Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival that falls on the Shashti of Karthik Shukla paksha. The celebration of this unique folk festival of Sun worship happens in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Terai regions of Nepal.
It is the only festival in Bihar or the world of India that has been going on since the Vedic period and has become Bihar's culture. On the Chhath puja, the devotees worship Lord Surya, Prakriti, Jal, Vayu, and their sister Chhathi Maiya to thank them for restoring the deities of life on earth.
Chhathi Maiya is also known as Rube Mai or, in Mithila, Sabita Mai. On this special occasion, the women wear pure cotton dhoti without stitching to represent the pure traditional culture of Mithila.
Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival
Chhath festival is one of India's most difficult festivals
During Chhath puja, females fast for 36 hours to seek blessings
In the Mahabharata period, the Pandavas lost their entire Kingdom in gambling, then Draupadi observed the Chhath fast. Pleased with Draupadi's fast, Shashti Devi gave Pandavas their Kingdom back. Similarly, by fasting on Chhath, prosperity, happiness, and prosperity remain in people's homes.
On the other hand, according to the mythological folk story, Surya Putra Karna first worshipped the sun god during the Mahabharata period. It is said that Daanveer Karna used to offer Arghya to the Sun by staring in the water for hours. Karna became a great warrior by the grace of the Sun God. This method of offering arghya is prevalent in Chhath.
Another story regarding Chhath Puja is that after returning from Lanka, Lord Ram and Sita also worshipped Lord Surya by fasting on Shashti. It was only after this that Lord Rama took over the Kingdom. The people have faith that by the grace of Chhathi Maiya, there was no shortage of anything in his Kingdom.
Chhath festival is one of India's most difficult festivals, lasting for 4 days. During this festival, the women keep around 36 hours fast. Men also observe this fast, along with women. It is necessary to obey all the rituals of Chhath puja to complete the fast. They are-
First day :-On the First day, Vrati takes a bath in the river; after that, they eat only a one-time meal.
The second day :-On the second day, preparing Prashad. The third day of the fast starts immediately after the Prasad of the second day.
Third Day :- The third day is very significant in this puja. On this occasion, there is a tradition of offering Arghya to Lord Surya in the evening, and 'the soup of Arghya' is decorated with fruits, rice, sweets, etc., in a bamboo basket. Then, the devotees and their families offered Arghya to the sun god and the settings and worshipped on the day.
The Fourth Day :- Arghya gives to the rising lord Sun on the last day. Arghya offers after a fast of approximately 36 hours. These days it is necessary to help needy and poor people.
On the day of Chhath, women apply vermilion to their noses for the long life of their husbands. It is said that the longer this Sindoor is, the longer the husband's life will be. It believes that vermilion is promising for the husband. Also, long vermilion is a sign of happiness and prosperity in the family.
Especially the orange colour vermilion brings long life to the husband and also brings success to his business. Also, orange colour vermilion helps to achieve success in every way. Marital life also remains good.
According to religious texts, the orange colour is also an auspicious colour for Hanuman Ji. Just because of this reason, they put Orange sindoor.
During Chhath puja, females fast for 36 hours to seek blessings. Chhath is Comprehended as Nahay Khay- in which people take a bath in any water, females keep nirjala vrat, and bhog prepare to offer for Surya god.
Women keep a strict nirjala fast these days. Along with this, the fourth day is known as Usha Argha; women stand in water, offer Arghya to the rising Sun, and then break their 36-hour fast.
India is a diverse country where all the people who belong to different religions live together and share their sorrow and happiness. Chhath Puja is the most important and challenging festival. On this festival, the women keep fasting, singing, and chanting all these 4 days for the welfare of their house.
The exciting thing about this festival is that on these days the women wear cotton saree and apply Orange sindoor. In this festival, the people worship Lord Surya and Chhathi Mata.