Chhath Puja is a grand vow (maha-vrata) dedicated primarily to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi). A special feature of this puja is the beautifully arranged offerings — a variety of fruits and other sacred items placed in a dala (bamboo basket) or kuló (winnowing tray).
According to scriptures, there are certain fruits without
which the worship of the Goddess is considered incomplete. Behind offering
these specific fruits lies a deep sense of tradition and belief in purity. The
six essential fruits offered during Chhath Puja are:
1. Coconut:
Coconut is considered a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. It is one of the most
important offerings. Because of its hard shell, no animal or bird can eat it,
making it a symbol of purity.
2. Banana:
It is believed that Goddess Chhathi is very fond of bananas. Moreover, the
fruit is also known to be dearly loved by Lord Vishnu. During Chhath Puja,
instead of offering single bananas, devotees traditionally offer an entire
bunch.
3. Sugarcane:
Offering sugarcane during Chhath Puja is believed to bring happiness, peace,
and prosperity to the family. Its hard outer covering protects it from animals
and birds, making it another symbol of purity suitable for worship.
4. Pomelo (Batabi Lebu):
Devotees believe that offering pomelo during Chhath Puja brings well-being and
good fortune to the family.
5. Betel Nut (Supari):
Because of its hard shell, betel nut is considered pure and is often used in
rituals. Its toughness symbolizes sanctity, making it a sacred offering.
6. Water Chestnut (Paniphal):
The water chestnut has a hard outer shell and grows underwater, keeping it
protected from animals, birds, or insects. For this reason, it is regarded as
pure and an essential part of the Chhath Puja offerings.
The Core of Tradition and Belief — Purity:
A common feature among these fruits is their hard or
protective covering. The primary reason for using such fruits in Chhath Puja is
to preserve purity. Fruits that are difficult for animals or birds to consume
are considered the purest and most suitable for offering to the divine.
Devotees believe that offering these fruits with devotion pleases Goddess
Chhathi, ensuring happiness, peace, prosperity, and the well-being of one’s
children and family.
Today people include all kinds of fruits that are available in the market including apple, orange, musambi, pomegranate, pineapple, ber, etc