Chhath Puja - the tradition was started be Karna, the son of SURYA.

Chhath Puja has its origins in the Vedic age and it is often seen to have a connection with the famous Gayatri mantra and the yajna (sacrifice) associated with it. Gayatri mantra, which finds first mention in the Rig Veda, is dedicated to the Savita god i.e. Sun god. Sun is considered as the God of power, radiance and life. By performing this Puja people thank the Sun god for the gifts that he has bestowed upon them.

Chhath means six. Chhath is named so because it is celebrated mainly on the sixth and seventh day of the Hindu month of Kartik. But the whole of Chhath Puja lasts for four days. Like any other festival, it is full of colour, spirit and life.

This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a period of abstinence and ritual segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes ritual purity, and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The main worshipers, called Parvaitin, are usually women. However, a large number of men also are the main worshiper. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, for prosperity and offspring. They usually can perform Chhath only if it is passed on to them from their older generation. However, once they decide to do it, it becomes their duty to perform it every year, the festival being skipped only if there happens to be a death in the family that year.

On the eve of Chhath, houses are scrupulously cleaned and so are the surroundings. On the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha that is simply, 'Bathe and eat'. The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day from the preparation.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings that is called Prashad, is made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the Prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

The evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion. The same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual. Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots.

Chhath is a very joyous and colorful festival. All the people dress up in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank.

The Prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo. The food is strictly vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Emphasis on put on maintaining the purity of the food.

Rituals of Chhath Puja 

Day 1:- Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat)- The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.

Day 2:- Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapatti and bananas - are distributed among family, friends and visitors.

Day 3:- Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.

The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun.

‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition).

The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (arghyas).

Day 4:- Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer arghyas (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing arghyas devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).

This is the crucial part of the ritual. The whole night female family member spent in singing Chhath songs Like :

1. Kelawa jey farela ghawad sey… oh par sooga mandaraaye.....

2. Roonki jhunki beti maangila padhala pandita damaad hey Chhathi maiya.....

3. Paisee jagawe suruj mal ke amma.....

4. Saama khele chalaali… bhouji sang saheli ho.....

5. He uditanaatha…ho gelo bihaan.....

6. Bhaiya mora jaayela mahanga moonger.....

7. Kaachi kaachi baans ke bahangiya…bahangi lachkat jaye… Etc.

And cooking Prasad for the ‘Parvaitin’, who would break her fast after offering ‘Arghya’ to the Rising Sun in the morning. Everybody breaks their fast with the prasad distributed by the ‘Parvaitin’. It’s believed that the Prasad of Chhath is to be begged for and eaten—such is the sanctity of Chhath Puja. They say all your wishes come true if you beg for it to Chhathi Maiyya (The Goddes of Power) .