Chhath Puja 2016 : Read the legend behind the mahaparva

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival and celebrated every year with full elation in Northern states of India.

The grand Chhath Puja pays reverence to Sun God for sustaining life and energy on earth. In this festival of penance and prayers, people worship the rising sun and setting, symbolic of death and rebirth. Chhath Puja is deemed as the festival of compassion and forgiveness.

It is believed that by worshipping the sun during Chhath, worshippers are bestowed with prosperity, progress and well-being. It is also said to cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and elders.

Chhath is also known as ‘Suryasasthi’ because it is observed after the six days of Deepawali. It is observed by people for a period of four days. The rituals connected with Chhath Puja include fasting, holy bathing, and abstaining from even having food and drinking water.

Chhath Puja Legends

Chhath Puja is immersed deeply into several folklores and these myths speak clearly about this festival. Rigveda describes some traditions that are akin to the customs of Chhath Puja. The great epic Mahabharata also showcases descriptions of Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas observing same rituals suggested by sage Dhaumya to get back the lost empire of Pandavas. A myth also mentions that Chhath Puja was started by Karna to please his father Sun God. As per Hindu legends, it is also believed that rishis used to perform this holy Puja to get energy from sun directly rather than other sources.

Shakya Dwipi Brahmins

The mythological connections to this festivity are many. This puja was first done by the Shakya Dwipi Brahmins; this is why it is still celebrated in areas that are dominated by them.

Rig Veda

In the Rig Veda there is a detailed procedure mentioned on this festival. The rishis would follow this festival very closely. They would worship sun god and stop taking any external food stating that they will get the energy directly from the lord of Sun. They would fast for days and after doing the puja they would break the fast. Slowly it became a major festival for the common man as it is today.