Chhath Puja 2024 – Shashthi Puja

Chhath Puja starts every year on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, which lasts for four days. At the moment, mothers worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for the lengthy existence, proper fitness, and brilliant destiny of their kids. This fast is considered to be one of the most difficult fasts. In Chhath Puja, on the first day, Nahai-Khai, on the second day, Lohanda and Kharna, on the third day, Sandhya Arghya and on the fourth day, the fast is broken by offering Arghya to the rising sun. Making Thekua on this day is considered the most auspicious. It is believed that the puja is not complete without it.

Chhath Puja 2024 Date 

Chhath Puja 2024 is on 07 November, Thursday

Chhath Tithi Starts: 07 November, 12:41 AM

Chhath Tithi Ends: 08 November, 12:35 AM

Why Chhath Puja is Celebrated?

Those who observe Chhath Puja fasting observe a waterless fast for about 36 hours. This festival is mainly observed to worship the Sun so that his blessings remain on the entire family. This fast is also observed for the happy future of children. It is believed that by observing Chhath fast, childless people get children and all their wishes are fulfilled. 

Importance Of Four Days Of Chhath Puja

First Day – Nahaye Khaye

The first day of Chhath Puja is called Nahaye Khaye and on this day Chhath Prasad is prepared.

Second Day – Kharna

The second day of Chhath Puja is called Khurana. On this day, mothers keep fast throughout the day and after the puja, they eat jaggery kheer and start a 36-hour Nirjala fast. On this day, rice, milk, and jaggery kheer are prepared by lighting a fire with mango wood in an earthen stove.

Third Day – Chhath Puja Arghya

On the third day of Chhath Puja, in the evening, Arghya is offered to the setting Sun God by going to a river. Along with this, fruits, sugarcane, rice laddus, Thekua, and other items are placed in a bamboo basket and worship is done by standing inside the river or pond.

Fourth Day – Usha Arghya

On the fourth day of Chhath Puja, Arghya is offered to the rising sun. Along with this, a wish is made for the long life of one’s children.

Chhath Puja Vidhi

• On the day of Chhath Puja, wake up in the Brahma Muhurta in the morning take a bath, and then take a pledge to observe Chhath fast. In this sequence, meditate on lord Sun and Chhathi Maiya.

• The fasting person does not have to eat food on the day of Chhath Puja. If possible, keep Nirjala fast and follow it properly.

• Sandhyakali Arghya is performed on the first day of Chhath. In which water is offered to the sunset. In such a situation, reach Chhath Ghat a little before sunset on this day, and after taking a bath there, offer Arghya to the Sun with full devotion.

• The baskets used in Chhath Puja. Keep all the worship materials including fruits, flowers, dishes, etc. properly in it. Along with this, apply vermilion on the basket.

• While offering Arghya to the lord Sun, it is very important to have all the worship materials in the basket. In such a situation, take special care of this.

• Along with this, keep Nirjala fast throughout the day and night and offer water to the rising Sun the next morning. While offering Arghya to the lord Sun, tell him your wish in your mind.

Chhath Puja Story

According to the story, there was a king named Priyavrat. His wife’s name was Malini. Both of them had no children. The king and his wife were very sad about this. One day, with the desire to have a child, they got Putrayeshti Yagya performed by Maharishi Kashyap. As a result of this yagya, the queen became pregnant.

After nine months, when the time came to get the happiness of having a child, the queen got a dead son. The king was sad to know about this. In grief for the child, the king decided to commit suicide. But as the king tried to commit suicide, a beautiful goddess appeared in front of him.

The goddess told the king that I was Shasti Devi. I give the good fortune of a son to people. Apart from this, whoever worships me with true feelings, I fulfill all his wishes. If you worship me, I will give you a son. Impressed by the words of the goddess, the king followed her orders.

The king and his wife worshipped Goddess Shashti on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla with full rituals. As a result of this worship, they were blessed with a beautiful son. Since then, the holy festival of Chhath has been celebrated.

Ram And Sita Worshiped The Sun

According to a belief, after conquering Lanka, on the day of the establishment of Ram Rajya, Lord Ram, and Mata Sita fasted and worshipped the Sun God on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. On Saptami, they again performed the ritual at sunrise and received blessings from Sun God. This tradition is continuing to date.

Karna Started Worshipping The Sun

According to another belief, the Chhath festival started during the Mahabharata period. Suryaputra Karna was the first to start worshipping the Sun God. Karna was an ardent devotee of Lord Sun. He used to stand waist-deep in water for hours every day and offer Arghya to the Sun. It was due to the grace of the Sun that he became a great warrior. Even today this tradition of offering Arghya during Chhath is popular.

Pandavas Got Their Kingdom Back From The Chhath Festival

There is another story about the Chhath festival. According to this, when Pandavas lost their entire kingdom in gambling, Draupadi kept Chhath fast. Her wishes were fulfilled and Pandavas got their kingdom back. According to tradition, the relationship between Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya is that of brother and sister. Therefore, worshipping Surya on the occasion of Chhath is considered fruitful.

Wrapping Up

Some materials are specially required for Chhath Puja. It is believed that the Chhath festival is not complete without these worship materials. The worship materials for Chhath Puja include a bamboo basket, coconut, sugarcane with leaves, rice, vermilion, incense, lamp, plate, lota, new clothes, coconut filled with water, green ginger plant, seasonal fruits, Kalash (clay or brass), kumkum, betel leaf, and betel nut. If you also want to know more about Chhath Puja, then you can take an online astrology consultation.