Chhath Puja: An Ancient Festival of Devotion, Purity, and Reverence for Nature
When You Ask – Who Is God?
When you ask, "Who is God?" you might hear responses like "the Creator," "the one who nourishes us," "the one who punishes us and rewards us for good deeds," "the provider of food, water, health, and wealth."
But if you observe the world with common sense, you'll see—who gives us all of this? Who truly controls us? Nature surrounds us, spanning realms across 30 trillion kilometers in space and beyond. The father of all nine planets, the lord of nature, the giver and taker of life—in front of whom, we are like dust, or perhaps even less.
Because of this power—rains nourish the earth, trees grow, animals thrive, rocks turn into soil, light shines, and we can see.
You don’t need a book to explain this grandeur. Just a little observance, consciousness, and awareness of where you stand, and because of whom you stand, and you’ll see this force right before you, every day.
This is the lord of the solar system—Surya Bhagawan.
"ēșa brahmā ca vișņuśca śivaḥ skandaḥ prajāpatiḥ |
mahēndro dhanadaḥ kālo yamaḥ somo hyapām patiḥ ||"
This means: "This one is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, and Prajapati (the Lord of creatures). He is also Mahendra (Indra, the King of Gods), Dhanada (Kubera, the Lord of Wealth), Kala (Time), Yama (the God of Death), Soma (the Moon God), and the Lord of the Waters (Varuna)."
These words, spoken by the great sage Agastya to Shri Rama in the Aditya Hridayam, illuminate Surya’s grandeur.
Chhathi Maiya—the sixth among the sixteen sisters of Surya Bhagawan, represents nature itself. She is also known as Devasena, the consort of Skanda or Murugan, the lord who governs Bharat's southern region. This divine union symbolizes the essence that binds us together, even as some forces may try to divide us. Recognizing these connections helps us rediscover unity.
Here’s a streamlined, refined version that maintains the depth of meaning and rich detail for each section, enhancing readability and flow:
When You Ask – Who Is God?
When you ask, "Who is God?" you might hear responses like "the Creator," "the one who nourishes us," "the one who punishes us and rewards us for good deeds," "the provider of food, water, health, and wealth."
But if you observe the world with common sense, you'll see—who gives us all of this? Who truly controls us? Nature surrounds us, spanning realms across 30 trillion kilometers in space and beyond. The father of all nine planets, the lord of nature, the giver and taker of life—in front of whom, we are like dust, or perhaps even less.
Because of this power—rains nourish the earth, trees grow, animals thrive, rocks turn into soil, light shines, and we can see.
You don’t need a book to explain this grandeur. Just a little observance, consciousness, and awareness of where you stand, and because of whom you stand, and you’ll see this force right before you, every day.
This is the lord of the solar system—Surya Bhagawan.
"ēșa brahmā ca vișņuśca śivaḥ skandaḥ prajāpatiḥ |
mahēndro dhanadaḥ kālo yamaḥ somo hyapām patiḥ ||"
This means: "This one is Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, and Prajapati (the Lord of creatures). He is also Mahendra (Indra, the King of Gods), Dhanada (Kubera, the Lord of Wealth), Kala (Time), Yama (the God of Death), Soma (the Moon God), and the Lord of the Waters (Varuna)."
These words, spoken by the great sage Agastya to Shri Rama in the Aditya Hridayam, illuminate Surya’s grandeur.
Chhathi Maiya—the sixth among the sixteen sisters of Surya Bhagawan, represents nature itself. She is also known as Devasena, the consort of Skanda or Murugan, the lord who governs Bharat's southern region. This divine union symbolizes the essence that binds us together, even as some forces may try to divide us. Recognizing these connections helps us rediscover unity.
Now, let’s delve into Chhath Puja—its dates, rituals, and deep meanings.
Chhath Puja: An Ancient Festival of Devotion, Purity, and Reverence for Nature
Chhath Puja is a significant festival in Hindu Dharma, celebrated with profound devotion primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. This four-day observance honors the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya (the sixth form of Devi Prakriti, Surya’s sister), embodying gratitude for nature’s bounty. It is held twice annually, in Chaitra (March-April) and Kartika (October-November), with Kartik Chhath being the most prominent.
Origins of Chhath Puja
The festival of Chhath Puja has roots deeply embedded in ancient Indian history, even predating the Vedic texts. In the Rigveda, one of the oldest scriptures of Hindu Dharma, there are hymns worshiping Surya Bhagawan, alongside descriptions of rituals similar to Chhath, hinting that this may be among the earliest forms of solar reverence.
Several legends enrich its historical significance:
The Mahabharata Connection:
In the Mahabharata, Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, worshiped Surya at the guidance of sage Dhaumya. Through this act of devotion, she resolved immediate challenges and helped the Pandavas regain their kingdom, highlighting the Sun God’s blessings as a path to restoration and prosperity.Yogic and Scientific Foundations:
In Vedic traditions, rishis practiced a “Chhath method” to absorb energy directly from the sun, sustaining them without food. This technique of fasting and sun exposure, seen in Chhath Puja’s fasting rituals, symbolizes renewal, both physical and spiritual, through Surya’s life-giving energy.The Tale of Rama and Sita:
According to legend, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed Chhath Puja upon their return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The ritual, held during their coronation in the month of Kartika, spread to Sita’s homeland in Janakpur and neighboring Bihar and Nepal, though it interestingly did not gain similar popularity in Ayodhya.
The Significance of Chhath Puja
Surya Bhagawan represents the ultimate source of life and vitality, while Chhathi Maiya embodies nature’s healing and nurturing aspects. Chhath Puja involves fasting for 36 hours and performing Arghya (water offerings) to the setting and rising sun. Both men and women participate in the fast, expressing deep gratitude, devotion, and a humble request for blessings from Surya Bhagawan and Chhathi Maiya. Observing this festival with purity and discipline, devotees engage in rituals emphasizing simplicity, environmental respect, and self-reflection.
The Rituals and Observances of Chhath Puja
Each day of Chhath Puja is marked by rituals that express spiritual discipline and deep reverence:
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat)
The festival begins with a ritual bath in a holy river, symbolizing cleansing. Devotees then clean their homes and prepare simple offerings, including rice, pulses, and pumpkin. This day sets the tone of purification, marking the start of the journey toward spiritual discipline.Day 2: Kharna (Fast)
On the second day, devotees observe a day-long fast, which they break at sunset with a meal of kheer (rice pudding) and chapati, prepared without salt. After this, they begin a strict 36-hour fast without food or water, embodying devotion and detachment from worldly needs.Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)
On the third day, devotees gather at rivers or ponds, carrying offerings of fruits and prasad, to honor the setting sun. Standing in waist-deep water, they offer Arghya to Surya, acknowledging the end of a life cycle and expressing gratitude for blessings. This ritual is accompanied by folk songs and prayers.Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)
On the final day, devotees gather at the riverbank before dawn to offer prayers to the rising sun, symbolizing renewal. After the prayer, they break their fast with prasad, which they share with family and friends, celebrating unity and gratitude.
Spiritual, Ecological, and Cultural Importance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja extends beyond religious ritual, embracing a holistic respect for nature. Devotees use organic materials in offerings and maintain cleanliness at riverbanks and ghats, embodying ecological awareness. This environmental consciousness reflects a reverence for the planet that sustains all life.
A Living Legacy of Ancient Sun Worship
Surya Bhagawan’s reverence has been central to Hindu Dharma for thousands of years, with profound expressions like the Gayatri Mantra and connections to deities in Shaivism and Vaishnavism. While temples dedicated to Surya may have waned over time, Chhath Puja endures, bringing millions together in celebration of Surya and Chhathi Maiya.
In honoring the Sun, we reconnect with nature and with each other, sharing a deep appreciation for the cosmic energy that sustains us. This ancient festival, blending gratitude, self-discipline, and environmental mindfulness, remains as meaningful today as it was in the Vedic age, a testament to humanity’s timeless bond with the divine forces of nature.
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