Mahottari, November 15
Devotees are observing Chhath, the major festival rooted in popular faith, by offering prayers to the setting sun this evening.
Devotees observing the fast have remained without food and water since completing the Kharna ritual on Saturday night, the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik. The festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar fortnight.
In the Mithila region, the four-day festival began last Friday with the Nahay-Khay ritual, observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon in Kartik. Kharna, observed on the fifth day, involves fasting throughout the day, preparing rice pudding with jaggery in the evening, offering it to the family deity and consuming it as prasad. Devotees traditionally begin their strict fast after completing this ritual.
The festival involves worshipping the Sun God and his wife, Shashthi, also known as Chhathi Devi. This evening, devotees will make the first offering, known as Arghya, to the setting sun at specially prepared ghats along sacred water bodies. In Mithila, the ritual is called ‘Sajhiya Arakh’ or ‘Sajhiya Ghat’.
Households prepare various traditional sweets, including thekua and bhuswa, for the offerings. Devotees will offer coconuts with their husks, bananas, other fruits and various food items to the Sun God.
After making the evening offerings, devotees traditionally spend the night along the banks of water bodies, singing songs praising Chhathi Devi and the Sun God.
Early on Monday morning, before sunrise, devotees will stand in water up to their waists and wait for the sun to rise. The four-day festival concludes after they offer Arghya to the rising sun. In Mithila, this morning ritual is called ‘Bhor Ka Arakh’ or ‘Paran’.
Many believe that worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Devi fulfils wishes, brings happiness and prosperity, blesses devotees through their children, and provides relief from illnesses.
—RSS
