Chhath puja drawing

Devotees carry holy Ganga water ahead of Chhath Puja, in Patna on Monday. (Source: PTI) Ghats have been spruced up, roads wiped clean and all arrangements are in place as people, mainly from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are all set to observe their most important festival of the year today. Celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali, Chhath is an ancient festival dedicated to the Sun God. Women celebrate Chhath Puja in Patna. (Source: PTI photo) On the first day, which is called ‘nahan khan’ or ‘nahai khai’, the worshippers take a dip in a river or a pond in the morning and carry home water from the same water body. The water is used to prepare prasad (offerings) for the Sun God. The house and its surroundings are then cleaned. These worshippers have only one meal on this day. Day Two is ‘lohanda’, when the women observe a fast for the whole day, ending it only after sunset. And then begins another 36-hour tough fast during which they are not even allowed a sip of water. People gather together ahead of Chhath puja in Patna to carry holy Ganga water on Sunday. (Source: PTI) On the day of Chhath, after preparing the prasad, they take a holy dip in the water body in the evening and worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiyya. The entire household, along with friends and acquaintances, accompany the women to the riverbank or pond as they offer ‘sandhya arghya’ (evening offerings) to the setting sun, with others singing folk songs meant for the occasion. On the fourth day, d...

The annual The annual four-day festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Kartik. (HT PHOTO) Chhath Puja 2022 Date: Chhath Puja is celebrated after six days of Diwali or on the sixth day of the month of Kartik. Devotees start the preparations for Chhath a day after Diwali by beginning to eat only Satvik food (without onion or garlic), preparing meals with utmost hygiene, and eating only after taking a bath. This year, Chhath Puja will fall on October 30. According to Drik Panchang, sunrise on Chhath Puja will be at 06:43 am, and sunset will happen at 06:03 pm. The Shashthi tithi begins at 05:49 am on October 30 and ends at 03:27 am on October 31. (Also Read | Chhath Puja 2022 Calendar: When is Chhath Puja? Know all about the correct dates for 4 days of Chhath celebrations ) Chhath Puja 2022 History and Significance: There are many legends associated with the origins of Chhath Puja, and some even find mention in Rig Veda texts. According to Hindu mythology, Draupadi and the Pandavas used to Devotees offer Argya and pray to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya during Chhath Puja to receive their blessings and for the prosperity and well-being of their kids and family members. While offering prayers to Lord Surya, devotees also chant mantras from the Rig Veda texts. It is also said that the sages of the Vedic era used to perform the Chhathh puja by exposing themselves to direct sunlight to gain energy from the sun's rays. Chhath Puja 2022 Celebrations: Wom...