Chhath Puja is a very famous festival celebrated in the northern regions of India including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The festival of Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is also celebrated other states including Chandigarh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Nepal, Mumbai, Delhi etc. People celebrate this occasion to receive blessings of Lord Surya who is believed to sustain life on this earth. It is believed that celebrating this auspicious day by following all rituals brings happiness and prosperity in the life of the devotees. A celebration of four days is observed by the people and holy customs including fasting and bathing in holy water are followed by them. People used to stand in water for long periods and offer Prasad and prayer to Lord Sun at the time of Sunset and Sunrise.
Sunlight is believed to provide several beneficial effects to the body of human beings. The energy requirements of the body could be met with the solar energy that is received from sunlight and it also helps in the detoxification of body and mind. Chhath Puja is believed to provide the devotees with strong control over their emotions that helps them to lead a stable and peaceful life.
It is also believed that those who follow all the rituals while performing the Chhath Puja are able to receive several benefits. The inner strength and power of an individual is enhanced if he sincerely follows the rituals and practices of Chhath Puja. The immunity of an individual is also improved by performing Chhath Puja and thus, it helps in the normal maintenance of health. Benefits related to skin and protection from fungal infections is also provided to the person from the energy that is obtained from the rays of Sun.
History associated with Chhath Puja
As per Hindu religion,Chhath Puja has very high significance. It is believed that in the ancient time,kings requested to the senior most Purohits to come and observe the Chhath Puja which is dedicated to Lord Sun. During this puja, they chant variety of hymns and Rigveda texts. Some people used to believe that the ritual of Chhath Puja has been started by Karna, son of Lord Surya.Draupadi, from the epic Mahabharata, is also believed to perform the rituals of Chhath Puja along with the pandavas. Chhath Puja is able to provide several benefits including mental and physical well being of an individual. The solar energy obtained from Sun, while performing the rituals ofChhath Puja, is able to combine with the blood streams in the body and this helps in the improvement of their performance that enhances the health of a person and provides huge benefits to him.
Important materials required for Chhath Puja?
- Idol or calendar of Lord Surya and his companion Usha.
- Kumkum/Roli
- Akshat
- Dahi (curd)
- Turmeric powder
- Cow milk
- Daliya (basket)
- Kalash (pot)
- Dry fruits
- Wheat for prasadam
- Raw sugar or jiggery
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Sugar candy
- Coconut
- Dhoop
- Agarbatti
- Havvansamagri
- Ganga jal
- Amla
- Camphor (kapoor)
- Red and yellow cloth
- Clove
- Honey
- Beetle nuts
- Beetle leaves, etc.
The Chhath Puja Process
The Chhath Puja is not a single day festival. The first day begin with bath that marks the starting of Chhath Puja.
On the second day of this festival, devotees keep long fast till the evening puja. Devotees and the persons who observe fast do not eat food and drink water till the evening worship of ChhathiMaiya. Different kind of Satvikbhojan is prepared and offered to ChhathiMaiya and the devotees also takes it as a Prasad to break their fast.
On the third day of festival preparations are made for prashad, pujansamgari and offerings for Arghya in evening to Lord Sun.
The final procedure is to offer Arghya to Surya Dev at the time of Suryaodhaya (sunrise). On the last day devotees worship rising sun and break their long fast of 36 hours and also distribute Prasad among the family members, relatives and friends. Huge number of people used to gather at the banks of holy river Ganges and take bath for the purification of their body and soul.
In some parts of the world, people used to perform these rituals near a water body, such as a small pond and offer prayer and Prasad to Lord Surya. People consider the water body as an ideal location for performing the rituals and follow all the process of performing Chhath Puja near these water bodies.
The Different Mantras are Chant during the 4 day festival of Chhath Puja
- The Mantra to recite while making Dugdh Snaan of Sun God
- Kaam Dhunu Samod Bhootam Sarveshaam Jeevan Param | Paavanam Yagya Hetushcha Payah Snaanaarth Samarpitam ||
- This is the Mantra to chant during Surya Pujan
- Om Sahastra Sheershah Purushah Sahastrakshah Sahastra Paaksh |
SA Bhumi Gvam Sabyet Staputva Ayatishth Darshaam Gulam || - Mantra to recite while offering Arghaya to Surya Dev
- Om Surya Devam Namaste Stu Grihaanam Karoona Karam |
Arghyam Ch Falam Sanyukta Gandh Maalyaakshatai Yutam || - Mantra for Ghrit Sannan of Lord Sun
- Navneet Samut Pannam Sarv Santosh Kaarkam |
Ghrit Tubhyam Prada Syaami Snaanaarth Prati Grih Yantaam || - Chant this mantra while offering clothes to Lord SUN
- Sheet Vaatoshna Santraanam Lajjaayaa Rakshanam Param |
Dehaa Lankaaranam Vastra Matah Shanty Prayachchha Men ||
