Chhath Puja 2017: Muhurat Timings, Puja Vidhi, Significance and Feast

Festivity is in the air and so is the next big festival, Chhath Puja. Chhath Puja or Chhath Parva is observed in Northern India, especially in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The festival is devoted to the Sun God or god of energy, Surya Shasthi or Dala Chhath and Chhath Maiya. It is observed to thank Surya Devta for his protections and seek his blessings, good health and happiness. Chhath refers to the sixth day in Bhojpuri language and the festival is celebrated on the sixth day in the month of Kartik of the Hindu lunar Bikram Sambat Calendar. This year, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 24th October to 27th October 2017. The main puja will be observed on 26th October, 2017.
 

Chhath Puja 2017: Muhurat Timings and Chhath Pooja Tithi

 

Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day - 06:41 am

Sunset on Chhath Puja Day - 18:05 pm

​Shashthi Tithi Begins - 09:37am on 25th October, 2017

Shashthi Tithi Ends - 12:15 pm on 26th October, 2017

 

Chhath Puja 2017: History and Significance of the Festival

 

It is believed that Draupadi and the Pandavas performed the Chhath puja as advised by noble sage Dhaumya. As she worshipped the Sun god, Draupadi she saw all her problems vanishing and the Pandavas were also able to regain their lost kingdom. Another story that revolves around the Chhath Puja is that when Lord Ram and Sita were returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, Sita had observed a fast and performed a puja for the Sun god in the month of Kartik in Shukla Paksha. From that time onwards, Chhath puja became a significant festival in the Hindu religion.

(Also read: Chhath Puja: 10 Things You Should Know About this Festival)

How is Chhath Puja Celebrated?

 

Chhath Puja is celebrated for four days and the rituals vary each day. On the first day, the devotees take a dip in the Holy Ganges early in the morning and bring some holy water along to prepare offerings. The house and surroundings are cleaned properly. Devotees consume one meal and observe a fast throughout the day.

On the second day, the day before Chhath, devotees observe a fast for the whole day which ends in the evening after sunset. Before breaking their fast, devotes pray to the sun and the moon, and offer kheer, chappatis and bananas to their family and friends as prasad. Also, Chhath puja songs are sung with devotion. 

On the third day, devotees along with their family members go to the river bank and offer prasad to the setting sun. People pray for their happiness and prosperity and folk songs are sung in order to make this day memorable and lively.

On the fourth day, devotees head to the river bank before the sun rises and make offerings to the rising sun. Those who are fasting break their fast and feast on the prasad along with their friends and family.
 

Chhath Puja 2017: Prasad Prepared During the Festival

 

Along with making Chhath puja special with the Chhath puja song, devotees make the special pras in order to make the days memorable. The prasad consists of sweets that include Kheer, thekua, laddoo made of rice grit and fruits like sugarcane, sweet lime and banana. The food prepared during this festival is pure vegetarian and is cooked without the use of salt, onion and garlic.
 

 

Happy Chhath Puja!