Chhat or Dala Chhath Vrat is an important and popular ritual observed by people of Bihar and Jharkhand in India and in the Terai Region of Nepal after Diwali. In 2013, the date of main Chhat puja is November 8 and November 9. Chhat Sandhya Argh (Chhat Dala Evening puja) is on November 8 and Chhath Suryodaya Argh (Chhath Dala Morning puja) is on November 9. Nahai Khai is on November 6 and Kharna is on November 7. Chhat is dedicated to Lord Surya and Lord Kartik. It is observed for four days in the month of Kartik (October – November). Chhat fasting, also known as Surya Sashti, is also observed in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and in some parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Bengal.
Chhat vrat is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun), Agni (fire) and Lord Kartikeya or Muruga. People undertake this Vrat for the well being of the family. It is believed that people get their wishes fulfilled, if they observe Chhat Puja. There is a popular belief that worshiping Surya will help in curing diseases like leprosy and also ensure longevity and prosperity of the family. The fast is mainly kept by women, in many places men also join in the ritual and observe fast.
During the Chhat puja devotees cook food with dry wood on new oven made of brick and soil and the cooked food is ‘Prasad’ or offerings to Sun God. Garlic and Onions are not used during Chhat period.
Nahai Khai first day of Chhat
The first day of Chhat is dedicated to cleaning, preparation and purification and is known as Nahai Khai. Thousands of devotees have an early morning bath in Ganga River
Kharna fasting second day of Chhat
Fast or Upvaas begins on the second day and this is referred as Kharna. The fast is broken after performing a puja at home in the evening. Kheer, sweets and fruits are offered to deities and then the whole family shares the Prasad. Another round of fasting begins after the prasad is shared. This fast is usually broken on the fourth day morning.
Chhat Sandhya Argh third day of Chhat
On the third day in the evening, Chhat Sandhya Argh is offered. Devotees offer ‘Argh’ to setting sun (Lord Surya) along with ‘soop’ at a pond, seashore or riverbank. ‘Argh’ and ‘soop’ are offerings and consists of flowers, fruits, sprouted grains, dry coconut, sugarcane, white radish, sweets and khajurees. The offering is made to Surya by standing in knee-deep water.
In the evening pujas are performed at home and a special puja is done for Agni – fire god. This puja is performed in a special area cordoned off by four sugarcane sticks.
Chhath Sooryodaya Argh fourth day of Chhat
On the fourth day morning, Chhath Sooryodaya Argh is performed. Devotees repeat the rituals performed on the third day evening for rising sun. What is left after offering to Lord Surya is shared as Prasad and the Chhat Puja comes to an end.
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16 comments:
Very very informative and useful post abhilash
Thanks
-Nirupam
nice site ....very informative
Nicely written very informative, I had listen to these many times but forgot this is very informative
Thanks to Hindublog.com
Awdhesh Kumar Jha
Thanks for providing this summarized information dear..
my would be husband is from bihar. so this information is very useful for me!
thankyou
nisha
nice to read.......
But I'm bit confused,why many people say that it's a puja of chhati maiya......
I agree that it's a puja of lord SUN.
Bt is there any connection of chatti maiya.......
please clarify.......
Good information. But last year I came across the scientific aspect of Chhath. all it was said to have come in a book but i couldnt find that book (The science of chhath - chhath mahavigyaan). This is very well explained in a website (this link)
http://www.freewebs.com/chhathpuja/scienceofchhath.htm
You can go through lots of details mentioned in this site but I am pasting some lines from this site.
The word Chhath is a compound of two words; Chah means 6 stages and Hath refers to the science of Hath Yog (austerity).
The word Chhath refers to the process of consciously obtaining the solar energy through 6 stages involving the methods similar to Hath Yog.
Hath here refers to the austerities like fasting, standing in water, etc.
According to another viewpoint, the word Chhath comes from number 6, which signifies its starting date (6th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar).
Stages of Chhath (Conscious Photoenergization Process)
The entire process of Chhath is divided into 6 scientific stages of Conscious Cosmic Solar Energy Infusion Technique (Conscious Photoenergization Process).
Stage 1: Fasting and the discipline of cleanliness leads to detoxification of the body and mind. This stage prepares the body and mind of the Vratti (devotee) to receive the cosmic solar energy.
Stage 2: Standing in a water body with half the body (navel deep) in the water minimizes the leak of energy and helps the prana (psychic energy) to move up the sushumna (psychic channel in the spine).
Stage 3: Cosmic Solar Energy enters the Vratti’s pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus glands (Triveni complex) through retina and optic nerves.
Stage 4: Activation of Triveni (tri-glandular complex) Pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus
Stage 5: A kind of Polarization of happens in the spine, which results in the Vratti’s gross and subtle bodies getting transformed into a cosmic powerhouse. This can also lead to the awakening of the latent psychic energy popularly known as the Kundalini Shakti.
Stage 6: The body of Vratti (devotee) becomes a channel, which conducts, recycles and transmits the energy into the entire universe.
Regarding Chaathi maiya, This puja is dedicated to Sun god, We also offer to the Devi Chatthi - Reference the Day Of Chathiyar- 6th dat after birth of a new born.
thanks for sharing information.
good website.
as Cleanliness is next to God,the very holy festival of Chhath is celebrated in Bihar 7 jharkhand with a great belief and one of the religious and historical story with Chhath is linked with DEV river in Aurangabad.
The information posted is very informative.
all I can say it is a good work but a lot more is required in this area.
thanks n keep updating with new visual as well
very good indded.very informative.and keep updating it
All the best,mujhko bhi chhath puja kiya tha bahut hi hindu ka bada paraw hai.2009 me jitne bhi chhath kiye hai unko mai hardik abhinandan karta hun.Dilip kumar from goh,Aurangabad.Bihar
HI NIRUPAM THIS THE BEST SITE SO NICE BUT UPDATE THE SOME BHAKTI SONGS OF EVERY TYPES ADDED LIKE MP3 BHAKTI....
AMRITESH KARAN
hardik dhanyavad is vishay ko samane rakhne hetu.
vastav me chhath puja ka tatparya surya se tithi vishesh me utsarjit shakti ka yatha shakya satmikaran karna hi hai.surya ki ye vishesh sthiti varsha me do baar hi hoti hai isliye chhath ka pravadhan bhi do baar hi kiya gaya hai.ek chaitra evam ek kartik me.inme ek uttarayan tatha ek dakshinayan me hota hai.
DR. APURVA PRIYADARSHI
GOH, AURANGABAD ,BIHAR
(PRESENTLY STUDYING IN M.D AT JAIPUR ,RAJASTHAN)
i would like to many thanks for hindublog goggle.com which has described all hindu festival specially chath brat on website. i am sure real hindu person never forget his hidu festival and hinduism.i would like to give my heartiest thanks for people also who is respecting hinduism and right way.
thanks and regads,
H.B.KUMAR
MANAMA KINDOM OF BAHRAIN
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