Chhath Puja is a prominent Hindu festival. It is celebrated in the North Indian state of Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore, Chandigarh, and in certain regions of Nepal.
In Hinduism, it is believed that the sun heals a variety of health conditions and provides longevity, positivity, prosperity, and well-being. Furthermore, the main day of Chhath Puja is not the first, but the third. People celebrate this festival by engaging in rigorous rituals and practices that last for four days.
Fasting, praying to the rising and setting sun, holy bathing, and praying while standing in water is part of the rituals and traditions. Chhath Puja is also celebrated in the summers after Holi but the Chhath which is celebrated in Kathika month has more prominence and is ardently followed by people.
The Incredible and Numerous Health Benefits
By performing chaat rituals, not only does one facilitate proper blood flow and regulate the proper functioning of the body, but one also prepares one to receive optimum energy from the sun and effectively harness it during sunrise and sunset.
The practice of fasting transforms a devotee's body into highly sophisticated energy conducting channels for the infusion of cosmic energy.
Prayers are offered before the rising or setting sun to facilitate the entry of photons into the eyes and the skin And when they pass through the brain, they generate bioelectricity, which charges the entire body with solar energy. For their sustenance, sages used to go through a similar process in the past.
Chhath rituals ensure maximum Vitamin D and Calcium absorption and induce a balanced hormone secretion in the devotee's body, thereby promoting optimal health.
Aside from cleansing and detoxifying the body, it also boosts the immune system.
The Most Eco-Friendly Festival
Did you know that it is the most eco-friendly festival?
The goal is to worship mother nature in the most sacred way possible without harming the environment at a time when air pollution has reached alarming levels. Unlike other festivals, Chhath revolves around nature as all the items required to observe the festival come directly from nature.
Daura and Suup, two items used in rituals, are made of bamboo, which is biodegradable. Furthermore, kerosene or LPG is strictly forbidden to be used to cook prasad, reducing the environmental impact further.
The pious practice of cleaning up water bodies and riverbanks also makes it a very eco-friendly festival. Chhath may be the only Hindu festival in which only natural products are used.
Priests Are Not Involved and Idols Are Not Worshipped
Most Hindu festivals involve priests or purohits, and the worshipping of huge idols. But Chhath is the only Hindu festival without either. In Chhath, devotees worship the Sun God, his consort Usha or the Chhathi Maiya, nature, water, and the wind. Rituals are not conducted by priests or purohits, and there is no idol worship.
Relation With the Ramayana and Mahabharata
The festival of Chhath celebrates purity, devotion, and offering prayers to the Sun God. The exact origins of Chhath are unknown but certain beliefs are linked to Hindu epics. Chhath Puja is associated with the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
It is believed that when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, he and his wife, Sita, observed a fast in honor of the Sun god and broke it only with the setting sun.
According to Hindu mythology, Karna who is a character from Mahabharata is the child of the Sun god and the goddess Kunti. Karna ruled over Anga Desh, which is contemporary Bhagalpur, Bihar. He is said to stand in water and offer prayers.
However, there is another story that mentions that Draupadi and the Pandavas also performed the same puja to regain their kingdom
Possibly the Only Vedic-Era Festival Celebrated in India
The Rig Veda has references to Chhath Puja. Worshippers chant a few mantras from the Rig Veda texts while offering prayers to the Sun. In the Vedic era, it was believed that sages performed puja by exposing themselves directly to the sun. Isn't that amazing?
Purity Is the Utmost Aim of the Festival
This festival is about purity. Devotees must therefore take the holy bath in the nearby pond or river. A period of self-restraint or abstinence then follows, which requires the person to fast for four days and stay away from the family.
This person who strictly adheres to the rules of this festival is known as Vrati. For four days, she sleeps on the floor and is believed to be a pure spirit. This festival is also about rituals and traditions. However, the rituals of this festival also bring immense mental calmness.
Chhath puja ceremonial practices help to detoxify the mind and the body, reduce anger among people, to kill negative emotions like jealousy or hatred, as well as to enhance immunity. Did you know that observing Chhath puja rituals helps in slowing down the aging process?
Links With Egyptian and Babylonian Culture
One witness the worship of the Sun God, a God who nurtures life on earth, throughout the world, not just in India. Sun God is also worshipped or thanked in many cultures and civilizations.
This kind of festival is celebrated in ancient Egypt and Babylonia, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, Fiji, etc.
Amun, an ancient Egyptian god of creation, is also believed to reside within the Sun. The Akan creator deity, Nyame, and the Dogon deity of creation, Nommo, are the same. Additionally, those who believed in Atenism worshipped the Sun directly in Egypt.
This is perhaps the only Hindu festival with such far-flung connections. Chhath Puja is undoubtedly the most beautiful, grandiose, and most eco-friendly festival.
Written By: Arushi Oberoi
Edited By: Harshdeep Kaur
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