bathing, worship the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a water tank.
Since Chhath is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, so it is also known as Surya Shashti. Chhatt is celebrated as thanks to the Sun for
providing the necessities of life on earth, and also for fulfilling particular wishes.
The ritual of Chhath puja mentioned in the ancient Rigveda
contains hymns worshiping the Sun god. The rituals also find reference in Mahabharta text in which Draupadi is depicted as observing Chhath
Puja.
The main worshipers are usually women called
"Parvaitin". However, a large number of men also observe this festival. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of
their family, for prosperity and for offspring. Once a family starts
performing Chhatt Puja, it is carried on also to the following generations.
The four days of Festival:
The festival of Chhath is marked by celebrations and rituals that last four days.
First day (called Naha-Kha ): The devotees bathe in the holy River Ganga (गंगा) to wash away their sins and carry home the holy water of
the river Ganges to prepare the offerings. On this day they also clean their homes thoroughly.
Second day (called Kharna): The devotees observe a fast for the whole day, which is broken in late evening, after performing the puja
at home. Generally the devotees offer kheer and fruit to Sun God and then the food is shared with family and friends.
Third day:: On this day the the devotees go to a riverbank or pond with the Prasad prepared at home and the Prasad is offered to the setting
sun. After return at home they worship Agni with earthen lamps, and baskets filled with prasad.
Fourth day: On the final day of the festivities the
devotees with family and friends go to the riverbank. Prasad is offered to the rising sun. The devotees
is then break their fast and the prasad is distributed among all the people.
Mythology
The ancient Mahabharata there is a references of worshipping of sun by Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas. She believed that by
worship of Sun-God helps to cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and ensure longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. It is
also believed that Chhath was started by Karna, the son of Surya, a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War. |
A sea of humanity offered
“arghya” to the Sun God at sunrise on various ghats of River Ganga (गगां) on Chhath
festival 2011 on October 30, 2011. They offered prayers after taking holy dip in various
rivers across Bihar with the four-day Chhath festival beginning with "Nahai Khai"
Chhath, celebrated five days as:
Naha Kha- 30 October, 2011
Kharna / Lohanda - 31 Oct., 2011
Sanjha Urga - 1 Nov., 2011
Subah Urga - 2 Nov., 2011
Paran-
- 2 Nov., 2011
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