**Chhath Puja** is an ancient Hindu festival primarily celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and his consort, Usha (the goddess of dawn). The festival typically spans four days and is observed to seek blessings for well-being, prosperity, and the health of family members.
1. **Day 1: ** *Nahay Khay* (Bath and Meal):
- The first day is about purification. Devotees take a ritual bath in a river or any water body, after which they prepare and consume a simple vegetarian meal. It marks the beginning of the fast.
2. **Day 2: ** *Kharna* (Fast and Offerings):
- On the second day, devotees fast without water. In the evening, they prepare *kheer* (a sweet rice pudding) and *roti* (flatbread) as offerings to the Sun God. After the offerings, devotees break their fast after sunset.
3. **Day 3: ** *Suryodaya Arghya* (Offering to the Sun at Sunrise):
- On the third day, devotees rise early in the morning and gather at riverbanks or any clean water source. They offer prayers and *arghya* (water and fruits) to the rising Sun. It is a key moment of the festival where families pray for health, wealth, and success.
4. **Day 4: ** *Suryast Arghya* (Offering to the Sun at Sunset):
- The final day involves devotees offering *arghya* to the setting Sun in the evening. This is the concluding ritual of Chhath Puja. After the rituals, devotees break their fast and celebrate the completion of the festival.
### Rituals:
- Devotees observe strict cleanliness, fasting, and abstinence during the festival. The offerings include fruits, sugarcane, sweets, and *thekua* (a traditional sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee).
- The worship takes place in open spaces, often near rivers or ponds, where the Sun can be clearly seen.
Chhath Puja is a festival that emphasizes devotion, gratitude, and the importance of nature, especially the Sun, in sustaining life. It is one of the most significant festivals in Eastern India, marked by communal harmony, and involves a sense of unity and purity.
~video editing by me
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