Chhath Puja 2024: Winter is about to begin. A little bit of winter will start from Diwali. The initial cold is called pink cold. The mild fragrance of pink cold feels very pleasant. Chhath Puja starts only after Diwali. The festival of Chhath Puja starts from the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.
The great festival of Chhathi Maiya is celebrated for four days. The main fast of Chhath Puja is observed on Shashthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, when mothers worship Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for the long life, good health and bright future of their children.
During this time, women observe a 36-hour Nirjala fast, which is considered one of the most difficult fasts. Chhath Puja starts with Nahay-Khay on the first day, after which Lohanda and Kharna are celebrated on the second day. On the third day, evening Arghya is offered, and on the fourth day, the fast is broken by offering Arghya to the rising sun, thereby concluding this festival. ,Chhath Puja 2024)
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When is Chhath Puja?
According to the Panchang, Chhath Puja starts with the date of Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. Arghya is offered to the Sun in the evening on Shashthi Tithi. This year, Shashthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha is starting from 12.41 minutes (AM) on 7th November, which will end at 12.34 minutes (AM) on 8th November. According to Udaya Tithi, evening Arghya will be offered to the Sun on 7th November itself.
Calendar Chhath Puja 2024
First day of Chhath Puja 5 November 2024- Nahay Khay
Day 2, 6 November 2024- Kharna
Third day of Chhath Puja, 7 November 2024- Evening Arghya
Fourth day of Chhath Puja, 8 November 2024- Usha Arghya
Importance of Nahay Khay
Chhath Puja starts with Nahay-Khay. As is clear from the name, there is a tradition of taking bath and eating food on this day. Women fasting on the day of Nahay-Khay especially take bath in a river or pond. If it is not possible to take bath in the river, then they can also take bath at their home.
After bathing, the fasting women prepare and consume prasad of bhaat (rice), gram dal, and bottle gourd. This meal is meant only as a preparation for the puja and is an important part of the fast. The importance of this day of Nahay-Khay is very high, because it marks the beginning of the festival of Chhath Puja.
Kharna in Chhath Puja
The second day is called Lohanda or Kharna. This day is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, mothers keep fast throughout the day and after the puja, they start the 36-hour waterless fast by eating Kharna Prasad.
Kharna prasad is specially prepared by lighting fire with mango wood in an earthen stove. On this day, kheer or other prasad made from burning fire of mango wood has special significance. Mothers make their fast even more auspicious by distributing this Prasad with their family members. The day of Kharna is one of the important stages of Chhath Puja, which shows the determination and dedication to endure the hardships of the fast.
third day evening prayer
On the third day in the evening, Arghya is offered to the setting Sun God while standing in a river or pond. Along with this, by placing fruits, sugarcane, rice laddus, thekua and other ingredients in bamboo soup, worship is done while standing in water.
Fourth day Usha Arghya
On the fourth and last day, Arghya is offered to the rising Sun. On this day, devotees break their fast. They also wish for the long life and good future of their children.