Chhath Puja: A Celebration of Nature and Subaltern Culture

Chhath Puja is a Hindu celebration that is devoted to the praise of the sun god Surya and his sis Chhathi Maiya, who are thought to be the sources of life, energy and recovery in the world. It is an ancient celebration that has its roots in the past, when our predecessors utilized to carry out routines to thank the sun for sustaining life in the world. Chhath Puja is commemorated 6 days after Diwali, on the 6th day of the lunar month of Kartika (October– November) in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat. It is likewise called Surya Shashthi Vrat, with the word chhat originating from shasthi or the 6th day of the brand-new moon. Chhath Puja is a celebration that commemorates the bond in between people and nature, and the power of faith and determination. The celebration includes different routines over 4 days, such as holy bathing, fasting, standing in water and offering prayers and water to the setting and increasing sun. The enthusiasts likewise prepare and disperse prasad, a spiritual food, made from natural active ingredients such as wheat flour, jaggery, fruits and milk. Chhath Puja is a celebration that goes beyond caste, class and gender barriers, and is open to anybody who wishes to reveal thankfulness and dedication to the sun god and Chhathi Maiya. It is generally observed by the Bahujan neighborhoods of Bihar, who have actually maintained and propagated this celebration for generations. Chhath Puja is a celebration that shows the subaltern culture and identity of these neighborhoods. On Nahay Khay, the very first day, the followers take a holy bath in a river or a pond and clean their homes. They likewise prepare food without salt, onion or garlic and consume just one meal in the day. On the 2nd day, Kharna, the fans observe a quick from dawn to sunset. They break their quick at night after using prayers to the sun and the moon. They consume kheer (rice pudding), puris (deep-fried bread) and fruits. They likewise prepare thekua, a sweet meal made from wheat flour and jaggery, which is the primary prasad (offering) of the celebration. On the 3rd day, Sandhya Arghya, the followers observe a stringent quick without water or food for 36 hours. They dress up in brand-new or tidy clothing and provide arghya (water) to the setting sun at a riverbank or a pond. They likewise light earthen lights and sing folk tunes in appreciation of the sun god and Chhathi Maiya. On the 4th day, Usha Arghya, devotees deal arghya to the increasing sun at the very same location where they provided it to the setting sun. They likewise look for true blessings from the sun god and Chhathi Maiya for the wellness and success of their friends and family. They break their quick by consuming the prasad and consuming the water that was utilized for the arghya. They likewise disperse the prasad to their family members and neighbours. Chhath Puja is thought about to be among the most environmentally friendly Hindu celebrations, as it includes routines that are carried out in natural settings, utilizing natural products and appreciating the environment. Th
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