Patna. The tradition of celebrating Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, has been there since the times of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Chhath is actually a festival of sun worship. Therefore, it is also known as Surya Shashthi Vrat. In this, Surya is worshiped to get his blessings. It is believed that by worshiping Sun God on this day, the fasting person gets happiness, good fortune and prosperity and all his wishes are fulfilled.
The mention of organizing this festival is also found in ancient texts. On this day, Arghya is offered to the Sun by standing in water on the banks of rivers, ponds or ponds. Chhath was earlier celebrated only in Bihar, Jharkhand and North India, but now gradually its importance has been accepted throughout the country. Chhath festival is a corruption of Shashthi. For this reason this fast was named Chhath Vrat. Chhath is celebrated twice a year.
First time in Chaitra and second time in Kartik month. The Chhath festival celebrated on Chaitra Shuklapaksha Shashthi is called Chaiti Chhath and the festival celebrated on Kartik Shuklapaksha Shashthi is called Kartik Chhath. Four days of Nahay-Khay, Kharna or Lohanda, Evening Arghya and Sunrise Arghya are important for Chhath Puja. Sugarcane, fruits, dala and soup etc. are used in the worship of Chhath.
According to beliefs, Chhathi Maiya is said to be the sister of Lord Surya. During this festival, apart from Chhathi Maiya, Lord Surya is also worshipped. It is said that the person who worships these two, his children are protected by the sixth mother. It is said that this difficult fast of four days can be completed only by the power of God. There are many stories regarding Chhath.
According to a legend, during the Mahabharata period, when the Pandavas lost their entire kingdom in gambling, Draupadi observed Chhath fast. With this their wishes were fulfilled and the Pandavas got back the kingdom. Apart from this, mention of Chhath Mahaparva is also found in the Ramayana period. According to another belief, Chhath or Surya Puja is performed since the Mahabharata period.
It is said that Chhath Puja was started by Surya’s son Karna. Karna was a great devotee of Lord Surya. According to beliefs, he used to stand in waist-deep water for hours every day and offer prayers to the Sun. It was only by the grace of Surya that he became a great warrior.
