Chhath Puja Vrat: Expert Shares Fasting Rituals And Rules

Chhath Puja is an important festival celebrated with fervour by people in Bihar and Jharkhand. Women observe difficult fasts on this day and pray for the success, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands and kids. Though mostly famous in Bihar, people in the nearby states also celebrate this festival and worship Chhath Mata. 

Devotees believe that if a woman observes this fast with complete faith and devotion, she will prosper in life. The celebration of the festival will begin on November 17, 2023, and it will continue till November 19, 2023, until the sun sets at 5.26 pm. On November 20, 2023, the fourth day of Chhath is observed as Usha Argha, when devotees offer water to the rising sun and break their fast. 

We spoke to astrologer Dr Aarti Dahiya about rituals and rules of fasting and prayers during Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja Samagri

For Chhath Puja, you need the following things to ensure you perform all the rituals and offer the right things to Gods and Goddesses. The list includes,

• Incense sticks
• Milk
• Water
• Jaggery
• Water jug
• Plate
• Rice
• Diya
• Sindoor
• 2 Bamboo baskets
• New clothes
• Coconut filled with liquid
• Bamboo or sugarcane sticks
• Sandalwood
• Pear
• Turmeric
• Areca nut (supari)
• Ginger plant
• Red vermilion powder

Chhath Puja Vrat Rules And Rituals

During this festival, many women fast for a couple of days and abstain from drinking or eating anything. Here is a guide for rules and rituals for the fast,

• On the first day of Chhath Puja, you should wake up early, shower, and tell God and Goddess that you will be fasting for the occasion.
• Do not eat or drink anything until you break the fast.
• On the first day, you should visit a river bank to offer water to the setting sun using a bamboo basket.
• Add essentials like sindoor, turmeric, fruits, flowers, etc. in these baskets. 
• Keep sweets like malpua or thekua in the basket.
• Break the fast the next morning after offering water to the rising sun. 

Chhath Puja Mythological Story

If you are celebrating Chhath Puja, read a few mythological tales that talk about how the festival was born.

Karna Started The Festival During Mahabharata

It is believed that Karna started the tradition of offering water to the Sun God. He was the most charitable human being who used to offer water to the rising Sun, who was also his father. 

Many scriptures also point to Mata Kunti and Queen Draupadi observing fast and breaking it by offering water to the sun. Many believe that after Draupadi performed the Chhath Puja, the Pandavas got their kingdom back and prospered in life 

Story Of Devsena And Priyamvad

Many old Vedic texts narrate a tale of King Priyamvad, who had no kids. Maharishi Kashyap organised a huge yagna and asked the queen to eat the kheer that was offered to the Gods when the yagna was over.

Soon the king and queen were blessed with a son. Unfortunately, he had a stillbirth. The king could not bear the loss and broke down at the cremation ground. At the same time, Goddess Devsena appeared before him and asked him to worship her and inspire others to do the same. 

Since the king wanted a son, he did as directed by the Goddess. The day he observed fast is believed to be the same day, when we celebrate Chhath Puja. 

Happy Chhath Puja to all celebrating this auspicious day. May you prosper and live a healthy life.