Chhath Puja 2023 – one of the largest festivals in the country is going to start on 17th November and last till 20th November. It is the season of festivals, and we cannot wait for Chhath Puja to start this year. Chhath Parv is solely dedicated to the Sun God “Surya Dev” where devotees can be seen fasting and offering prayers thanking him for providing them with bounties of prosperity, wealth and longevity.
Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and some parts of Nepal. People celebrate this festival with grand celebrations and devotion. As Chhath Parv is nearing here is all that you need to know about the four days of Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja 2023 Rituals
Nahaye Khaye
This is the first day of Chhath Puja where devotees can be seen visiting the river, preferably the Ganga and taking a bath. After bathing they also collect the water from the same river and bring it home. With that water, they used to cook the meal for one time. During this time, devotees take food only once a day. They clean their house thoroughly and prepare it for the festival.
Lohanda and Kharna
On this day, the devotees keep fast all throughout the day and only break their fast after the sun sets. They also go shopping for the essentials needed for Chhath Puja and make Rasiao Kheer and chapatis. They offer bhog with these meals to Chhatti Maiya and then break their fast by consuming this prasad.
Sandhya Arghya
This day is generally spent preparing the offerings that the devotees will offer to the Sun God in the evening. During the evening they visit the banks of the river with their family and worship the setting sun. Folk songs are sung, and devotees offer their Sandhya Arghya.
Usha Arghya
The offering given to the Sun God in the morning is known as Usha Arghya or Bihaniya Arghya. You can see the devotees gather with their families at the riverbanks and wait till sunrise. Then they go into the river and offer Usha Arghya to the Sun God. They take blessings from the elders at the ghat and distribute prasad to everyone.
Chhath Puja is a very holy festival and is the main festival of the Bihari and Bhojpuri people of India.