Chhath Puja is a traditional Indian festival dedicated to the sun god, Surya. The Sun is the basis of life for all the creatures on earth and people view the sun as the god of light and life. It is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and the southern parts of Nepal. Chhath Puja rituals start on the sixth day of the Hindu calendar month Kartika, and it lasts for four-five days. The main tradition that happens during Chhath Puja is by offering prayers to the sun god, fasting, and taking dips in the river of Ganga.
History of Chhath Puja:
While the specific starting points of Chhath Puja stay indistinct and vague, some accept that it dates right back to Hindu sagas, Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Ramayana, it is supposed to be a relative of the Sun god. Some say Lord Rama has a ton to do with the origin of Chhath Puja. On getting back to Ayodhya after the exile, Lord Rama and Sita noticed a quick, out of appreciation for the Sun god and broke it just at the break of first light following day; a custom that in this way developed into the Chhath Puja. In Mahabharat, the unmistakable legendary person Karna is supposed to be the offspring of Sun god and Kunti.
It is said that Karna strictly offered his petitions while remaining in the water and disseminated prasad among the poor. One more story specifies how Draupadi and the Pandavas played out a comparative puja to win their realm back. Some say Chhath Puja likewise has been established in science as it assists the human body with disposing of harmfulness.
Taking plunges in water and presenting oneself to the Sun expands the progression of sun-oriented bio-electricity that works on the general usefulness of the human body. Some likewise accept that Chhath Puja wipes out hurtful microbes and infections from the body; subsequently setting one up for the beginning of the winter season.
Rituals:
Day 1: Naha Kha/Nahaye Khaye
On the main day of Chhath Puja, devotees don’t burn-through food before scrubbing down, after which they get ready food things like chane ki daal, kheer, kaddu ki sabzi among others.
Day 2: Kharna
Devotees fast till the Kharna puja finishes up. After which a blend of jaggery-loaded kheer and puris is proposed to the divine beings and conveyed among those who’d observed the fast.
Day 3: Pehla Arghya
The hardest and third day of Chhath has devotees for the most part ladies notice an inflexible fast where they neither devour water nor food. Committed to Sun god’s associate, Chhathi Maiya this day is set apart with society melodies and taking dunks in the blessed waters of Ganga, Kosi, and Karnali; that happen till the sunsets.
Day 4: Doosra Arghya/Paaran
Devotees break their long fast in the wake of offering prayers to the rising Sun.
Here are some amazing ways to decorate your homes just in time for Chhath Puja. Let’s get started!
Chhath Puja Decoration for Home
1. The Chhath Rangoli
This is a very nice way to decorate your home with different colors and lights on such an auspicious day. The variety of colors used here makes the Rangoli look extremely rich and vibrant. The picture of the sun in the rangoli makes it look understood that the rangoli is dedicated to the sun god, Surya. This sets a whole vibe to the puja at your house.
2. The Chhath Puja Platter
The puja platter is the main offering that is given to the sun god, Surya. It’s usually kept on a big huge plate, with one lit Diya, some fruits, and vegetables. They are also decorated with flower garlands and wrapped around a beautiful cloth. They offer this to god by doing puja and then finally once the offering is done, they have it to break the fast.
3. The DIY Chhath Puja Pool
Sometimes we may live in a place where we don’t have access to water for the ritual dip. So here is a DIY idea to create a small pool at home. This way, you will not have the necessity to go and find a lake for the dip. Now you can take a dip in the comfort of your home. This is very simple to create with bricks and plastic paper.
4. The Chhath Pool
This is a DIY pool for the kids to enjoy the Chhath puja. This pool is a big plastic bowl filled with air. You can decorate it the way you want with beautiful flowers and balloons so that the kids will love and enjoy the experience. This is a good way to teach the kids about the importance of Chhath puja and why it’s celebrated.
5. The Chhath Tree Decoration
This is a great idea if you have a big yard full of trees. The trees can be decorated with beautiful lights and decorative items of your choice. The main area can the decorated with lots of balloons and make it cheerful and colorful. This gives your yard a beautiful look and makes you get into the spirit of the festival.
These were a few ideas to decorate your house and to make your Chhath puja one of the best. This is a nice way to bond and celebrate with your family. I really hope you liked this article and found the information on Chhath puja. Check out our website for such amazing craft ideas.
10 Interesting Facts about Chhath Puja:
- No Idol Worship, No Requirement of Priests – Chhath puja is one among the few festivals which don’t require any worshipping of idols. It also doesn’t require any involvement of priests to perform any hardcore ceremony.
- Purity Of Utmost Significance – This is considered as one of the purest festivals as one cleanses themselves by taking a dip in the water and praying to the god of the sun.
- Environment Friendly – Many Indian festivals causes a lot of environmental issues which are extremely harmful. But this festival is extremely environmentally friendly.
- Chhath Transcends Caste Structure – Chhath rises above the unbending limitations of the caste system. It advances balance and brotherhood. Every devotee, paying little mind to her class or caste, gets ready comparative contributions. Individuals from the Dom community get ready bushels that all devotees use to convey contributions and puja material.
- The Only Vedic-era Festival Celebrated In India – The Chhath puja has a reference in the Rig Veda where they used to pray to the sun god. It is still practiced in India. It is perhaps the oldest celebrated festival.
- Association With Both Ramayana And Mahabharata – This is the only festival that has an association with both the Indian epics, that is Ramayana and Mahabharata. Other festivals had neither or just one of them.
- Egyptian And Babylonian Links – The antiquated Egyptian lord of creation, Amun, is likewise accepted to dwell inside the Sun. So are the Akan maker divinity, Nyame, and the Dogon god of creation, Nommo. Likewise, in Egypt, the people who had confidence in Atenism adored the Sun straightforwardly.
- What Chhath Means – The word Chhath is gotten from the Sanskrit word Shashthi, which implies the sixth. Chhath is praised following six days of Diwali. Chaiti Chhath happens in the early summers. It is called so due to the typical act of utilizing level stick containers known as dala during the puja.
- The Worshippers- The devotees who indulge in fasting are known as Vratis. Chhath is commended for the thriving and prosperity of relatives. Regularly, ladies keep quick on Chhath, yet men, however less in numbers, additionally do it.
- The Prasad- Day 1 prasad is made utilizing different fixings like pumpkin, moong-chana dal, and container gourd. Chawal (rice), chana dal (split Bengal gram), and lauki (bottle gourd) are unquestionable requirements on the menu of the devotees. On Day 2, they make an exceptional prasad called Rasaio-Kheer (with jaggery and arwa chawal). On day 3, Vratis set up an extraordinary sweet dish, Thekua, with jaggery, ghee, and flour, which is presented as a prasad to Chhathi Maiya.
