Change language

x

close
car rental
Rent A Car In India ?

chhath puja

Date

Dates

Start Date: 05-11-2024 End Date:    08-11-2024
Location

Location

Bihar, India

Be a part of one of the ancient rituals of India

Be a part of one of the ancient rituals of India

Chhatha Puja, also known as Surya Shashthi, is an ancient festival prevalent since Vedic ages in India. The festival celebrates Sun God and his sister Chhahthi Maiya, along with Sun God's consorts Usha and Pratyusha. Chhath festival holds great significance for the Indian people of the Hindu community and is also celebrated in Nepal. This festival is celebrated to express gratitude to Sun God for bestowing bounties of life and vegetation on Earth.

Significance
Significance

The festival is celebrated to worship the Sun God, the source of all energy for blessing the earth with life. Devotees all across India pray Surya Dev enthusiastically, in hope of seeking success and well being of the family members and peers. Festival is also celebrated to worship Chhathi Maiya, she is believed to bestow children to mothers. Women all across India worship her to be bestowed with a healthy child. This festival is celebrated six days after Diwali. According to the legend, after Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya and established Ramrajya, his consort Goddess Sita performed Chhath Puja and was blessed with her children Luv and Kush. The festival is celebrated over the course of six days, and various rituals are performed in stages during this time. It is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Bihar. It is also celebrated with very enthusiastically across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Nepal also celebrates Chhath Puja with enormous zeal.

The Rituals
The Rituals

Chhath is ritualized by a phase of abstinence and purity observed by the devotee. During the four days of Chhath Puja devotee is isolated from the family and performs a ritual on each of the days. The four days of worship and their rituals are:

  • Nahay Kay - The devotee bathes in the river, preferably the Ganges and brings home holy water for cleansing. The women fast on this day and consume meals just once.
  • Lohanda and Kharna - This day marks the second day of Chhath Puja. Women fast for the entire day and break it in the evening after sunset. They eat kheer at the end of their meal. After the consumption of kheer, they keep complete fast for the next 36 hours, abstaining from food as well as water.
  • Sandhya Arghya - On the third day of Chhath Puja prasad is prepared. The whole family accompanies women to the bank of the river in the evening. Various offerings are made to the setting sun. Folk songs are sung all around and people rejoice for the coming of the final day of Chhath Puja.
  • Usha Arghya - On the fourth and last day of Puja, the devotees accompanied by their families go to the riverbanks before dawn break. At this time the rising sun is worshipped, and offerings are made to it. Women break their fast and the festival comes to an end. Prasad is distributed to family members, neighbors, and friends marking the end of the festival.
Food

Food during Chhath Puja is prepared using flour, rice, fresh fruits, dry fruits, nuts, jaggery, coconut, and ghee. Salt, onion, and garlic are not used during the four days of Chhath Puja. Thekua is a traditional delicacy prepared during Chhath Puja and is a must-have if you visit Bihar during the festival

Security details:

Bihar has covered a long way up to improve its law and order, and is now in the world map as a fast developing tourist destination. During the Sonepur Mela, there is a heavy police presence and security guards as allotted by Bihar Tourism Tourist Village. Sonepur Mela is something that is unique, distinct and almost untouched since centuries to maintain its exclusivity. It is among those must-visit and must-experience carnivals that are going to leave the reminiscences fresh for long.

Suggested Tours

Tour Booking

Plan your trip
Car Rental
Rent A Car In India ?
Send a Query