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As Chhath Puja 2021 is around the corner and people are all set to celebrate the festival, here we tell you 5 interesting and less-known facts about Chhath Puja.
Considered to be the most eco-friendly festival, Chhath Puja is celebrated during 4 days across Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP, and also the Madhesi part of Nepal. Chhath Puja is celebrated to thank Surya Deity (The Sun) for bestowing the blessings of life on the earth. Also, Chhath Puja is performed to worship “Chhathi Maiya,” the mother goddess who is the embodiment of support and strength to the poor.
Many people are not exactly sure about tough and long rituals of Chhath Puja. Today as we gear up to celebrate the Chhath Puja 2021, here we bring to the 5 interesting things about Chhath Puja.
We all know that sun also emits harmful ultraviolet radiations. The first interesting and commonly unknown fact about Chhath Puja is that it is scientifically proven that sun emits the lowest level of ultraviolet radiation during this time of the year when Chath Puja is performed.
Chhath Puja is a known for the extremely demanding rituals. The Parvaitin (the main devotee) must remain clean and pure throughout the Puja. Throughout the four-day long Chhath Puja, every morning Parvaitin takes bath in the holy water, abstains from water, food and also sambhog, and can sleep on the mat on the floor.
If you and your family has started to perform Chhath Puja, you cannot for any reason (even death) stop performing the puja. Chhath Puja is a committed tradition which is passed on as heritage from generation to generations, and can never be stopped.
The ancient Hindu festival of Chhath Puja, which will begin with Kartik Shukla Chaturthi (November 8, 2021) and end with Kartik Shukla Saptami (November 11, 2021) this year.
Day 1 of Chhath Puja 2021 (Nahay Khay) | Kartik Shukla Chaturthi (November 8, 2021)
Day 1 of Chhath Puja, you clear out the vengeful thoughts from you mind. The first day of Chhath Puja 2021 (November 8, 2021), the house will be cleaned with water and the Parvaitin (the one who will perform the puja in your house) will take bath in the holy water. Cooking dal, rice, and kaddu (pumpkin) is considered auspicious and the first portion serving of the food is offered in front of God. The first day of Chhath Puja is done to perform shudhikaran (purification) of our hearts and souls from any negativity and vengeful feelings.
Day 2 of Chhath Puja 2021 – Rasiaav-Roti | Kartik Shukla Panchami (November 9, 2021)
Rasiaav-Roti /Lohand / Kharna: The whole day the house members performing puja do not drink even a drop of water. After whole day of fasting during the second day of Chhath Puja, you can eat Rasiaav (kheer made from gur) and chapattis in the evening. Also, you can eat fruits in the evening.
Day 3 of Chhath Puja 2021 – Sandhya Arghya | Kartik Shukla Shashti (November 10, 2021)
During the evening of Sandhya Arghya (third day of Chhath Puja), baskets made of bamboo is decorated with Thekua, rice ladoos, and fruits, and arghya is offered to Deity Sun. During the puja, Surya Dev is offered milk and water and Chhathi Maiya (the goddess) is worshipped with prasad-filled soup and by singing songs and prayers dedicated to Shashthi Devi.
Day 4 of Chhath Puja 2021 – Usha Arghya | Kartik Shukla Saptami (November 11, 2021)
This day of Chhath Puja 2021, devotees take bath at the riverbank before the sun rise, and arghya (offering) are dedicated to Surya (the sun). Special prayers are offered to Chhati hMaiya for the protection of family and the children. After the arghya and prayers have been offered the fast is broken by eating prasad (Paran or Parana), raw milk, or special sharbat.
Lord Sun (Surya) is offered arghya or prasad by the Parvaitin. This food is specifically kheer made of gur, rice ladoos, fruits and Thekua. No family member during Chhath Puja can consume garlic or onion.
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