Chhath Mahaparva has started from today. In this great festival, there is a tradition of worshiping Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Women observe Chhath fast for the long life and happiness and prosperity of their children. This year Chhath Puja has started today, 25th October, Saturday, and it will end on 28th October, Tuesday. Every day has its own special significance. According to the scriptures, in the month of Kartik, the Sun is in its lowest sign, hence special worship of Sun God is done. Whereas Chhathi Maiya is considered the goddess who protects children, prosperity and family.
Bathing and eating is the ritual of the first day of Chhath festival, in which devotees follow this process to purify their body and mind.
Method of Nahay-Khay:
In the morning, the devotees take bath in Ganga, river, pond or any holy reservoir. After bathing, the devotee wears pure, simple and clean clothes. After bathing, the kitchen and the place of worship are cleaned. It is believed that Chhathi Maiya is a symbol of cleanliness and purity, hence there should not be any kind of impurity. On this day, fasting people eat food only once, which is called “Nahay-Khay ka Prasad”. Food is cooked in bronze or brass utensils and on an earthen stove. Mango wood or cow dung cakes are used in cooking because they are considered satvik and pure. The food usually consists of pumpkin vegetable, gram dal and plain rice. On the day of Nahay-Khay, the devotees take a pledge to observe Chhath fast and observe purity, restraint and devotion for the next three days.
Kharna fast
Kharna chhath puja It is the second day of. It is also called Lohanda or Kharna fast. On this day, the devotees observe fast without food and water for the whole day and in the evening make Prasad in a special way and offer it to Chhathi Maiya.
evening prayer
The third day of Chhath Puja is considered the most special and grand. It is called “Sandhya Arghya” or “Sandhya Ghat Puja”. On this day, devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun in the evening.
sunrise arghya
The fourth day of Chhath Puja is the last and most sacred day of this great festival. It is called “Usha Arghya”, “Dawn Arghya” or “Sunrise Arghya”. On this day, devotees end their 36-hour waterless fast by offering Arghya to the rising sun in the morning.
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