Chhath Mahaparva, a symbol of faith, devotion and discipline, has started across the country today, Saturday, 25th October. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Sun and the worship of Mother Chhathi (Usha). This four-day long festival is starting today with ‘Nahay-Khay’, which is considered the first and most sacred day of Chhath Puja. This year, Chhath Puja has started in auspicious combination like Shobhan Yoga and Ravi Yoga, which are considered extremely fruitful for the puja. According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Mahaparva starts every year from the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month and ends on Saptami Tithi by offering Arghya to the rising Sun.
Day 1 (25 October, Saturday): Nahay-Khay
Day 2 (26 October, Sunday): Kharna
Third day (27 October, Monday): Arghya to the setting sun
Fourth day (28 October, Tuesday): Arghya and Parana to the rising sun.
According to the Panchang, Kartik Shukla Chaturthi Tithi has started today on October 25 at 01:19 AM and will continue till October 26 at 03:48 AM. Thus, on the basis of Udayatithi, Nahay-Khay is being celebrated today itself.
Shobhan Yoga: October 25, 5:55 am to October 26, 3:48 am
Ravi Yoga: October 25, 7:51 am to October 26, 6:29 am
Anuradha Nakshatra: Till morning, after that there will be Jyestha Nakshatra
Abhijit Muhurta (auspicious time of 48 minutes): Most auspicious time from 11:42 am to 12:27 pm
The first day of Chhath is considered a symbol of self-purification and devotion. On this day, devotees take bath and wear sacred clothes. Bathing in river Ganga is considered best, but if it is not possible then it is auspicious to bathe by mixing Ganga water in normal water. After this, complete cleaning of the house and kitchen is done. The place of worship is sanctified and the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. On this day, fasting people eat one meal, which consists of gram dal, bottle gourd vegetable and rice. This food is completely satvik and prepared from pure ghee and rock salt. From this day onwards, the devotees make mental preparation for the rigorous waterless fast of 36 hours. During this period, it is necessary to follow virtuous conduct, celibacy and restraint. Consumption of tamasic substances like alcohol, meat, tobacco, paan etc. is completely prohibited.
‘Kharna’, the second day of Chhath, will be celebrated on 26 October. On this day, in the evening, after fasting for the whole day, the devotees take prasad of jaggery kheer, roti and banana. Only after this the 36-hour waterless fast begins, which continues for the next two days.
27 October (Monday): Arghya to the setting sun in the evening.
28 October (Tuesday): Parana, that is, the fast is completed by offering Arghya to the rising sun in the morning.
At the time of offering Arghya, women and men stand on the banks of ghats or ponds and pray to Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for the happiness, prosperity of the family, protection and health of their children.
Chhath Mahaparva is not just a religious ritual, but a symbol of purity, self-control and gratitude. It is believed that the devotees who worship Chhathi Maiya with full devotion, troubles go away from their lives and happiness and peace comes in the family. Worship of Sun God cures eye and skin diseases and increases energy in the body. At the same time, by the grace of Chhathi Maiya, the child gets longevity and prosperity. Today, Chhath songs are echoing on the ghats all over North India, especially in the Terai areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal – ‘Kelwa je farela ghawad se ohi pe chadhihe sakhiya…’ There is light of lamps and light of devotion everywhere.
