Chhath (also called Dala Chhath) is an
ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God,
Surya, also known as Surya Shashti.The Chhath Puja is performed in order to
thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain
wishes. The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is
worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and
progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of
diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of
family members, friends, and elders.
The rituals of the festival are rigorous
and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting
and abstaining from drinking water , standing in water for long periods of
time, and offering prashad and aragh to
the setting and rising sun.
Although it is observed most
elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal in
modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas
have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in
India and nepal. On this day rani pokhari is decorated well in Kathmandu too.The
festival is celebrated in the regions including but not exclusive to the
northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Chandigarh, Gujarat,Delhi, Mumbai and Mauritius.
