Mahaparva of Chhathi Maiya - Chhath Puja 2021

Chhath Puja has its origins in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, and in Nepal, but its popularity has now spread not only across north and east India but even across the world. The four-day celebrations attract so many people that city and state authorities often have to make special arrangements.

Celebrated six days after Diwali, Chhath Puja falls in the lunisolar month of Kartik (October-November of the Gregorian calendar). It’s often referred to as a solar festival since the principal god is Surya, the sun god; it is called Surya Shasthi Vrat, with the word chhat coming from shasthi or the sixth day of the new moon. The goddess Chhathi Mai/Usha, said to be Surya’s consort, holds a significant position of reverence and worship. Interestingly, this is one of the few solar festivals that start at sunset rather than sunrise. This is not a gender-specific festival but has traditionally and socially been female-centric, partly also because Chhathi Mai is said to be the protector goddess of children, ensuring their longevity and good health.

Significance of Chhathi Maiya

The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God. The sun is the god visible to every being, is the basis of the life of all creatures on earth. Alongside the Sun God, Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped on this day. According to Vedic Astrology, Chhathi Maiya or Chhathi Mata protects the offspring and provides longevity to them.

In the Hindu religion, the Shashthi Devi has also been referred to as Manas Daughter of Brahma Ji. Within the Puranas, she is additionally aforementioned to be the mother Katyayani, who is worshipped on Navratri on the Shashti date. Shashthi Devi is said to be Chhath Maiya within the native language of Bihar.

As per legends, Chhath Puja is being performed from the early Vedic period by sages who would fast for days and perform the puja with mantras from Rigveda. It's believed that Chhath Puja was also performed by Karna, the son of Lord Surya and the king of Anga Desh, which is the modern-day Bhagalpur in Bihar. In line with another legend, Pandavas and Draupadi also performed the Puja to beat obstacles in their lives and gain their lost kingdom.

For the people from Bihar and another close by areas, Chhath Puja is considered as Mahaparva.

Rituals Involved in Chhath Puja

Chhath is a four-day festival that starts four days after the famous Indian festival Diwali, this year Chhath Puja 2021 is on 10th November. Below is the list of Chhath rituals that are involved in Chhath Puja.

Day1

Kaddu Bhaat or Nahay Khay: The first days of the Chhath Puja involved devotees taking dip preferably in the River Kosi, Ganga, and Karnali, and then after the holy dip devotees take home the holy water to prepare the offerings. It is one of the most important rituals of Chhath Puja on the first day. The Parvaitin cooks the most Satvik Kaddu Bhaat (Bottle Gourd and Bengal Gram Lentil preparation with Arva Rice Bhaat) This preparation is served to the deity in the afternoon as Bhog. This initiates the parv and is the last meal of the Parvaitin during Chhath Puja. The food is strictly vegetarian and is cooked without salt, onions, or garlic. Emphasis is put on maintaining the purity of the food.

Day2

Lohanda or Kharna: The second day of Chhath Puja involved devotees fasting the whole day and the fast ends a little later after the sunset. The second important ritual of Chhath Puja involves devotees preparing offerings like kheer, bananas, and rice for the family after worshiping the Sun and the Moon. After consuming the prasad one has to fast for 36 hours without water.

Day3

Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings): The third day of Chhath Puja is also observed with fast without water and the entire day involves preparing puja offerings. The offerings (prasad) later are kept in a bamboo tray. The offering includes thekua, coconut banana, and other seasonal fruits. The third day’s evening rituals take place at the banks of a river or a pond or any clean water body. All the devotees offer ‘araghya’ to the setting sun.

Day4

Bihaniya Arghya: On the last day of Chhath Puja, devotees again assemble on the bank of the River or any water body and then offer prayers and prasad to the rising Sun. After the offerings are done then the devotees break their fast by eating ginger and sugar or anything available locally. After all these Chhath Puja rituals this amazing festival ends.

Legend Associated with Chhath Puja

The Chhathi Maiya is worshipped at the Chhath festival, which is additionally mentioned within the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. In step with a legend, King Priyavrat, son of First Manu Swayambhu, had no children. Due to this, he used to be unhappy. Maharishi Kashyap asked him to do a yajna. In step with Maharishis orders, he performed a yajna for a son. After this, Queen Malini gave birth to a son but unfortunately, the baby was born dead. King and other family members were unhappy because of this. Solely then a craft was seen within the sky, where Mata Shashthi was sitting. Once the king prayed to her, then she introduced herself and said that – I am the Manas daughter of Lord Brahma, Shashthi Devi. I protect all the children of the world and give the blessings of children to all childless parents.

After this, Goddess blessed the lifeless child with her hands, so that he was alive. The king was more than happy with the grace of the Goddess and he worshipped the Goddess Shashthi Devi. it's believed after this puja, this festival is celebrated worldwide.

Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings)

This day is spent preparing the prasad (offerings) at home. On the eve of this day, the entire household accompanies the Vratins to a riverbank, pond, or a common large water body to make the offerings (Arghya) to the setting sun. It is during this phase of Chhath Puja that the devotees offer prayers to the just setting sun. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the Vratins, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. The folk songs are sung on the evening of Chhath.

After returning from ghat to home the vratins perform the ritual of Kosi bharai. In this ritual, the vratis, along with other family members, perform all the rituals regarding Kosi bharai. They took 5 to 7 sugarcanes and they tied them together to form a mandap and beneath the shed of that mandap 12 to 24 earthen lamps are burnt and offerings like thekua and other seasonal fruits are offered there. The same ritual is repeated in the ghat the next morning between 3:00 am to 4:00 am and afterward the vratis offers arghya or offerings to the rising sun.