Chhath Puja is a religion festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun. This festival pays value to the nature, the Sun for providing life on Earth. It is said the worship of Sun ensures well being of family, prosperity, and progress.
The festival is celebrated widely in Bihar. The religious festival is also celebrated some of the parts of Northern India such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhatishgarh, Gujrat, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. This most pious festival is also celebrated in Mauritius.
It is celebrated twice in year in the months of Kartik and Chaitra. Kartik Chhath Puja is very famous and celebrated with great enthusiasm. This is a 4 days festival - Nahay Khay - bath and eat (1st day), Kharna (2nd day), Sanjhiya Arghya - worshipping Sun in evening (3rd day), and Subah ka Arghya/Parna - worshipping Sun in morning and breaking fast (4rth day). The festival usually starts from the 6th day of the Diwali.
The worshippers of the Puja, Parvaitin fast for about 36 hours continuosly withous water. They have to take bath in the river and meditate for some period, while standing in water. Before, puja is preceded, prasad is made - thekuya (khasta) is made. Various types of fruits are alos brought for offering in prasad.
The festival is done at the bank of holy river, Ganga. However, it is also celebrated at the banks of other rivers, where Ganga does not flow.
Glam of Chhath Puja in Haiipur:)
Most of the people visit, Ghat of river Sone for the Puja in evening and morning. Some of the popular ghats are Balaji Das Ghat, etc. The ways leading to Ghat are decorated and lighted for the comfort of worshipers and others taking part in the festival. The roads are also cleaned for sanity on the pious festival. Schools and colleges remain close and people participate in the festival with great zeal.
Some Images of Chhat Puja:::
I wish very prosperous Chhath Puja.
