EVERYTHING ABOUT CHHATH PUJA 2023
Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. It’s dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, believed to be Surya’s sister or a manifestation of Usha, the goddess of dawn.
The origins of Chhath Puja
The origins of Chhath Puja can be traced back to ancient Vedic texts, which emphasize the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and his sister, Chhathi Maiya or Usha, the goddess of dawn. The festival’s narrative is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and legends.
Draupadi and the Mahabharata Connection:
One of the popular stories linked to Chhath Puja revolves around Draupadi and the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata. Legend has it that Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, faced hardships and sought guidance from the great sage Dhaumya during their exile. The sage advised Draupadi to observe the Chhath Puja rituals to overcome her troubles.
Draupadi fervently performed the rituals, which pleased the Sun God. As a result, she received divine blessings and solutions to her problems. Consequently, the Pandavas regained their lost kingdom and overcame their adversities.
Surya and Chhathi Maiya:
Another tale recounts the divine origin of Chhathi Maiya as the sister of Surya, the Sun God. It’s believed that Chhathi Maiya possesses divine powers and symbolizes feminine energy, strength, and fertility. Her devotion to her brother Surya and her blessings are sought for prosperity, longevity, and the well-being of families.
The Chhath Puja Rituals:
The rituals observed during Chhath Puja reflect the stories and legends associated with Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees express their gratitude to the Sun God, who sustains life on Earth, by following rigorous practices that include fasting, holy bathing, offering prayers, and performing rituals at sunrise and sunset near water bodies.
The festival’s duration spans four days, each having its own rituals and significance. It’s a time for deep spiritual devotion, expressing gratitude, and seeking blessings for the prosperity and well-being of families.
Chhath Puja, rooted in these stories and mythology, emphasizes the relationship between humans and nature, underlining the importance of gratitude, discipline, and faith. The festival continues to be celebrated with immense reverence and cultural significance, passing down these stories and traditions from generation to generation.
Chhatg Puja Duration and Timing:
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival that occurs typically in October-November, six days after Diwali, during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The rituals are meticulously observed over these days, each with its own significance and rituals.
Chhath Rituals and Observances:
1. Nahay Khay (Day 1): Devotees take a holy dip in a river or other water bodies before preparing traditional meals. They consume a single meal for the day.
2. Kharna (Day 2): Fasting begins, and devotees observe a rigorous fast without water throughout the day. In the evening, they break their fast after making offerings to the Sun God and the Moon.
3. Sandhya Arghya (Day 3 – Evening): Devotees congregate at the banks of rivers or ponds to offer prayers to the setting sun. They perform various rituals, including standing waist-deep in water and offering arghya (water, milk, flowers, and fruits) to the sun while chanting mantras.
4. Usha Arghya (Day 4 – Morning): Devotees return to the water bodies before sunrise to offer prayers to the rising sun. This is a significant event where they offer arghya to the rising sun while standing in water.
Chhath Puja Significance:
Chhath Puja holds immense cultural, spiritual, and social significance. It’s a festival that honors the Sun God, seen as the source of life, energy, and healing. Devotees believe that by performing these rituals with devotion and purity, they receive blessings for prosperity, longevity, and the well-being of their families.
Community and Tradition:
The festival fosters community bonding, with families and communities coming together to observe the rituals, share traditional foods, and offer prayers. It also reflects the cultural heritage and traditions passed down through generations, emphasizing the deep connection between humanity and nature.
Chhath Puja Aarti and translation in english
जय छठी मईया ऊ जे केरवा जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए।मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए॥जय॥ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय।ऊ जे नारियर जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए॥जय॥
मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए।ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय॥जय अमरुदवा जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए।मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए॥जय॥ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय।शरीफवा जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए॥जय॥मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए।ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय॥जय॥ऊ जे सेववा जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए।मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए॥जय॥ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय। सभे फलवा जे फरेला खबद से, ओह पर सुगा मेड़राए॥जय॥ मारबो रे सुगवा धनुख से, सुगा गिरे मुरझाए। ऊ जे सुगनी जे रोएली वियोग से, आदित होई ना सहाय॥जय॥
Translation – “Victory to Chhathi Maiya, oh, who resides in the ‘Kerwa’ fruit, who brightens up the world.
Oh, she’s the mother of the sugarcane, will beat the drum, and the sugarcane will sway. Victory!Oh, the sugarcane that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the watermelon, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the watermelon will sway. Victory!Oh, the watermelon that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the guava, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the guava will sway. Victory!Oh, the guava that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the fig, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the fig will sway. Victory!Oh, the fig that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the apple, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the apple will sway. Victory!Oh, the apple that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the pineapple, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the pineapple will sway. Victory!Oh, the pineapple that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s the custard apple, who brightens up the world. Will beat the drum, and the custard apple will sway. Victory!Oh, the custard apple that cries due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.
Oh, she’s all the fruits, who brighten up the world. Will beat the drum, and the fruits will sway. Victory!Oh, all the fruits that cry due to separation, there’s no support at the beginning.”These verses are part of a traditional Chhath Puja song, expressing devotion and reverence to Chhathi Maiya through various fruits, depicting her presence and nurturing essence in each of them.
Conclusion:
Chhath Puja is a revered festival that celebrates nature, gratitude towards the Sun God, and the essence of purity, discipline, and devotion. It holds a special place in the hearts of people from the regions where it’s celebrated and continues to be a cherished part of their cultural identity.