The Rituals
Rituals of Chhath Puja
Day 1:- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat)- The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.
Day 2:- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.
Day 3:- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.
The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.
‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).
The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).
Day 4:- Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).
This is the crucial part of the ritual. The whole night female family member spent in singing Chhath songs Like :
1. Kelawa jey farela ghawad sey… oh par sooga mandaraaye.....
2. Roonki jhunki beti maangila padhala pandita damaad hey Chhathi maiya.....
3. Paisee jagawe suruj mal ke amma.....
4. Saama khele chalaali… bhouji sang saheli ho.....
5. He uditanaatha…ho gelo bihaan.....
6. Bhaiya mora jaayela mahanga moonger.....
7. Kaachi kaachi baans ke bahangiya…bahangi lachkat jaye… Etc.
And cooking Prasad for the ‘Parvaitin’, who would break her fast after offering ‘Arghya’ to the Rising Sun in the morning. Everybody breaks their fast with the prasad distributed by the ‘Parvaitin’. It’s believed that the Prasad of Chhath is to be begged for and eaten—such is the sanctity of Chhath Puja. They say all your wishes come true if you beg for it to Chhathi Maiyya (The Goddes of Power) .
The prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo.
The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the food.
Once a family start performing Chhatt Puja, it is continued annually by the following generations. If unable to perform the puja themselves for personal reasons, it is recommended that one should assist some one else who is performing the puja by providing funds or the prasad instead of completely missing the puja.
Day 1:- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat)- The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.
Day 2:- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.
Day 3:- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.
The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.
‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).
The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).
Day 4:- Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).
This is the crucial part of the ritual. The whole night female family member spent in singing Chhath songs Like :
1. Kelawa jey farela ghawad sey… oh par sooga mandaraaye.....
2. Roonki jhunki beti maangila padhala pandita damaad hey Chhathi maiya.....
3. Paisee jagawe suruj mal ke amma.....
4. Saama khele chalaali… bhouji sang saheli ho.....
5. He uditanaatha…ho gelo bihaan.....
6. Bhaiya mora jaayela mahanga moonger.....
7. Kaachi kaachi baans ke bahangiya…bahangi lachkat jaye… Etc.
And cooking Prasad for the ‘Parvaitin’, who would break her fast after offering ‘Arghya’ to the Rising Sun in the morning. Everybody breaks their fast with the prasad distributed by the ‘Parvaitin’. It’s believed that the Prasad of Chhath is to be begged for and eaten—such is the sanctity of Chhath Puja. They say all your wishes come true if you beg for it to Chhathi Maiyya (The Goddes of Power) .
Chhatt is a very joyous and colorful festival. All the people dress up in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank. Thousands and thousand of people gather at the banks of rivers and ponds to celebrate Chhatt. The streets are kept spotlessly clean by volunteers, who also decorate all the streets leading to the river.
The prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo.
The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the food.
Once a family start performing Chhatt Puja, it is continued annually by the following generations. If unable to perform the puja themselves for personal reasons, it is recommended that one should assist some one else who is performing the puja by providing funds or the prasad instead of completely missing the puja.
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