Chhath puja is a major festival of the people of Bihar, but this custom is also religiously carried out in the northern states of India that includes Eastern Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand and also Nepal. It is a festival committed to Lord Surya and involves praying the Sun God for a period of four days by keeping fast. It is celebrated twice a year, once during the summers called the Chaiti Chhath and once during the winters called the Kartik Chhath around a week after Diwali.

During my childhood days, I used to wait eagerly for Chhath puja as this was the only big festival that we could celebrate after Diwali. Waking up early in the morning and going to the riverside in groups was something that I enjoyed a lot. I had often heard about the great significance of this festival and the rituals that the celebration involves.

Today in this blog, I will share with you some interesting facts about Chhath puja that you would love to know.

• Chhath puja is an ancient festival of India and it is the only Vedic celebration that is committed to the Sun God that is considered to be the source of all forces and energy. This divine force is worshipped for prosperity, improvement and successful life. The puja is performed to thank Lord Surya for helping life survive on earth and to seek blessings to help cure various diseases and ensure longevity of the family members.
• It is celebrated on Kartika Shukla Shashti that is the sixth day of the month of Kartika according to the Nepali calendar. The day usually falls in the month of October or November and the date of the festival is decided by the Central Division of Janakpurdham in Nepal and is followed by people all over the world.
• The devotees are required to perform the rituals by keeping a fast without water for about 36 hours continuously. They pray at the river bank during the sunrise and the sunset and scientifically this is done because the ultraviolet radiations are at the lowest during this time and it is good for the body.
• Another most important thing is that, the devotees should abstain from any food that contains onion or garlic. Devotees use only rock salt for preparing the Prasad and break their fast by consuming kheer, sweets, fruits and thekua.
• The festival is not only performed to thank Lord Surya, but also to mark the celebration of the new harvest. The Prasad that is offered to the God are prepared using fresh and new harvest and includes rice, wheat, fruits etc.
• During Chhath Puja, the Goddess that is worshipped is the Chhathi Maiya known as Usha in the Vedas. She is said to be the consort of Surya, the Sun God and some scholars believe that she is the wife of Surya or the only beloved of Surya.
• Chhath is performed by taking a holy dip in the river and worshipping the Sun God. This is the period when the devotees usually women, abstain from the main household tasks. They sleep on the floor on a blanket and observe purity. It is the only festival that requires no pandits to perform the puja. Once a family starts performing the puja, they need to perform it every year and pass it on to the following generations.

Chhath celebration thus showers upon you the energy and detoxifies the body and soul and helps to remove all negative energies.