Why Chhath Mahaparva is celebrated, what is the history behind it?

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Chhath Mahaparva

Diwali, the biggest festival of Hindus, is considered to be the garland of festivals. This festival which lasts for five days is not limited to Bhaiyadooj but this festival lasts till Chhath Puja. This festival celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and especially in Bihar is very special in itself. It is celebrated all over the country. Chhath pooja lasts for four days. Chhath Puja dedicated to the adoration of Surya Dev and wishing a happy life to the child takes place on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha of the month of Ratik every year. This year Chhath Puja is on 20th November i.e. Friday.

Chhath Puja begins with Nahaya Khai on Chaturthi Tithi two days before, then Lohanda and Kharna on Panchami. After that Chhath Puja is performed on Shashthi Tithi, in which evening Arghya is offered to Surya Dev. Then on the next day on the seventh day at sunrise the rising sun is mourned and then the fast is completed by passing. This festival has a historical significance of its own, from Nahaya-khaya to Arghya to the rising Lord Surya.

Chhath Mahaparva

King Priyanvad had no children
There are many historical stories behind how the Chhath festival started. In Purana, the story behind Chhath Puja is about King Priyanvad. It is said that King Priyanvad had no children. Then Maharshi Kashyap performed Yajna for the attainment of a son and gave Kheer made for sacrifice to Priyamvad’s wife Malini. She gave birth to a son but he was born dead. Priyanvada took his son to the crematorium and the son began to die in bereavement. At the same time Devasena, the daughter of the mind of God, appeared and told the king that because she originated from the sixth part of the original instinct of creation, that is why she is called Shashthi He asked the king to worship him and inspire others to worship him.

Sita ji worshiped Suryadev for 6 days
King Priyanvada fasted for Goddess Shashthi due to desire for a son and he got a son. It is said that this pooja was performed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and since then Chhath pooja is performed. Apart from this story, a story is also associated with Ram-Sita ji. According to the mythology, when Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, they decided to perform Rajasurya Yajna on the orders of sages to get rid of the sin of slaying Ravana. He invited the sage Mugdal for worship. The sage Mugdal sprinkled Ganga water on mother Sita and sanctified her and ordered to worship Suryadev on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. At that time Sita ji stayed in the ashram of Mugdal sage and worshiped Lord Suryadev for 6 days.

Draupadi also fasted Chhath
According to another belief, Chhath festival started in the Mahabharata period. It was first started by Suryaputra Karna by worshiping the sun. Lord Karna was the ultimate devotee of the sun and he used to stand in the water up to his waist for hours every day and mourn the sun. Only by the grace of the sun did he become a great warrior. The same tradition of Arghya Dan is prevalent in Chhath even today. There is another legend about Chhath festival. According to this story, when the Pandavas lost all their Rajpaths in gambling, Draupadi had observed Chhath fast. With this fast their wish was fulfilled and the Pandavas got their Rajpath back. According to folk tradition, Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya are related to siblings. Therefore, worship of the sun on the occasion of Chhath is considered fruitful.

Chhath Puja 2020

The first day – take a bath
Chhath Puja begins on the date of Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. This is the first day of Chhath Puja, on this day Nahaya Khai is eaten. This year Nahay-Khay is on November 18 (Wednesday). On this day sunrise will be at 06:46 in the morning and sunset will be at 05:26 in the evening.

Day 2 – Lohanda and Kharna
Lohanda and Kharna are the second day of Chhath Puja. This happens on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. This year Lohanda and Kharna is on Thursday 19th November. On this day sunrise will be at 06:47 in the morning and sunset will be at 05:26 in the evening.

Day 3 – Chhath Puja (Sandhya Arghya)
The main day of Chhath Puja is on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik. Chhath pooja is performed on this day only. On this day, the sun is mourned in the evening. This year, Chhath Puja is on November 20. On this day sunrise will be at 06:48 and sunset will be at 05:26. The sixth date for Chhath Puja is starting from 09:59 pm on November 19, which is till 09:29 pm on November 20.

Day 4 – Sunrise Arghya (Passage Day)
The last day of Chhath Puja is the seventh date of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, at sunrise, Arghya is offered to Surya Dev. After that the fast is completed by passing. This year the sunrise of Chhath Puja will be on Arghya and Paran on November 21. On this day sunrise will be at 06:49 in the morning and sunset will be at 05:25 in the evening.

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