Chhath Puja 2016 Day 1(Nahai Khai) – Nov 4th
Chhath is one of the most awaited Hindu festivals that was celebrated from 4th November to 7th November. This ancient festival is celebrated in honour of the God of Energy, also known as Dala Chhath or Surya Shashti. In this ceremony people enthusiastically gather and celebrate the existence of sun and pray for the well being and success for their families. The ritual on this day starts with waking up early in the morning and taking a holy and purifying bath in the Ganga. People don’t eat any food or water and keep themselves standing in the water to offer Prasad to the rising sun.
UP, Jharkhand, Nepal ,and Bihar are some of the places where this festival is widely celebrated on the 6th day of the month of Kartika, as per the Vikram Samvat. This puja has a great significance in the history of Hindu religion as it is believed that the oldest Purohits were requested to come and perform the traditional puja of the Sun Lord by King Rama, who along with his queen Sita fasted and held the pooja after their return from exile. Women devotees celebrate this festival in their own manner by worshipping banana trees.The main characteristic of this is the riverside rituals and the scientific belief of people that the prayers will bestow living beings with the gift of a long and healthy life.
Chhath Puja Day 2 (Kharna) – Nov 5th
The second day of chhath puja is called ‘kharna’ in which the devotees observe a whole day long fast in which they don’t even consume water. They bathe in holy water and also take that water back to their homes where they prepare the Prasad with the same. People break their fasts after worshipping the sun in evening and offer ing Rasiao-kheer, puris, fruits in the puja. After taking a meal in the evening they again fast for next 36 hours.
