Chatth puja as the name signifies is a puja performed on the 6th day after Diwali as gratitude to Lord Surya and his wife Chatthi Maiya as she is fondly known. Sun is worshipped in a lot of cultures and civilizations but this puja is the only one where the setting sun is worshipped along with the rising sun.

A week full of devotion and spirituality in the Hindu month of Kartik, Chatth puja is performed primarily in the states of Jharkhand, Eastern UP, and Bihar. This year the vibrant festival will commence in November representing the faith and gratefulness of devotees towards nature and its forces.

History and Importance Chhath Puja

The Chatth puja finds its significance way back to the Ramayana and Mahabharata days. Being one of the oldest festivals in India it is believed to be performed even back then. The practice of praying to the sun god reflects the harmony between nature and humans since the beginning of time.

Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are believed to have performed this puja upon their return from the 14-year exile. They worshipped the sun god together and Goddess Sita observed a fast to seek blessings.

Similarly, Draupadi the wife of the five Pandavas performed this puja during days that led to the great war of Mahabharata. She sought the blessings of Lord Surya Dev to help her husbands regain their kingdom and overcome the hardships they were facing. It is believed that her prayers played a part in their win and hence, the puja is believed to help people overcome hardships and obstacles and bring prosperity to people’s lives.

Chatthi Maiya or Usha the goddess of dawn is worshipped during this puja to bless people’s families and their children. The offering of ‘argha’ or water to the rising and setting sun is a vital part of the puja and it symbolizes the acceptance of the importance of nature and its sustaining forces.

Chatth puja is significant for physical and mental wellness along with harmony with nature. The 36-hour-long fast without water is a way to detoxify the body and the fact that the puja is performed around water bodies like rivers, lakes, and ponds during sunrise and sunsets focuses on the importance of the therapeutic benefits of sunlight and the cleansing of not just one’s body but the surroundings as well.

The very core of the Chatth puja is to express gratitude towards the sun for sustaining life on Earth and being the ultimate source of all energy. Thanking the sun for being vital for crops, health, and overall well-being. It is a way to bond with family and community as everyone comes together to celebrate the festival and pray for good fortune and good health.

Chhath Puja Date 2024

Chhath Puja Samagri

If you want to be a part of the vibrant celebration of this festival, you will need a list of things to be able to perform the rituals as per tradition. The list includes the following things.:

• Pear
• Turmeric
• Areca nut (supari)
• Ginger plant
• Red vermilion powder
• Agarbatti or incense sticks
• Milk
• Water
• Jaggery
• Water jug
• Plate
• 2 Bamboo baskets
• New clothes
• Coconut filled with liquid
• Bamboo or sugarcane sticks
• Sandalwood
• Rice
• Ghee Diya
• Sindoor

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Things To Do During the Chatth Puja

• Cleaning Your Homes: Tidying up your homes before the puja is a must to maintain the purity and sanctity of the ceremony. A clean environment is believed to attract positivity and enhance the spiritual connection.
• Prasad Making: This is an integral part of any puja. The offerings for Chatth Puja include fruits, kheer, and other satvik foods. As it is considered sacred, make sure the prasad is prepared in a positive environment with good intentions.
• Shopping List: Prepare your shopping list in advance to avoid last-minute rush and missing items. From clay pots to earthenware, get every puja essential at our store and have it delivered to your doorstep worry-free.
• Washing and Drying of Wheat: Wheat is a very important aspect of the Chatth puja, the ritual of washing and drying wheat symbolizes purity and cleanliness as an offering to the deities.
• Sandhya and Usha Argha: When you perform the argh ceremony at the banks of a water body, remember to dress appropriately. Maintain silence to be able to focus on the ritual and make it a community or family ceremony, as you bond with one another. Coming together symbolizes deeper connections and amplifies the spiritual energy of the place.

Important Don’ts for the Chatth Puja

Wash Your Hands: Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before touching any of the pooja items. As part of the puja process to maintain purity and cleanliness, it is important to wash your hands before touching anything.

Do Not Eat Salty Items: You should avoid eating salty items and spicy items during and while breaking the fast. It is important to consume only Sativik food during this period.

Do not eat non-vegetarian food: The chatth puja is a simple and devoted festival and to stick to its principles you must avoid eating non-vegetarian food which is considered impure and is strictly forbidden.

Wear Clean Clothes: To follow the purity of body and mind, it is important to wear clean clothes. Fresh attire symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts which is essential for a spiritual upliftment.

The Four-Day Rituals of Chatth Puja

• Day 1: The first day known as the ‘Nahaye Khaaye’ begins with the devotees taking a bath in holy water and consuming only one meal a day which is free of onion, garlic, and spices.
• Day 2: The second day is known as the ‘Kharna’, on this day the devotees fast without water which begins at sunrise and concludes at sunset with offerings to the sun god and Goddess Usha. They break their fast with these offerings which are usually kheer, bananas, or other fruits. Day 2 marks the beginning of the 36-hour fast without water.
• Day 3: On the third day of the month, the devotees fast without water again and at the time of sunset offer ‘argha’ or water to the sun god while standing in the river or any other water body.
• Day 4: is when Chatth puja is performed. Since she is the goddess of dawn, the ‘argha’ or water is offered at sunrise and concludes with offerings to the sun god. This day marks the end of the Chatth puja.

Traditional Chhath Puja Foods and Festive Recipes

Chatth puja is all about satvik living and therefore the food is satvik too. Which means simple, pure, and virtuous food made with devotion. Here are some recipes you can make at home during the puja:

• Chawal Ki Kheer: This creamy dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar is a must-have for Chatth puja. It is garnished with dry fruits and flavoured with Cardamom. Kheer is usually prepared on the second day called ‘Kharna’.
• Laal Saag: Prepared with red Amarnath leaves, this is a nutritious vegetable dish. Sautéed in minimum flavours, this one aligns with the simplicity of the celebration.
• Thekua: A crispy fried snack that is sweet because of the jaggery in it, is made with wheat flour and ghee as the other ingredients. Thekua is usually prepared in large quantities and distributed during ‘Sandhya’ and ‘Usha Argha’.
• Khonda: A sweet pumpkin curry made with minimum spices and flavouring is often the main dish during the Chatth puja. Other dishes along with it are prepared to complement the whole spread.

Check out more Chatth puja recipes on our website and enjoy a scrumptious meal. Visit here

FAQs

1. How long does Chhath Puja last?

   Chatth Puja is a 4-day celebration. It starts on the Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and ends on Sptami. It is usually celebrated twice a year during the Chaitra and Kartik months. The Kartik Chatt puja is the more popular one.

2. What are the rules for Chhath Puja?

   During Chhath Puja, devotees observe a rigorous 36-hour fast known as Nirjala Vrat, which is kept by both men and women. On the Chaturthi Tithi of the Kartika month, Arghya is offered to the Sun, followed by Kharna on the next day. The fast continues through the sunset of the third day and concludes with prayers to the rising sun on the fourth day.

3. What is the Prasad of Chhath Puja?

   Kheer is regarded as the most auspicious bhog prasad offered to Lord Surya and Chhath Maiya during Chhath Puja. It is prepared using milk, sugar, and dry fruits, symbolizing purity and devotion.

4. What is the fasting Time for Chhath Puja?

   A day-long nirjala fast, without food or water, is observed from sunrise to sunset, and it is broken with the prasad of rasiya. This serves as the last meal before the start of the 36-hour rigorous fasting period.

5. Which God is Chhath Puja Dedicated to?

   Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God or Surya Dev and his wife goddess Usha or Chatti Maiya.

6. Can I drink Water in Chhath Puja?

   Devotees usually follow a strict fast and go without water from sunset to sunrise for 3 consecutive days.

7. What is eaten in Chhath?

   Chatth Puja is all about satvik food, which usually includes Kheer, Puri, Chana dal, Thekua, Khonda etc.