Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals that is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and by the Indian diaspora worldwide. This four-day festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya, the Sun God, and his sister Chhathi Maiya. Therefore, approaching Chhath Puja in 2024 with an understanding of the dates, rituals, and festivities can enrich the spiritual value of the festival.
Here are some core elements you need to know about Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja 2024 Dates-
Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day, Shashthi of Kartik. This is either in October or November according to the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, this year in 2024, Chhath Puja will take place on November 8. It extends over four days and, therefore, has significance along with different rituals attached to each one of them. Here are the dates of the festival for 2024:
November 5, 2024 (Nahay Khay):
The first day of the festival, when devotees take a holy dip in a river or lake and prepare a special meal.
November 6, 2024 (Kharna):
On this day, devotees fast and offer sweet dishes made from rice and jaggery to the Sun God in the evening.
November 7, 2024 (Sandhaya Arghya):
This is the biggest day of Chhath Puja, where the devotees gather on the banks of rivers to pay homage to the setting Sun with the arghya or water offering.
November 8, 2024 (Usha Arghya):
It is usually the last day and devotees gather on the rivers to pay homage to the rising sun.
Chhath Puja Rituals
It is characterized by strict rituals: purity, devotion, and bonding with nature. For every day of celebration, there are definite customs:
1. Nahay Khay:
This is the first day of Chhath Puja. During this, devotees purify themselves by taking a holy dip in a river. They prepare a meal, usually arhar dal (pigeon pea), rice, and a vegetable dish. This meal is consumed by the devotees and their family members.
2. Kharna:
On this day, devotees fast strictly from sunrise until the evening rituals. After sunset, they prepare sweet dishes like kheer and thekua, which are made from wheat flour and jaggery. They place them before the Sun God. Families get together over food, so it provides a sense of community with devotion. The bhajans usually start in the evening, and devotees sing devotional songs while praying to the Sun God and seeking his blessings.
3. Sandhya Arghya (Main Day):
It is the most significant day for Chhath Puja. The devotees get up early to dawn break and perform ritual bathing, prepare thekua and gather fruits for offering while doing puja. Everyone dresses up in a traditional outfit. Men carry soop full of fruits, thekua, and other offerings to the ghat before sunset. Women present arghya while having bhajans, who expressed gratitude for the success and sound health of themselves and their families.
4. Usha Arghya:
On the final day of the festival, people gather at the ghat before dawn. At the time of sunrise, people present arghya to the rising sun. After all these rituals, devotees break their fast with the prasad and then distribute it to everyone and bless each other.
Bhajans are an integral part of the heart of devotees during Chhath Puja. Bhajans are devotional songs, which may range from simple folk tunes to elaborate compositions, sung to praise the Sun God and express devotion. The act of singing bhajans during Chhath Puja fosters a sense of unity among devotees as they gather together to sing in reverence.
The bhajans are important not just as entertainment but also for bonding spiritually and with the community. The melodies of the tunes touch the hearts of the devotees, thereby creating an emotional bond with the rituals and the divine. Many families have their traditional bhajans passed from generation to generation, thus making the festival a great tapestry of cultural heritage.
Festivities During Chhath Puja:
Chhath Puja is a festival that encompasses all cultural vigor. The below characteristics will illustrate the festivities seen in Chhath Puja:
1. Community Gathering:
It’s observed that families and neighbors during Chhath Puja celebrate together. A more significant aspect related to a gathering is at the banks of rivers for conducting ceremonies together, which creates feelings of being together and consolidates their bonding.
2. Folk Dances and Dramas:
Apart from singing bhajans, folk dances, and dramas accompany the presentation of what the festival represents. It is a way to promote cultural identity in the minds of forthcoming generations.
3. Decorations and Celebrations:
Homes and streets are decorated with colorful rangoli designs and earthen lamps. The place is replete with glee and devotion, giving a festive touch to the air.
4. Food and Celebration:
The making of traditional sweets and dishes is an essential part of the celebrations. Families come together to make and share these dishes and celebrate festivity and plenty.
5. Environmental Awareness:
Chhath Puja teaches people about nature and the environment. Before the festival, people generally clean the riverbanks and surroundings, thus raising awareness among them to conserve natural resources.
The International Impact of Chhath Puja:
Chhath Puja is not only held in India but also by the Indian diaspora in nations like Nepal, Mauritius, the United States, and Canada. For them, the festival brings back memories of their home; it’s an opportunity to get in touch with their culture and pass it down to subsequent generations. Communities host events and rituals that make sure that the spirit of Chhath Puja lives on even if they’re far away from their original place.
To Wrap Up:
Chhath Puja is a beautiful blend of devotion, culture, and nature. As we head towards the festival in 2024, it is important to respect the traditions, rituals, and the importance of bhajans that make this festival unique. The festival does not only enhance the bonding between devotees and the divine but also creates community spirit and environmental awareness.
Celebrate the rituals this year with much enthusiasm and glee, but let’s also reflect on the rich meaning that these celebrations portray. Enjoy singing bhajans together, sharing meals, and bonding with family. Let Chhath Puja be a time of renewal, gratitude, and harmony in our lives through offering respect to the blessings of the Sun God in our lives.