By Dr AK Srivastava
All that exists was born from the sun
There is nothing apart from it.
Of what is and has been and is to be and
What moves and remains still….
The sun alone is the source and the end…
Happy Chhath Puja!
Chhath Puja is one of the most popular and significant religious festivals of north India celebrated in UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Gujarat. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated with full enthusiasm and devotion on the sixth day of Kartik month. It also falls on the sixth day after Deepavali. This famous festival is known by various names like Surya Puja, Chhath, Dala Chhat and Chhat Puja. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God because it is the source of light and energy for our planet earth. It is believed that the Sun God provides us with energy to grow all vegetation on earth. Life would not have been possible if we didn’t get the sunlight on earth. In other words, we human beings seek the blessings of the sun to sustain and enjoy our existence. This festival is also dedicated to worshipping Chhati Mata (Shashthi Mata), Usha (Goddess of Dawn) and Pratyusha (Goddess of Dusk).
The Sun or solar deity has been worshipped since prehistoric times and it is believed that the Sun God protects us from many diseases and it offers us many healing powers. It is a bathing festival and continues for four days. It is related to strengthening our mind and physical powers with the blessings of the Sun God and the infusion of cosmic solar energy. Many scientific studies prove that solar bio-electricity starts moving into our body when it is exposed to solar radiation of a specific length.
There are many religious stories and legends associated with this festival. According to a very famous story, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita performed an elaborate puja to their family deity Sun on their return to Ayodhya after the killing of Ravan. We all know that Lord Ram was “Suryavanshi”.
It is also believed that Draupadi performed this puja on the advice of Rishi Dhaumya with the prayer to regain her lost kingdom. Hence, this important festival is associated with both the Ramayana and the Mahabharat.
This festival is also associated with the harvest of Kharif and farmers pray for their prosperity and family welfare seeking the blessings of the Sun God. This festival is gender neutral and both men and women perform fast and offer ‘Prasad’ to the Sun God and other deities.
Detoxification of body and purity of mind and soul are the chief aims of this festival. Prayers from dawn to dusk, fasting, offerings to Sun God and taking baths in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, etc., are essential steps or part of the festival. The presence of all members of the family is considered to be auspicious when they offer “Arghya” to Sun God on the bank of a holy river. Religious and devotional songs, colourful dresses, sugar cane, fruits and rice pudding (kheer) are essential parts of evening prayers.
The usual schedule for four days of festivities is as follows:
- Day One: The devotees take bath in a holy river and eat only one full meal in a day. The meal is without ginger, garlic and onion. The day is known as “Nahaya Khaya”.
- The second day is to keep a fast from dawn to dusk. In the early morning the devotees offer fruits, kheer and flowers along with other items to the Sun God and Usha Goddess.
- The third day is for a complete fast (without water) from early morning to late evening. Devotees offer “Arghya” to Sun God while standing in a holy river.
- The fourth day is Chhath Puja day. Both men and women reach the river site and offer all Prasad and prayers to the rising Sun. They wish long life, happiness, and prosperity for their family, relatives and friends.
In conclusion, we can say that Chhath Puja is a significant festival for Hindus and a large number of people in India celebrate this festival. It is also very popular among political leaders and parties as they perform it with full passion and enthusiasm to impress their voters. Even in foreign countries NRIs like to celebrate it as it is linked to their family traditions and ethnicity.
May this Chhath Puja brings
Blessings and happiness in your way
May all your dreams come true
And all evils shed away.
!!Happy Chhath Puja 2024!!
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun)
