Chhath Puja 2024: Date, Rituals, and Significance of This Sacred Festival

Chhath Puja 2024: is one of the most revered festivals celebrated in the northern and eastern parts of India, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Known for its unique rituals and deep cultural significance, Chhath Puja is dedicated to worshiping the Sun God and seeking his blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from November 5 to November 8 with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Important dates and times of Chhath Puja 2024

The four-day Chhath Puja includes distinct rituals by devotees who observe fasting, perform traditional prayers, and take holy dips in rivers. Here are the important dates and timings for Chhath Puja 2024:

Significance of Each Ritual

• Nahai Khay (5 November, 2024): This first day involves purifying oneself by bathing in a holy river or water source. Devotees clean their houses and prepare vegetarian food, usually rice, lentils and pumpkin, which marks the beginning of the fast.
• Kharna (November 6, 2024): On the second day, devotees observe a strict fast that lasts from sunrise to sunset without consuming water. After sunset, they break the fast with a prasad (offering), typically kheer (sweet rice pudding), fruits, and chapati.
• Sandhya Arghya (November 7, 2024): The third day, Sandhya Arghya, involves an evening offering to the setting sun. Devotees gather at riversides or water bodies, where they perform prayers, sing traditional songs, and make offerings such as fruits and sweets to the Sun God.
• Usha Arghya (November 8, 2024): On the final day, devotees perform the Usha Arghya ritual, offering prayers to the rising sun. After the ritual, they break their fast and share the prasad with family and friends, marking the end of the festival.

Chhath Puja Ritual Essentials

Here are some common items used during Chhath Puja rituals:

• Prasad: Thekua (a traditional sweet made from wheat), fruits, kheer
• Prasad: Coconut, sugarcane, ginger and seasonal fruits
• Decoration: Earthen diyas, floral decorations, colourful rangoli
• Traditional dress: New clothes, often in traditional Indian style

Health and Environmental Aspects of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja promotes a strong bond between the individual and nature. The fasts are believed to purify the body, while the rituals performed on the banks of rivers promote environmental awareness, as devotees ensure the cleanliness of water bodies. Also, offering arghya to the Sun God symbolises gaining strength and health from the sunlight.

Tips for Celebrating Chhath Puja

• Respect traditions: Follow rituals related to customs, keep the surroundings clean during the puja.
• Stay hydrated: Though fasting is strict, it is important to stay hydrated, especially for those who are fasting without food and water.
• Ensure safety near water: Since rituals are performed near rivers, ensure proper safety for children and elderly devotees.

Chhath Puja 2024 promises to be a spiritually uplifting experience, which will connect people with their cultural roots and reinforce the importance of gratitude towards nature.