Mainly celebrated in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. The most significant Hindu festival of Chhath Puja is a four day long that falls on the Shashti tithi of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashwin month according to Hindu calendar. The festival is dedicated to the Lord Sun who is the ultimate source of life on earth and ensures long life, prosperity and well being of the devotees. It is the only festival where an offering is made to settling Sun along with the rising Sun.
During the festivity, Chhath Maiya also known as Rana Mai is worshipped along with lord Sun. Believed to be the respected wife of Lord Sun, she is also called as Usha and acknowledged as Brahma’s Manasputri and considered to be the one who blesses a child to the couple (with no offspring) who offers prayers with purity. People observe fasts without having food and drinking water, take dips in holy waters, offer prayers, and give Argha to seek the blessings of Lord Sun and goddess Usha.
The Four-day Celebrations
The First Day– The first day of the Chhath puja that falls after 4 days of Diwali celebrations is called as Nahay Khay. On this day, people take bath in the holy Ganga water and prepare food, mostly rice, daal, and Lauki.
The Second Day- Known as Kharna or Lohanda, devotees observe fast for the long day and offer Bhog made up of rice and sweetened milk (kheer) and fruits to Shashti Mata and lord sun after worshipping.
The Third Day– The third day of the festival is termed as Sandhya Argha or Pehla Argha. Devotees observe rigid fast without gulping a drop of water for the whole day and neither eat anything and take holy dips in sacred Ganga river or Kosi river. Devotional songs related to Chatthi Maiya are sung by women and offering of water is made to setting sun.
The Fourth Day- The last day Usha Argha marks the end of the Chatth Parva. On a significant day, people who observed fast break their fast by offering Usha Argha (during sunrise) to the sun after taking bath in the holy river. This day is known as Parayan. Devotees listen and sing to the legend of Chatthi Maiya having chana dal in the hand.
The God and Goddess worshipped together on the occasion of Chhath puja. Honour God Sun for food, health, and prosperity whereas Goddess Usha is offered prayer by the childless couple to bless them with parenthood. This makes this festival even more special. Offer prayer with purity, sincerity, and devotion to gain the holy blessings of the almighty God for happiness, the well-being of body and mind.