Chhath Puja

Deeply rooted in the ancient Vedic texts of India, Chhath Puja is a profound festival of gratitude and devotion dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and his sister, Chhathi Maiya (often identified with Usha, the goddess of dawn). Unlike most Hindu festivals that involve idol worship, Chhath is a elemental celebration of nature itself, honoring the sun as the primordial source of all life, energy, and healing. It is a festival of immense faith, purity, and discipline, observed with incredible rigor and devotion, primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Terai regions of Nepal.

The origins of Chhath Puja are steeped in mythology and antiquity. One legend connects it to the Ramayana, suggesting that Sita, after returning to Ayodhya with Lord Rama, performed the puja to thank the Sun God. Another legend links it to the Mahabharata, where the noble Karna, believed to be the son of Surya, would stand in the water for hours to offer his prayers. These stories highlight the festival's deep-seated tradition and its emphasis on physical and spiritual purification. The 'Vratis' (devotees who observe the fast, mostly women) undertake a grueling 36-hour fast, abstaining from even a single drop of water. This incredible display of devotion culminates in offering 'Arghya' (water with offerings in a bamboo tray) to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya), a beautiful ritual that symbolizes reverence for the cosmic cycles of life, death, and renewal.