Chhath Pooja – A Grand Festival of Folk Faith

Author

2 years ago

Chhath Pooja, a major festival of folk faith, is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. However, due to people from these regions living in different parts of the country and the world for employment and business reasons, this festival has started being celebrated in various parts of the world. It is one of the most difficult fasts, requiring abstaining from food and water for nearly 36 hours. Chhath Pooja is observed on Kartik Shashthi according to the Hindu calendar.

While it is a common practice to pay homage to the rising sun, this great Indian tradition also involves paying respects to the setting sun. This festival also showcases the expression of love and reverence towards nature in human life. During Chhath Pooja, some songs sung in the Bhojpuri language are extremely popular and touching-

Kanch hi baans ke bahangiya,
Bahangi lachkat jaaye,
Bahangi lachkat jaaye,
Hoi na balam ji kahariyaan,
Bahangi ghate pahunchaaye.

In addition to this song, this song is sung while waiting for the sunrise to offer Argha to the Sun God in the morning-

Ugah he suruj dev bhel bhinsarwa,
Argh ke re berwa ho poojan ke re berwa ho,
Badki pukare dev dunu kar jorwa,
Argh ke re berwa ho poojan ke re berwa ho.

After Diwali, this festival of four days of Sun worship immediately follows, where people offer arghya to the setting and rising sun along the banks of rivers, ponds, and the sea. During Chhath, the ghats are thoroughly cleaned and decorated. Along with worshipping Lord Surya, people also worship Chhathi Maiya, the sister of Sun God. Being a resident of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, I feel a strong connection to this festival.

Even if people might not visit their homes during other festivals, they make it a point to do so during Chhath Pooja. During this festival, people consume various fruits and a special dish called Thekua, made from flour, sugar, and nuts. This is a delicacy enjoyed by many, and for the people of Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, Thekua is not just a dish but also a sentiment.

The method of observing the four-day Chhath Pooja is as follow-

✔ First Day – Nahay Khay
The first day of Chhath Pooja is known as Nahay Khay. After thoroughly cleaning the house and kitchen, the devotee, known as a vrati, takes a ritual bath. Then, they eat rice, lentils, and pumpkin or bottle gourd curry. Typically, this meal is cooked on a mud stove using mango wood. This day primarily focuses on purifying one’s body and mind. The devotee is supposed to eat only once during this day. After the devotee has eaten, other members of the household partake in the meal.

✔ Second Day – Kharna

Kharna is the second day of Chhath Pooja. On this day, the devotee observes a complete fast throughout the day, abstaining from both food and water. After the sunset, rice pudding (kheer) made from rice and jaggery is prepared on a mud stove using mango wood. The devotee offers this kheer to the Sun god and consumes it in solitude. According to the rules of this festival, making noise while consuming the kheer is prohibited. After the devotee has consumed the kheer, other members of the household also partake in this pudding as prasad. Following the consumption of this prasad, the devotee begins a nearly 36-hour long nirjala (without water) fast.

✔ Third Day – Sandhya Arghya

The third day of Chhath Pooja is known as Sandhya Arghya or Evening Pooja. Throughout the day, various fruits are thoroughly washed and arranged in baskets or winnowing baskets, known as ‘daura’ or ‘daliya’ in Bhojpuri. The male members of the household carry these baskets on their heads and accompany the women to the banks of rivers or ponds. The devotee stands in the water of the river or pond during sunset and worships the Sun god.

During sunset, offerings including fruits, thekua (a special sweet), and other puja items are presented to the Sun god in bamboo or brass soop. The male members and children pour milk into the bowls, while the women take turns standing in the water of the river and worshiping the Sun god. At night, a special pooja is performed in households where weddings have recently taken place or a child has been born. This ritual is known as ‘Kosi Bharana’.

✔ Fourth Day – Pratah Argha
Pratah Argha or Morning Pooja marks the fourth and final day of Chhath Pooja. On this day, devotees gather at the ghats of rivers or ponds before sunrise. They stand in the water of the river or pond, awaiting the sunrise, and worship the Sun god as it rises. After sunrise, offerings are made to Lord Surya, and the final argha (offering) is performed. Following this argha, the approximately 36-hour long nirjala (without water) fast comes to an end. Devotees consume some sweets and water to complete their fast.

Chhath Puja and Childhood Memories

Many memories of childhood are associated with Chhath Pooja. Three to four days before Chhath Pooja, wheat would be spread out on the roof of the house to dry for making thekua. It was our responsibility as children to ensure that no birds ate the wheat. Two days before Chhath, we would come to the temple ghat and make idols of Chhath Mata with mud and bricks. To buy fruits for offering argha, we had to go to the market several times. Some fruits like gaagal lemon, pineapple, etc., which were scarce in North India, were only available for consumption during Chhath Pooja.

To bring sugarcane for the puja, we would visit friends living in the village. We enjoyed eating thekua as prasad of Chhath Puja. It took 3-4 days to distribute the prasad of Chhath Pooja to friends and relatives. We saved many firecrackers from Diwali for Chhath Pooja. The decorations and lights put up during Diwali were taken down only after Chhath Pooja. We had to wake up at 2 in the morning to bathe and then go to the ghat. In this way, many memories of Chhath Pooja come to mind.

In this way, we may perhaps understand the significance of Chhath Puja. It is a grand festival of folk faith that demonstrates human reverence for nature. Chhath Pooja is not only a part of our Hindu religion but also a remarkable manifestation of culture. Jai Surya Dev. Jai Chhathi Mata.

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Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public.

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