Patna. In Bihar, there is a tradition of performing Kharna on the second day of the four-day festival of folk faith, Chhath. Today, on the second day of Chhath, the four-day festival of folk faith in Bihar, a large number of devotees in various areas of the state including the capital Patna took bath in the holy river Ganga and other rivers and ponds. After taking bath in river Ganga this morning, Vrati and his family members returned to their home with Ganga water and started preparing for the puja.
Today is the second day of the fast. On this day, the tradition of Kharna fast is observed, which is the fifth day of Kartik Shukla. Kharna in Chhath means purification. This purification is not only of the body but also of the mind, hence on the day of Kharna, the devotees purify their body and mind for Chhath by eating food only at night. After Kharna, the devotees observe a fast for 36 hours and offer Arghya in the morning on Saptami.
There is a belief that on the day of Kharna, if there is any kind of noise, the devotees leave their food there. Therefore, on this day, people take care that there should not be any noise around while the devotees are taking the Prasad. On the occasion of Kharna, the devotees will worship Lord Bhaskar with full devotion and purity this evening. Lord Bhaskar himself will be accepted by offering kheer mixed with jaggery and roti made with ghee.
After this, Kharna prasad will be distributed among brothers, friends and acquaintances. After that his fasting and waterless fast of about 36 hours will start. On the day of Kharna, Kheer is prepared in a pure manner using jaggery and Sathi rice. Apart from Kheer, radish and banana are also kept in the worship of Kharna. Apart from this, puris, jaggery puris and sweets are also offered to God.
The fasting person consumes this Prasad only after offering it to Chhath Maiya. This is the diet of the fasting person on the day of Kharna. Kheer Prasad made on the day of Kharna is always made on a new stove. Also, a special thing about this stove is that it is made of clay. The wood used in the stove while making Prasad is mango wood only.
On the third day of the festival, the fasting people stand in rivers and ponds and offer the first Arghya from fruits and tubers to the setting sun. On the fourth and last day of the festival, the fasting people again offer second Arghya to the rising sun in rivers and ponds. Only after offering the second Arghya, the 36-hour fast of the devotees ends and they consume food and water. Regarding Chhath, the entire Bihar including the capital Patna is drenched in the colors of devotion. From cleanliness to security and other preparations have been completed in all the districts of the state.
Patna Municipal Corporation is pouring Ganga water into the ponds built in the parks and public places of the city. Ganga water is being poured free of cost into both temporary and permanent ponds. There will be strong medical arrangements at Chhath Ghat. In case of emergency, help of ambulance can be taken. There has been increased activity in the big markets of all the districts of the state since this morning.
On the second day of the fast, people started going to the markets from early morning to buy milk and other goods. Along with milk, people are busy purchasing other items like stove, flour, jaggery and other items. Regarding the great festival Chhath, Chhath songs have started resonating in every house of Bihar including the capital Patna. ..Kelwa je farela ghavad se, oh par suga medrai, adit liho mor argiya.., Dars dekhaav e Dinanath.., Ugi hai Surujdev.., Hey chhathi maiya tohar mahima apar.., Kanch hi bass ke bahangiya bahangi lachkat jaye.., songs are being heard.
Mother Sita performed her first Chhath in Munger.
According to religious belief, Mother Sita had first performed the first Chhath puja on the banks of Ganga in Munger, Bihar, after which the great festival started. Chhath is considered a great festival of Bihar. This festival is celebrated with great pomp in Bihar as well as other states of the country. Chhath festival has special significance in Munger, Bihar. There are many traditions related to Chhath festival but according to religious belief, Mother Sita first performed the first Chhath puja on the banks of Ganga in Munger, Bihar. After this the great festival started.
As proof of this, the footprints of Mother Sita are still present today. According to Valmiki Ramayana, Mother Sita once stayed for six days at Sita Charan in the historical city of Munger and performed Chhath Puja. When Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, he decided to perform Rajsuya Yagya on the orders of sages to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. For this, Mugdal Rishi was invited but Mugdal Rishi ordered Lord Ram and Sita to come to his own ashram. On the orders of the sage, Lord Rama and Sita themselves came here and were told about its worship.
Mugdal Rishi purified Mother Sita by sprinkling Ganga water and ordered to worship Sun God on Shukla Paksha Shashthi date of Kartik month. Staying here, Mother Sita worshiped Lord Surya for six days. It is believed that where Mother Sita had performed Chhath Puja, her footprints are still present there. Later, the people of Jafar Nagar Diara area built a temple there. It is famous by the name of Sitacharan Temple. This temple gets submerged in the floods of Ganga every year.
The stone bearing Sita’s footprint remains immersed in the waters of the Ganga for months. Despite this his footprints have not been tarnished. Devotees have deep faith in this temple and the footprints of Mother Sita. Villagers say that people from other states also come here to pay obeisance throughout the year. The wishes of the devotees who come here are fulfilled. According to the priest of the temple, no devotee who comes to Sitacharan Temple returns empty handed.