Chhath Puja Celebrations in Bihar
Lalu Yadav’s Message
On the occasion of Chhath Puja, Lalu Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), shared his wishes for the festival. He emphasized the importance of Chhath, a festival dedicated to the Sun God, celebrated by many on the banks of the Ganga River.
Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a major festival in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu calendar, and also during Chaitra in some areas. The festival involves worshipping the setting sun, with families gathering at water bodies to offer fruits, sweets, and thekua as prasad to Lord Surya.
Rituals and Celebrations
The festival spans four days, starting with Nahay-Khay, followed by Kharna, Chhath Puja, and concluding with Usha Arghya. It involves strict rituals and fasting to thank the Sun God for sustaining life. Chhath Puja is also known as Chaiti Chhath in some regions and Yamuna Chhath in the Braj area.
Widespread Observance
Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by people from these regions living elsewhere.
Doubts Revealed
Lalu Yadav -: Lalu Yadav is a well-known Indian politician and the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a political party in Bihar. He has been a significant figure in Indian politics for many years.
Chhath Puja -: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to worshipping the Sun God. It is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and involves offering prayers and food to the setting and rising sun.
Rashtriya Janata Dal -: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is a political party in India, primarily based in the state of Bihar. It was founded by Lalu Yadav and focuses on social justice and equality.
Nahay-Khay -: Nahay-Khay is the first day of the Chhath Puja festival. On this day, devotees take a holy bath and prepare simple vegetarian food to start the rituals.
Usha Arghya -: Usha Arghya is the final day of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees offer prayers and water to the rising sun, marking the end of the festival.
Thekua -: Thekua is a traditional sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, often prepared during Chhath Puja. It is offered to the Sun God as part of the rituals.
Chaiti Chhath -: Chaiti Chhath is another name for Chhath Puja, celebrated during the Chaitra month in the Hindu calendar. It is similar to the main Chhath Puja but occurs at a different time of the year.
Yamuna Chhath -: Yamuna Chhath is a variation of Chhath Puja celebrated near the Yamuna River. It involves similar rituals and offerings to the Sun God.