The festival of Chhath is one of the sacred Hindu festivals celebrated mostly in the Terai region of Southern Nepal (also in India). Over the years, this celebration has drawn many Hindus from various parts of Nepal who had never before celebrated but have now embraced the custom. It could be due to the Terai migrants’ influence.

Surya Shasthi, Chhathi and Dala Chhath are all names for the same thing. By honoring the Sun God‘s eternal vitality, it is honored for the family’s good health and wealth. They revere the Sun as the source of all strength, energy, and life-force in their prayers. The family is not supposed to stop celebrating the festival once they begin, until someone in the family dies. They will never be able to attend the festival again if it is discontinued for any other reason. As a result, it is a family celebration, which promotes community solidarity and culture transfer to future generations.

According to the Hindu calendar, the Chhath celebration takes place on Shasthi, the sixth day of Kartik Shukla Pakcha, the brilliant Lunar fortnight of the Nepali month Kartik (October/November). The festival takes place over four days. The rites take place on Ghats (riverbanks), however these Ghats might also be pond banks. Devotees offer prayers to the Sun God twice a day, at Sunrise and Sunset. Both of these prayers are known as Arghya (offering). The morning prayer is for the health and prosperity of the family, and the evening prayer is to thank the Sun God.

 

Chatta Offerings:     

The Ghats are where all of the significant rituals take place. Before making Prasad, the food offerings for the ritual, devotees must take a holy plunge in the river. During Chhat Puja, a vast variety of offerings are provided, some of which are made exclusively for this festival. Thekuwa, a wheat flour cookie with extra assortments like kismish, is one of the most important Prasads of Chhata Puja (raisin),sukkha nariwol (desiccated coconut), gudh (jaggery) or chini (sugar) and ghee or oil. Other offerings include ‘Suthune’(a kind of tuber fruit), ukhu ra paat (sugarcane with leaves), Sathi Dhan (black paddy), Nimbu (lemon), Gajal (a variety of big lemons), Syau (apple), Suntala (orange), Elaichi (cardamom), Hareyo aduwa (green ginger), Nariwol (coconut), Kera (banana), Gheu (ghee) and many more. All the family members are delighted while cooking and collecting prasad. One could also see Gulgule (sweet pudding) and Puri (deep-fried chapati) prepared at the eateries and street food vendors during the festival time

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The Origins of Chhath Puja

A long time ago, a king named Priyabrat and his wife, Queen Malini, lived happily. They then became depressed and unhappy since Malini was unable to bear children. They discussed their issues and sought advice from eminent Rishismunis (learned saints). The couple then prepared a large Yagya(a fire offering ritual), following the advice of Maharishi Kashyap (the greatest Saint) . Finally, the couple’s prayers were fulfilled, and the queen became pregnant, but she gave birth to a dead kid, much to their dismay.

The distraught king considered killing himself. The Goddess Shashti/Chhathi Maiya then came in front of him and told him that she was the sixth half of the cosmos, and that if the king worshiped her for six days with a pure mind and soul, their wish would be accomplished. Following Goddess Shashti‘s instructions, the king and queen were blessed with a baby boy after six days of worshiping the Goddess.

Chhath Parva is a prominent Terai celebration observed by people from all walks of life, not just the Madhesi comminuty.