Chhath Puja is a vital Hindu pageant and the 4 days see devotees praying to Sun God or Surya Dev. Chhat Puja is an historical Indian pageant celebrated most generally within the states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Aparnna Patiil, an astrology and numerology skilled from All India Institute of Occult Science and True Vastu, shares, “Chhath Pooja is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik month, according to the Hindu calendar. It is a four-day festival, where devotees worship the Sun Lord along with his sister Chhathi Maiya/ Shashti Maa and his two wives – Pratyusha and Usha – by offering Arghya to both the setting Sun and the rising Sun. Many devotees keep fast for 36 hours.” In 2023, Chhath Puja begins on Friday, November 17, and continues until Monday, November 20.
Chhath Puja 2023: Significance
In our Vedic Astrology, the Sun is crucial Planet which signifies soul, father, vitality, energy and career, explains Aparnna Patiil. She provides, “Chhathi Maiya signifies the benefactor and protector of children and also the one who blesses the devotees with children. By offering water/ Argya to the setting sun, devotees pay respect to their forefathers and by offering Arghya to the rising sun, the devotees seek blessings for their children with good health and happiness. It is believed that performing Chhath Pooja provides punya or blessings to the devotees equivalent to those who offer Arghya to the Sun daily for 365 days.”
Chhath Puja 2023: Dates And Rituals
Patiil, whereas saying that “no muhurat or auspicious time is required for Chhath Puja”, explains the 4 days puja day rituals that must be adopted:
Day 1: Nahay Khay – November 17, 2023
This day, devotees ought to eat satvik or pure meals. There is a practice of getting bottlegourd sabzi and rice.
Day 2: Kharana – November 18, 2023
On today, devotees observing quick ought to pray to Chhathi Maa. The devotees ought to put together candy kheer with jaggery, dal and chawal and provide this as prasad, and likewise eat it themselves. The quick begins after this. From this time to the following half day, devotees mustn’t have water too.
Day 3: Sandhya Argya – November 19, 2023
On today, devotees provide arghya to the setting solar within the night.
Day 4: Subah Ka Argya – November 20, 2023
On today, devotees provide arghya to the rising solar. Then they’ve prasad and break their quick.
Chhath Puja 2023: Dos And Don’ts To Follow
Dos:
1. Devotees ought to clear their homes and sanctify them. They ought to take a shower and purify themselves too.
2. They ought to all the time wash their fingers earlier than touching the belongings required within the puja.
3. Devotees ought to be certain that their fingers and ft are clear earlier than making prasad.
4. It is believed that Chhath Puja performed with purity and reverence will carry prosperity and good well being to their family members.
5. Devotees ought to use solely sendha namak (rock salt) to make meals.
6. Devotees ought to put on new, clear garments whereas providing arghya.
Don’ts:
1. Do not use widespread salt for making prasad.
2. Do not eat non-vegetarian meals if somebody in your loved ones is observing Chhath Puja quick.
3. Do not drink or smoke through the puja.
4. Do not let kids eat or chunk fruits saved in puja thali and people supplied as prasad till the pageant ends.
5. Devotees mustn’t put on unwashed garments.
