Chhath 2022: The annual Chhath Puja celebration, which lasts for four days, is rapidly approaching, and worshippers are preparing to celebrate it grandly. Chhath Puja, also referred to as Surya Shashti, Chhath, Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Puja, Pratihar, and Dala Chhath, is an annual festival honouring Lord Surya (also known as the Sun God or Surya Bhagavan), the deity of vitality and energy.
During the Chhath, women follow a strict fast and offer prayers to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya for the welfare, prosperity, and advancement of their families and children. They also present Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya with Arghya. The celebration is exclusive to Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in India and Nepal.
From when does Chhath 2022 start?
After six days of Diwali or on the sixth day of the month of Kartik, Chhath Puja is observed. A day after Diwali, devotees begin the Chhath preparations by committing to eating only Satvik food (food without onion or garlic), preparing meals with the highest sanitation, and only eating after taking a bath. Chhath Puja falls on October 30 this year. On October 28, Nahay Khay will mark the start of the festival. On October 29, Kharna, Chhath Puja, and Usha Arghya will follow. People who celebrate the Chhathi adhere to strict rituals on each day.
Chhath 2022: Shubh Muhurat
As per reports, on Chhath Puja sunrise will be at 06:43 am and sunset at 06:03 pm. The Shashthi tithi is from 05:49 on October 30 to 03:27 on October 31.
Chhath 2022: Story and significance
There are several origin stories for Chhath Puja, and some of them are even mentioned in writings like the Rig Veda. Hindu legend states that Draupadi and the Pandavas used to participate in the Chhath Puja in order to reclaim their Kingdom and find solutions to their problems. According to a different tale, Chhath Puja used to be performed by Karna, who was the son of Lord Surya and Kunti. During the time of the Mahabharata, he was the ruler of the Anga Desh, or modern-day Bhagalpur in Bihar.
During Chhath Puja, devotees offer Argya and pray to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya in order to get their blessings as well as for the success and welfare of their children and other family members. Devotees repeat mantras from the Rig Veda scriptures while they offer devotion to Lord Surya. Additionally, it is stated that in order to benefit from the sun’s rays and perform the Chhath puja, the sages of the Vedic era used to expose themselves to direct sunlight.
Chhath 2022: Celebrations
In order to get blessings from Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya during Chhath Puja, women observe a 36-hour fast. The first day of Chhath is referred to as Nahay Khay; on this day, devotees bathe in sacred water like the Ganges; ladies who follow Chhath eat only one meal; and devotees make prasad for Lord Surya. Women practise a demanding nirjala vrat on the second and third days, which are referred to as Kharna and Chhath Puja. The ladies break their 36-hour fast on the fourth day (Usha Arghya), when they present Arghya to the rising sun while standing in the river.
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