The famous Chhath Puja of Bihar

Chhath puja is one of the most widely celebrated and revered puja of Bihar. It is celebrated on “Sasthi” ,the 6th day in shukla paksha of Kartik month, hence the name Chhath . In this puja “Surya Devta” and his Shakti (power) called “Chhatthi Maiiya” is worshipped. This puja is performed mainly by women but many men also do it.

It involves lot of preparation and extreme care is taken to ensure shuddhi or cleanliness in preparing all the Prasad and offerings to Surya devta or Chhatthi Maiiya. The person performing puja has to start the ritual two days in advance which is called “Naha-kha”in which he has to have food after taking bath. The food has to be “Satvik” containing no garlic or onion and cooked by a person who has taken bath. The food consists of Rice, dal (lentil) and vegetable. The dal and vegetable must have lauki( bottle gourd) mixed in it. A portion of same food is kept and had in the evening.

The next day is called “Kharna” where the devotee will keep fast whole day and will have Prasad of “Roti- Rasiyav” in the evening only. The Rasiyav is rice cooked in milk with jaggery. After having this Prasad the devotee will continue to fast next full day on Chhatth. On the day of Chhatth the devotee offers arghya to Sun god with water mixed with raw milk and a “soop” (tray made of thin pieces of bamboo sticks) containing seasonal fruits and vegetables like oranges, apples, sweetlime, turmeric, suthni, coconut, sugarcane, banana etc as the sun is setting by standing in knee to waist deep water in rivers or ponds. Similar Arghya- puja is repeated next day early morning as the sun is rising. All the roads leading to baks are well cleaned by community people and also well lit for the convenience of the devotees.

The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth also many devotees have certain wishes to be fulfilled .The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.

The devotees sing various songs depicting their devotion to Surya dev and Chatthi Maiyya while performing the puja or when proceeding to banks of rivers.Visit the following link to listen to a very popular Chhath Geet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2e6ltIlNtk\

The main Prasad of this puja is “Thekua” or “Khujoor”. It is made of small doughs of wheat flour mixed with jaggery , water and ghee, which is flattened into palm size cakes and fried in ghee till they become brown.

“Thekua” or “Khujoor”

Chhath puja is an integral part of a Bihari’s life. Chhath puja binds all the Bihari spread all over the country into pious bond of togetherness and belongingness. The rituals of chhath puja are rigorous but enjoyed by everyone and cherished life long as going to the ghats in the evening and morning and experiencing the serene  beauty of nature and purity of it is mesmerizing. Chhath puja enables you to connect to the vedic times because these rituals are continuation of vedic rituals specially praying of supreme power Sun.

By offering the seasonal fruits and vegetables, the devotees express their gratitude to the Sun God without whose warmth nothing could be produced on earth.

Offering or "Arghya" being offered by devotees to Sun God and his power"Chhathi Maiyya"

This puja is so revered that Biharis staying abroad or outside Bihar take their annual vacation during the Chhath puja especially to celebrate it at their home towns. The Chhath puja is not only one of the most important puja for Biharis but it is an essential part of Bihari culture.

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