Chhath Puja 2024 / What happens on the day of Kharna... When is Chhath Prasad prepared?

Chhath Puja 2024: Chhath Puja fast is considered to be one of the most difficult and ascetic fasts in Hinduism. In this, the vratis (fasters) follow many difficult rules for four days and remain without water for the entire 36 hours. This festival is mainly celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Purvanchal regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, but today this festival is also celebrated with great pomp in other parts of India and abroad. Chhath Puja is celebrated on the Shashthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. In this, Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshiped with special rituals.

This Mahavrat starts with Nahai-Khaai, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and the puja ends by offering Arghya to the rising sun. All these methods performed during Chhath have special significance. It is believed that by performing Chhath Puja, every wish of the devotees is fulfilled, and happiness and prosperity resides in the house and family. Especially women observe this fast for the long life and happy life of their children. This fast is also observed with the wish of getting children, so it is considered to be especially fruitful for women.

Kharna: Special day of Chhath Puja

The second day of Chhath Puja is called "Kharna". On this day, people fasting keep fast for the whole day and after taking bath in the evening, worship Chhathi Maiya with a pure heart. After the puja, prasad of Bakhir (sweet prasad made of jaggery and rice) and roti made of wheat flour is consumed, which is called "Kharna ka Prasad". It is considered Mahaprasad, and after the person fasting, other members of the family, especially children, consume it as prasad. It is believed that Chhath fast is mainly observed for children, so feeding prasad to children has special significance.

Process of making prasad

The prasad of Chhath Puja mainly includes Thekua, Kasar, rice laddus and other special dishes. Although Prasad is not prepared on the day of Kharna, the preparation of these dishes begins on the morning of the first Arghya day. Making the Prasad is the responsibility of the fasting man or woman, and other members of the family assist in this. To make the Prasad, the grains are washed and dried beforehand, so that the Prasad remains completely pure. Special care is taken of cleanliness in making the Prasad and new earthen stoves and brass utensils are used for this work. All the items offered in the Puja, be it flowers or fruits, should be complete and unbroken, because the whole festival is related to purity and cleanliness.

Rule of night rest

People fasting in Chhath Mahaparva, especially women, decide their night rest place from the day of Kharna. They rest at the place of worship or in a designated room of the house. The special thing is that they do not use the bed during this time; rather they sleep on the ground by spreading a mat. This rule is followed to maintain purity and simplicity, which is one of the characteristics of this great fast.

Significance of Sandhya and Usha Arghya

On the third day of Chhath Puja, the devotees offer Arghya to the Sun God at dusk. This Arghya is important because it is a symbol of worship of the Sun God. Ganga, Yamuna, Sarovar, or a pond in the courtyard of the house is used to offer Arghya. The devotees stand in the holy water and offer Arghya to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya with respect. Then the next day, the puja is concluded by offering Arghya to the rising Sun.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja is a unique festival of faith, penance, and family dedication. It not only recognizes the fulfillment of personal desires, but also collectively wishes for the well-being of the family and society. This fast, which is observed for four days with full devotion, not only tests the endurance of the body, but also leads the mind towards purity.