Celebrate Chhath Puja 2024 with heartfelt wishes, quotes, and images. Explore the traditions, rituals, and significance of Chhath Puja dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (a deity related to health, prosperity, and happiness). It is predominantly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and also in Nepal. Observed by fasting and various rituals over four days, Chhath Puja holds immense cultural and spiritual significance.
Top 10 Happy Chhath Puja 2024 Images :
Explore the top 10 Happy Chhath Puja 2024 images, perfect for sharing and celebrating the festival. Find beautiful and unique pictures to wish your loved ones.
Key Rituals and Days of Chhath Puja:
Nahay Khay: The first day, which involves cleansing and purity. Devotees take a dip in a holy river and prepare traditional vegetarian meals, beginning the period of fasting.
Lohanda and Kharna: On the second day, devotees observe a fast that is broken in the evening after performing prayers and offering rice pudding (kheer) and roti. Afterward, they continue a 36-hour fast without water.
Sandhya Arghya: On the third day, devotees gather by a river or pond in the evening to offer "arghya" (offering water) to the setting sun.
Usha Arghya: The final day, devotees offer prayers to the rising sun, concluding the ritual with offerings and breaking the fast.
Cultural Significance:
Devotion and Discipline: Chhath Puja emphasizes self-discipline, devotion, and gratitude. Devotees undertake rigorous fasts, sometimes standing for hours in water to honor Surya, believed to be the source of life and well-being.
Environment and Nature: The festival celebrates nature, including rivers, water bodies, and sunlight. It reinforces respect for the environment and natural resources.
Community and Family: Families come together to celebrate, and people participate in community gatherings at riversides, creating a shared spiritual experience.
Special songs, traditional food offerings like Thekua (a wheat-based sweet), and folk rituals mark the celebration of Chhath Puja, making it a unique festival of devotion and unity.
