The Essence and Significance of Chhath Puja

THE ESSENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHHATH PUJA

CHHATH PUJA, SHASHTHI PUJA or simply CHHATH is one of the most remarkable and unprecedented festival celebrated with atmost ecstasy and zeal. What makes it really special is the fact that 'No idol or statue is worshipped during the rituals rather it involves thanksgiving and paying tribute to our fundamental physical SUN GOD and his wife GODDESS USHA'.

Not only spiritually and religiously CHHATH PUJA has great scientific significance too. It is believed that there is a special Astronomic condition on the sixth day after diwali(Kartik Amavasya) due to which maximum ultraviolet rays reach to the earth from the SUN and the effective celebration of the Festival helps in protecting all kinds of life on the earth as much as possible.

Also the processes and rituals of CHHATH PUJA  are designed to benefit the VRATEES (DEVOTEES) in all walks of life whether physical, mental, psychological or spiritual. Chhath rituals help devotees in optimum absorption of Vitamin D and Calcium into their body. Mental benefits include calming the mind to reduction of negative feelings and emotions.

To dive into the history of CHHATH PUJA we need to travel to the Ramayan Age and Mahabharat times Lord Ram and Goddess Sita observed fast on the sixth day(Kartik Shashthi) after their return to Ayodhya and worshipped SUN GOD and CHHATHI MAI (SHASHTHI MATA). After the Pandavas were put to exile, Lord Krishna advised them and Draupadi to fast and follow all rituals of CHHATH PUJA to turn back their fortunes and the rest as they say is history under the guidance of Lord Krishna they won the greatest war their can ever be and got back their kingdom as well as their pride.

According to Mythology King Priyavd didn’t have any child for a long time but after he had his first son, joy quickly turned to despair as the infant died unable to bear the trauma the king tried to sacrifice his life in the cremation ground but that very moment Lord Brahma’s daughter DEVSENA appeared and asked him ‘To worship her and encourage others too to worship her in order to be blessed by young ones’ he did so and succeeded and everone else too followed.

Even during the vedic period the rituals of CHHATH PUJA were followed by Rishis of that period to live without external intake of food by obtaining energy from sunlight.

The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are traditionally observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water( Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

The third day is the main festival day (exactly 6th day from Diwali) of CHHATH PUJA. The devotees maintain 'nirjal vrat(Vrata) on the third day. It mainly consist of going on river bank and offering 'argha' (offering of fruits and sweets in winnow ) and surya namaskar to the setting sun followed by the next day (exactly 7th day from Diwali) event of offering argha and surya namaskar to the rising sun on the fourth or last day of chhath. The fast then comes to an end after offering argha to rising sun.

The prasad offerings include sweets,Kheer,Thekua, rice laddu(made of rice grit) and fruits (mainly sugarcane, sweet lime and banana) offered in small bamboo. The food is strictly vegetarian and is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis is put on maintaining the purity of the food.

The main worshipers, called Parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, and for the prosperity of their offsprings. The starting of the CHHATH PUJA is known as "chhath uthana" and stopping is known as "chhath baithana". Once a family member starts performing Chhath Puja, it is their compulsory duty to perform it every year and to pass it on to the following generations. 

Although the fast is observed by only a few members each and every family member rejoices and has an extraordinary time celebrating CHHATH PUJA.

Thus CHHATH PUJA has rich history as well as sound Chemistry.

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