Chhath Puja 2017 | Day 3: All you need to know about Sandhya Arghya

Chhath Puja is one of those much famous festivals which will carry out the fervour and passion of festivity in some of the North Indian states.

It is generally performed to thank Lord Surya and Chhati Maiyya (Usha, Lord Surya's wife), for sustaining life on earth and to request for granting certain wishes.

Chhath means sixth because it falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika (October/November) or simply on the sixth day after Diwali. God Surya is worshiped very passionately for the well being of their family and near and dear ones.

Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and some parts of Nepal.This year Chhath Puja begins on 24th October and will continue till 27th October. October 26 is the third day of the Chhath Puja 2017.

Sandhya Arghya

On the early morning, devotees along with their family and friends offer Bihaniya Aragh at the ghat of riverbank of Ganga or any other holy water body.

The devotees gather at the bank of the river with their family and friends to offer bhorwa arghya to the rising Sun.Devotees also worship Chatti Maiyya, distribute thekua and then return home.

The people who were fasting break the fast by taking the blessings of the elders and then eating ginger with water.The other Prasad prepared are then consumed by them.This is the most important part of the ritual.

During the festival, the female folks spend their night by singing traditional Chhath songs.There is also a tradition of “Dandwat Pranam” during Chhath Puja.

People who have wished or wish to succeed in something, take an oath to go to the Chhath Ghat by lying and saluting on the ground in simple cloth.

With the help of a “Kanda” a type of stick easily found in the locality or in fields, the devotee draws a round line by lying on the ground with the help of stomach and stretching both hands in “Pranaam Mudra”. After arriving on the Ghat after “Dand” the devotee takes a bath in the holy river and worships Chatti Maiyya.