Know Dates And Rituals Of Chhath Puja, How They Are Performed
NDTV
Chhath Puja 2023 Dates: Historically, Chhath Puja holds a special place as it was believed to have been practiced by the legendary figures of Surya and Savitri.
The festival of Chhath is just days away and will be celebrated with enthusiasm in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Chhath Puja is deeply rooted in ancient history and traces its origins to the Vedic times. The Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, mentions rituals dedicated to the Sun, emphasising its importance in sustaining life. Over the centuries, these rituals evolved into the elaborate and revered Chhath Puja observed today.
The dates for Chhath Puja are decided on the basis od Hindu calendar. If falls six days after Diwali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, with the devotees worshipping Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti and Sun's sister. The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and observing a tough fast, including abstaining from drinking water.
This year, according to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Chhath Puja will begin on November 17 and continue till the 20th. It starts with the ritual of Nahay Khay (bathing and feasting) on the first day. On the second day, called Kharna, devotees fast throughout the day, breaking it only after sunset as an offering to the deities.
