The festival of Chhath Puja is being observed with religious fervour and devotion across the country, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. On the second day of the four-day festival, devotees will be observing the traditional Kharna ritual today.

 

On the occasion, devotees observe a day-long fast, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken in the evening after offering prayers to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. As part of the rituals, traditional prasad, including jaggery-based kheer and wheat rotis, is prepared with great devotion. The offerings are first presented to the deities, following which devotees consume the prasad and distribute it among family members.

 

Kharna holds special significance as it marks the beginning of the rigorous 36-hour Nirjala Vrat. After performing the evening rituals and consuming the Kharna prasad, devotees embark on this strict fast, abstaining from both food and water. The fast continues until the concluding rituals of the festival. The four-day festival began yesterday with the traditional Nahay-Khay ritual.

 

Tomorrow, on the third day, devotees will gather along riverbanks, ponds and other water bodies to offer prayers and Arghya to the setting Sun. This ritual is known as Sandhya Arghya. The festival will conclude on Monday morning with Usha Arghya, when devotees will offer prayers and water to the rising Sun. This marks the final ritual of Chhath Puja, following which devotees break their nearly 36-hour-long fast.

 

Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, Chhath Puja is among the most significant festivals in Bihar and neighbouring regions. The festival embodies devotion, discipline and gratitude towards nature and the Sun, regarded as the ultimate source of energy and life.