New Delhi: Chhath is a four-day festival held primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and its neighbouring states a few days after Diwali. This festival, dedicated to Chhati Maiyya, the sister of Surya Dev (according to a particular belief system), is one of the most important festivals in these states.
During Chhath Puja, the Sun God, regarded as the God of energy and life force, is worshipped to promote well-being, prosperity, and progress. According to the traditional Hindu Calendar, Chhath Puja is observed on the Shashti Tithi (sixth day) of the waxing or bright phase of the lunar cycle in the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival begins with Nahay Khay and concludes with Parana. Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya are performed on the third and fourth day, respectively.
Chhath Puja 2022: Date for Lohanda and Kharna
Devotees observe Nirjala vrat from sunrise to sunset on the second day. Only after offering prayers to the Sun God in the evening, the fast is broken. Women prepare sweets, primarily kheer, as prasad on this day.
Date: October 29, 2022
Sunrise: 06:31 AM
Sunset: 05:38 PM
(The sunrise and sunset timings mentioned above are with respect to Delhi, and they may vary in other states.)
Chhath Puja 2022: Closing Rituals
The devotees observe fasting until dusk on the second day. Only after sunset, people can break their fast. They abstain from food and drink before dusk. For the preparation of prasad for Chhathi Maiya and Sun, only pure utensils and earthen stoves are used.
In addition, on this day, after the evening worship, jaggery kheer is prepared on the earthen stove and shared among the household members. This kheer is also consumed by the worshippers themselves.
Chhath Puja 2022: Importance of Kharna
Kharna means purification in terms of religion. Many places also refer to Kharna as Lohanda. Different kinds of offerings, such as Thekua and Puri, are made for Chhath Puja on the day of Kharna.
Women purify themselves and create items to be used for worship on the day of Kharna. They need to meditate on the sixth Maya in order to prepare the offerings for Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja 2022: Significance
It’s interesting to note that idol worship is not a part of this four-day festival. According to devotees, Usha and Pratyusha, wives of the Sun God, are the primary sources of his powers. Therefore, Chhath involves the worship of both deities as well as the Sun.
Also, both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, mention the festival. In the Ramayana, it is said that Sita performed Surya Shashthi or Chhath Puja on the day Ramrajya was founded, whereas in the Mahabharata, Kunti performed the puja on the banks of the Ganga, after the Pandavas had escaped from Lakshagrih.