Chhath Puja 2022: Celebrations
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Surya Dev and Shashthi Devi. Chhath Puja is celebrated after Diwali for four days. Dominated in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the Madhesh region of Nepal, the ancient festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God is about to happen on October 30. The festival is popular as Chhath Puja, Surya Shashti, Chhath, Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Puja, and Dala Chhath. It marks the presence of the Vedic period where sages used to perform fasts for days and recite mantras from the Rig Veda. The puja is considered a folk festival that lasts for four days. It begins with Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and ends with Kartik Shukla Saptami. There are two types of Chhath; one falls during the Chaitra month and the other in the month of Kartika.
October 2022 Current Affairs Quiz
CHHATH PUJA 2022: DATE AND TIME
- Chhath Puja begins: Sunday, October 30, 2022
- Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day: 06:32 am
- Sunset on Chhath Puja Day: 05:39 pm
- Shashthi Tithi Begins: 05:49 am on Oct 30, 2022
- Shashthi Tithi Ends: 03:27 am on Oct 31, 2022
Chhath Puja 2022: Significance
The day is considered an environmentally friendly festival that involves the elements of the universe being worshipped and paid attention to. The best part of this festival goes beyond the caste differences that exist in Hindu society. Therefore, on this day, offerings are made from various river banks through prayers and rituals.
The rituals of Chhath Puja are followed for four days which include the following activities.
- Kaddu Bhaat or Nahai Khai- The first day of Chhat Puja is known as Kaddu Bhaat or Nahai Khai. During this day, the Paravaitin (the main worshipper who observes fast) cooks the Satvik Kaddu Bhaat which is served as ‘Bhog’ to the sun god in the afternoon.
- Kharana- The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharana in which the Paravaitin cooks roti and rice kheer and serves it as ‘Bhog’ to the Moon-god or Chandradevta.
- Arghya- During the third day of Chhath Puja, a full-day fast without water is observed. The main ritual of the day is to offer Arghya to the setting sun.
- Dusri Arghya or Usha Arghya- On the final day of Chhath Chhath Puja, the 36 hours long fast is broken after giving Arghya to the sun. The Arghya is offered to the rising sun.
