CHHATH FESTIVAL

The Chhath Festival is basically a big festival in Bihar, but is celebrated with the same devotion in Delhi as well. This festival, which honors the Sun God, is celebrated six days after the festival of Diwali. The Chhath Puja celebrations do not include much ado, but it is a festival of prayer and sacrifice, which was launched in the dark. Through this festival, people express their thanks and seek blessings of natural forces, especially sun and river. It is believed that the prayers of the devotees are always answered during the festival, and at the same time, they are also punished for making an atrocity.

More than festive, festival of Chhat Puja in Delhi is an opportunity for the part of fans, leading to his treatment. For Chath celebrations in New Delhi, several Ghats (dams) are reserved by the river Yamuna in the city. The Puja takes place on these Ghats alone. Performed by both men and women, Puja preparation starts with the end of Diwali. Whole period, is a spartan lifestyle followed. First and foremost, the house is cleaned and family members of the person performing Puja take a holy dip. The whole festival of Chhath, prepared food and less salt totally vegetarian without even onion and garlic. Although the vessels used are mostly earthen oven oven and people sleeping on the floor. 

The person performing Chath Puja noticed a fast from sunrise to sunset and end up eating sweets. Then a second soon found that the continued thirty-six hours, and ends at the entrance to the last day. On the last day of Puja begins on the banks of a river some time before sunrise. People who perform Puja remain in the river water from the late midnight until the time of the first ray of sunlight touching the ground. From that time, devotees start flooding of the river with offers to Sun God. This is followed by the distribution of prashad among the devotees.

CHHATT FESTIVAL:

Chhatt celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand, where more people from these areas migrated to.

The colorful FESTIVAL:

There are many festivals celebrated by Hindus in Bihar and Jharkhand. The Hindu festival of Chhatt are unique to this region. Chhatt is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, and therefore is also known as Surya Shashti. Chhatt celebrated as thanks for the sun to provide the necessities of life on earth, and also to accommodate special requests. 

Chhatt word indicates the number six and thus the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu month Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar, which falls in late October and November.

Beliefs:

It is generally assumed that they want the fans always be given. Even supporters fear punishment for any misdeed in Chhatt. Therefore, the city remains safe and experiences peace during this time when even criminals prefer to behave.

The days Festivity:

Festival Chhatt is marked by celebrations and rituals, which last 4 days.

Day 1:

The devotees bathe in the sacred river Ganges to wash away their sins. They also clean their homes thoroughly.

Day 2:

The devotees observe a fast for the entire day, which is broken in late evening, after performing Puja (worship ceremony) at home. They offer kheer (rice pudding) and fruit for God, and then share it with family and friends.

Day 3:

The day is spent preparing Prasad (offerings) at home. In the evening the devotees go to a riverbank or pond where Prasad offered to the setting sun. The devotees return home to another colorful celebration. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, they place clay elephants containing diyas (earthen oven oven) lamps, and baskets filled with Prasad. Agni (fire god) is worshiped.

Day 4:

On the last day of the festivities the devotees, family and friends go to the riverbank. Prasad offered to the rising sun. The devotees break their fast and Prasad shared with all those people around.

Festivals and rituals:

Chhatt are very happy and colorful festival. All the people dress in their best clothes. Devotional folk songs are sung both at home and on the riverbank. Millions of people gather on the banks of river Ganges in Patna (Capital of Bihar) to celebrate Chhatt. The streets are kept clean by volunteers who also decorate all streets leading to the River. 

The Prasad includes sweets and fruit kept in small baskets made of bamboo.

The food is exclusively vegetarian and it is cooked without salt, onions and garlic. Emphasis on maintaining the purity of food.

When a family begins to exercise Chhatt Puja, it is still every year in the following generations. If unable to perform the Puja itself for personal reasons, it is recommended that you should help one another, performing Puja by providing funds or Prasad instead of completely missing the Puja.

Places of activity:

The sun temples in Aurangabad and Baragaon near Nalanda, actively celebrate Chhatt. During the festival, it is very crowded. All the devotees go to the banks of the river to offer their prayers to the sun god.

Over the years, people from both Bihar and Jharkhand moved to other states and even other countries for education and careers. With them they took along the festival Chhatt so it is now celebrated in many other places.

Marvell Chhatt are some things to experience and enjoy. There are beautiful folk songs sung to Chhatt. It is a pity that most of them are passed down in families, but are not recorded for others to hear and enjoy.

Recently, a few famous singers tried to recreate folk songs. A few examples may be found in 'Chhatt Geet'. Hope you enjoy listening to them and will go out and buy the CD or tape from a reputable dealer.