Diverse people have diverse beliefs. India portrays its biggest example. In terms of religions and culture, it is the richest of all. Festivals stream the whole year to exhibit its richness. One of such religious riches is the festival of Chhath.
What is Chhath?
It’s a Vedic fest that symbolizes the significance and importance of the god ‘Sun’. We all know it’s the life-giver. Our ancestors, too, were well aware of this fact. However, most of the people celebrate it due to its mythological aspect. This aspect influences them to worship Chhathi Maiya-the wife of the Sun.
Devotees get the spiritual reason to thank the Sun for sustaining life on the earth through this festival.
When does it fall?
What a coincidence it is that Chhaths fall twice & follow the biggest Hindu festivals!
Devotees observe it in summer and winter. During summer, it falls on the Chaitra Shashthi which follows Holi-the festival of colours.
Every year in the month of Kartika-the Hindi month, or October/November as per Gregorian calendar, the biggest Chhath is observed with reverence. Its occurrence can be forecasted easily since it falls on the sixth day following Diwali-the festival of light, celebration of Govardhan Pooja and Bhai Dooj.
It is not the one day’s ritual but lasts for four days arduously.
What’s the reason of celebrating this festival?
Let’s open the pages of mythology first to know the reason behind its celebration. North Indians dedicate this day to Chhati Maiya. She is the beloved & younger wife of the Sun as per mentions in the Vedas. Like her, he has two more wives, namely Usha and Pratyusha.
According to Rig Veda, Usha signifies the first rays of dawn while Pratyusha is its last ray. Both names have Usha in common. This word is considered as the awakening of consciousness. Both provide the sun its energy. This is the concrete reason beneath their worshipping along the sun.
There is one more extract from Mahabharata exhibiting this fest’s prevalence. Obeying the instructions of sage Dhaumya, Draupadi observed fasting and worshipping the sun. Her all grievances ended afterwards and her husband got dynasty of Indraprastha.
According to one more account from epic Ramayana, lord Rama and his wife Sita observed fasting on this very day to thank the god Sun for ending their grief of 14 years’ exile. Both restored the peace in life afterwards in their kingdom ‘Ayodhya’.
How people celebrate it?
Since it is dedicated to the sun, women keep fast and abstain from water. In return, they want his blessings and long life of their husband and son.
So, houses, their surroundings and riverbanks are spruced up. They are decorated like a newly-wed bride for performing related tantrum or rituals.
Nahay Khay/Arwa Arwain:
As foretold, it lasts for four days. The first day is called Nahay Khay or Arwa Arwain since devotees dip in the river water in the dawn. This way the fasting begins. The Vratins (Women on fasting) can eat dinner on that day.
Lohanda & Kharna
It’s the second day when the Vratins keep fasting. Like first day, they have a meal but only after offering it to the sun and the moon in the evening. Puffed pooris, Kheer (of rice) and bananas are eaten as the dinner. It’s the prep prior to the severe fasting of 36 hours long.
Sandhya Arghya or Pahela Aragh
It’s celebrated no less than a colourful and pompous carnival. The females with their entire family hurry to the riverbanks for offering Arghya to the setting sun. The folks sing folksongs to chant this occasion’s significance in verses.
Usha Argyha or Dusra Aragh
The last day is the most significant as the Parvaitins (fasting women) along with their pan family flock the banks of the water bodies in the dawn. They submerge the water while offering Thekua (Prasad), five different cereals (like parch gram, wheat), fruits and vegetables to the sun.
They end fasting after distributing the prasad to their neighbours, relatives and friends in the evening.