Chhath Puja is one of the most important and beautiful festivals celebrated mainly in the Terai region of Nepal and in many parts of India. It is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, who is considered the source of life and energy. People celebrate this festival to thank the Sun for sustaining life on Earth and to pray for health, happiness, and prosperity for their family.
The word Chhath means “six” in Nepali and Hindi, as the festival is celebrated on the sixth day after Tihar (or Diwali). Chhath Puja usually lasts for four days and involves fasting, cleanliness, prayers, and offerings to the setting and rising sun. Devotees believe that worshipping the Sun during Chhath brings peace, success, and well-being to everyone.
The celebration begins with holy bathing in rivers or ponds, where devotees clean themselves and bring sacred water home to prepare offerings. The second day is known as Kharna, when devotees observe a strict fast and end it in the evening after offering food to the Sun. The third day is the most important day, when devotees stand in water and offer Arghya (a special prayer) to the setting sun with fruits, sweets, and baskets made of bamboo. The last day, known as Usha Arghya, is when they offer prayers to the rising sun, completing the ritual with devotion and purity.
During Chhath Puja, the atmosphere is filled with joy and devotion. People wear clean traditional clothes, decorate riverbanks with lamps and flowers, and sing devotional songs. Families come together to celebrate, and the entire community helps in organizing the rituals. It is a time when everyone feels spiritually refreshed and connected to nature.
Chhath Puja teaches us the values of discipline, cleanliness, and gratitude. It reminds us that nature, especially the Sun, plays a vital role in our lives. By celebrating this festival, people express their respect for nature and their hope for a bright and prosperous future.
Chhath Puja is not only a religious festival but also a celebration of love, unity, and togetherness. It brings people closer and spreads the message of faith and thankfulness. This festival truly shows how deeply our culture values devotion, purity, and harmony with nature.
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