Worship of Sun god (Chhath Puja/छठ पुजा )

Worship of Sun god(Chhath Puja/छठ पुजा )

छठ पर्वको पहिलो दिन अरबे अर्बायिन  अथवा  नुहाएर सफा सुग्घर एवं नुन रहित खाने दिन हो। 
दोश्रो दिनलाई"खर्ना" भनिन्छ।
तेश्रो दिनलाई "सँझिया अर्घ्य" छठ भनिन्छ किनभने कार्तिक शुक्ल चतुर्थीबाट शुरुभएको यो पर्वको तेश्रो दिन छठ अर्थात षष्ठी हो। 
अनि अन्तिम दिनलाई "विहनीया अर्घ्य" पारण भनिन्छ ।

worshiping Sun Set ( evening puja)

worshiping Rising Sun (Morning Puja)

THE SUN WORSHIP FESTIVAL (CHHATH) Sun god (Chhath Puja) is a festival of reverence to the solar deity, the only festival in the world where devotees offer salutations to the setting and rising Sun. Chhath puja is performed on Kartik Shukla Shashti i.e. the 6th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu Calendar, exactly 6 days after Deepawali. This falls around the month of October-November as per the Gregorian calendar. A week after Diwali, the festival of lights, comes the festival Chhath. For one night and day, the people practically live on the banks of a river or any other water body in the neighbourhood where a ritual offering is made to the Sun god. The word Chhath denotes the number six and thus the name itself serves as a reminder of this auspicious day on the festival almanac. The venue for this unique festival is the riverbank and ponds the country side of eastern terai region especially province no. 1 & 2. and Outside the country  Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal in India  like a lifeline, it is but appropriate that the banks of this river should be the ideal prayer location. Chhath is considered a means to thank the Sun for bestowing the bounties of life on earth as also for fulfilling particular wishes. Chhath is a Hindu festival but many Muslim families also participate in this holy festival in certain places. 

With no temples to visit, or house to spruce up before the festival, one would conclude that Chhath Puja would be an easy sail through. However, for this Puja, things are anything but easy and the ritual observances of this occasion.

The celebrations of the days are as follows: on the day before the actual worship, devotees take a cleansing dip, preferably in the Ganges, and bring back some holy water to prepare the offerings. A fast is observed for the whole day and late in the evening, the devotees, after performing worship at home, break their fast. The offerings – typically a rice porridge, Sohari/puris (deep fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas – are shared among family and visiting friends and relatives. On the second day, the 36-hour fast begins. The day is spent in the preparation of offerings at home and in the evening, the devotees move to a riverbank, a pond or any water body. There, offerings are made to the setting Sun. Chhath is the only festival when the setting sun as opposed to its rising is worshipped indicating regard and respect for an entity or persona on the rise or decline, although, as a matter of fact, the Sun after setting in one part of the earth rises in the other one; globally, therefore, it never sets. Our earth belongs to the solar family scientifically and figuratively. Life on our planet depends on the Sun, seasons as well as day and night all regulated by it. Ever since the dawn of civilization man has been invoking the forces of nature, seeking their blessings to overcome ordeals and revering them as gods.  

 " Sun became god ‘Ra’ of the ancient Egyptians of the age of Pyramids."
"Similarly the Japanese worship Sun according to the injunctions of Shinto religion."

At nightfall, the devotees return home where another colourful celebration takes place. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, clay elephants containing earthen lamps and containers full of the offerings are placed. Devotees maintain a strict fast without even water. Just before sunrise, the devotees reach the riverbank again and offer prayers to the rising Sun. Once the prayers are done, the devotees break their fast with the Prasad or the offerings. After that, the Prasad is distributed among family, friends and anyone who People performing Puja on Chhath: Various interpretations exist of the word ‘Puja,’ including worship with offerings, especially of flowers, and ritual anointment with sandalwood paste. Puja is the combination of the Sanskrit words for sin and birth 2 3 asks for it. The offerings characteristically consist of deep-fried and sweet rolls of stone ground wheat flour, grapefruit, whole coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils. During the Puja, these items are contained in small, semicircular pans woven out of bamboo strips called Soop. Chhath is a festival of prayer and purity observed with somberness and strict discipline, a festival that should not be missed. It is held in high esteem and regard. Chhath is a very colourful festival and new clothes are a must for the devotees. There is much music and a lot of singing of folk and devotional songs, both at home and on the riverbank.

Chhath is the festival of truth, nonviolence, forgiveness and compassion. It is dedicated to Sun god. 

 People pray to Sun god for their well being. It is believed that people get their wishes fulfilled, if they observe Chhath Puja. There is a popular belief that worshipping Surya will help in curing diseases like leprosy and also ensure longevity and prosperity of the family.