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Chhath Puja, Chhat Pooja or Chhath Parva is one of the famous festivals in North Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to the Sun God or Chhath Maiya. People also call it as Dala Chhath or Surya Shasthi.
This festival is observed to thank the Mother Nature & Sun God for their protection. Devotees seek Surya Devta’s blessings for good health and happiness. In Bhojpuri language Chhath means sixth day of Kartik month in Hindu calendar. This year, the festival will be observed from Thu, 31 Oct 2019 – Sun, 3 Nov, 2019.
Chhath Puja 2019- Significance
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The festival is observed for four days. Rituals are different on every day of the celebration. It is celebrated for four days that involves prasad making, cleaning the homes & premises, shopping, and a great time spent with family members and friends.
First Day- Naha Khaaye- On the first day which is called “Naha Khaye”, devotees, especially Chhath vrati ladies take a bath in the Holy Ganges or a nearby river early in the morning. They also bring the holy water to prepare the prasad. They clean the house properly. Vrati take a meal including bottle gourd vegetable, chapatis, lentils and rice.
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Second Day- Kharna- The second day of Chhath pooja is called “Kharna”. This day, Chhath vrati women observe a day long fast. Special meal including kheer is prepared that is later distributed among all the family members and friends. The vratis also take this prasad after the pooja and break their day-long fast. They again prepare for the next day’s fast.
Third day- Sandhya Ardhya or Sanjhiya Ghat- The third day is called sandhya ardhya that means offerings to the setting sun. Devotees and their family members visit the nearby rive bank and worship the Chhati Maiya. Everyone wears new clothes, ghats are decorated and the whole surroundings become lively. After the sunset, they come back.
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Fourth Day- Morning Ardhya- Bhor or Subah Ghat-The fourth day or the Saptami in Kartik maas is reserved for morning ardhya or offerings to the rising sun. Devotees who fast, break their two-day long fast. They consume prasad followed by a delicious meal later. Hence, the four-day long puja concludes.
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Chhath Puja 2019: Prasad & Offering Preparation
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Prasad that is prepared during this festival holds greater significance. It includes thekua (special sweet cookies), kheer, sweet lime, sugarcane, banana, coconut, white peas, sami chawal, oranges, apples and more. The special food is prepared separately on a soil-made stove called chulha. Everything is vegetarian and is devoid of salt, garlic and onion.
Chhath Pooja 2019- Legends & Historical Facts
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According to a famous legend, people believe that Draupadi was sad seeing the sufferings of the Pandavas. Sage Dhaumya advised her to perform Chhath Puja. She and Pandavas performed the pooja of Sun God. As a result, all their problems were gone and they reclaimed their lost kingdom.
In an another fable, it is said that when Lord Ram and Sita were heading back to Ayodhya completing their 14 years of exile, Sita performed Chhath Puja in Kartik month’s Shukla Paksha. She worshiped Sun God. Since then people started observing Chhath Puja.
When is Chhath Puja 2019 Muhurat?
Take a look at below mentioned chhath puja muhurt and this:
Shashthi Tithi will Begin - 00:51 (2 November 2019)
Shashthi Tithi will End - 01:31 (3 November 2019)
Timings-
Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day - 06:33 am
Sunset on Chhath Puja Day - 17:35 pm
My Pooja Box wishes you all a Happy Chhauth Puja!
1 comment
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