Auspicious yoga is being done on Chhath festival

An ancient Hindu festival, dedicated to the god Surya and Chhath Maiya (known as Surya’s sister). Chhath Puja is very famous in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. It is the only Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God, which is believed to be the source of all powers and the sixth maiya (another name for the goddess Usha from the Vedic period). The deity of light, energy and vitality is worshiped to promote the well-being, development and prosperity of human beings. Through this festival, people worship the Sun God for a period of four days. Devotees who keep fast during this festival are called Vrati. According to Jyotishacharya, 2020 Chhath Puja is beginning with Ravi Yoga and will be in Nahay-Khay Ravi Yoga. Apart from this, Sun will be given in Arghya Dwipushkar Yoga. 

When is Chhath Puja in 2020? 

Traditionally, this festival is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashthi according to the Hindu calendar. It falls during October or November according to the Gregorian calendar. Also it is celebrated on the 6th day after Diwali. The best date in the year 2020 is on 20 November 2020 Friday. On the other hand, Chhath Puja (chhat puja) will start on Chaturthi date i.e. Nahai Khay on 18 November (sunrise 6: 46 minutes and sunset 5: 26 minutes) and 19 November (sunrise 6: 47 minutes and sunset 5: 26 minutes) ie Lohanda and Kharna will be done on Panchami Tithi. After this, Chhath Puja will be performed on the sixth i.e. 20 November (sunrise 6: 48 minutes and sunset 5: 26 minutes) and will be celebrated on 21 November (sunrise 6: 49 minutes and sunset 5: 25 minutes). 

Why celebrate Chhath Puja?

There are many mythological stories related to Chhath Puja. It is believed that in ancient times, the Pandavas of Draupadi and Hastinapur celebrated Chhath Puja to solve their problems and regain their lost kingdom. At the same time, according to the second mythology, this worship was first started by Suryaputra Karna, who ruled Ang Desha (Bhagalpur in Bihar) during the Mahabharata period. Legend says that in ancient times, sages and sages used this method to get energy directly from the sun’s rays without eating food.

Chhath Puja ritual 

The Chhath festival includes many rituals, which are much stricter than other Hindu festivals. These usually include taking a dip in rivers or water bodies, strict fasting (cannot even drink water in the whole process of fasting), standing and praying in water in front of the sun for a long time, and sunrise at sunrise and after sunset. Offerings are included.

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1. Nahi-Khay

On the first day of worship, devotees have to take a dip in the holy river and cook a meal appropriate for themselves. On this day, pumpkin, chana dal and puri are cooked using clay or brass utensils and mango wood on top of the clay stove. Women who observe the fast take food only once on this day. 

2. Kheer

On the second day, devotees have to keep a full day’s fast, which they can break sometime after sunset. On this day, Vrati makes jaggery kheer and thekua made of rice in the evening and they break their fast with this Prasad, after which they have to fast for 36 hours without water.

3. Argh to the setting sun

On the third day the whole family of the Vratis accompany them to the river bank, preparing the offerings at home and then in the evening, where they make offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Women usually wear turmeric yellow sarees while making their offerings. The evening is made even better with upbeat folk songs.

 

4. Argh to the rising sun

On the last day here, all the devotees make offerings and go to the river bank before sunrise. The festival ends when the Vratis complete their 36-hour fast and duly distribute the Prasad among all relatives by offering prayers to the rising Suryadev. 

Scientific importance of Chhath Puja

Apart from religious significance, there are many scientific facts associated with these rituals. Devotees usually pray on the riverbank during sunrise or sunset and this is scientifically supported by the fact that, solar energy is the lowest level of ultraviolet radiation during these two times and is actually beneficial to the body. This traditional festival shows you positivity and helps detox your mind, soul and body. It helps to remove all the negative energies of your body by looking at the powerful sun.

 

What not to do during Chhath Puja

People generally celebrate Chhath festival with full devotion and try their best to maintain the sanctity of this festival by performing rituals, preparing offerings and offering arghya. In such a situation, you should take special care of some such things, so that Shasthi Maiah does not get upset. 

1) Do not touch anything for worship without washing hands or bathing.

2) Do not touch or touch salty items while making prasad.

3) If someone in your family is going to do Chhath Puja then do not eat non-vegetarian things.

4) Do not allow children to eat fruits and prasad of worship until the ritual is over.

5) Do not spread the goods of worship here and there. 

6) Do not wear dirty clothes during worship; Use only clean and new clothes.

7) Do not drink alcohol or smoke during worship as it is strictly prohibited.

8) It is generally believed that Chhath Puja is performed with complete purity and devotion which brings good health and prosperity for all family members and friends.