Hi,friends, this is the third day of the A to Z challenge. In the series of Festivals of India, I present an amazing festival of Bihar and Jharkhand, called Bihu.
Chhath
Puja is a very important festival of
Bihar and Jharkhand
which is celebrated with
great enthusiasm It is
celebrated with the same spirit in places where people
from
this region have settled down, especially in Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai Mauritius,
Fizi Island,
Trinidad, Tobago,Guyana,Surinam and Jamaica.The festival is dedicated to Sun
God. People worship the Sun and thank Him for all His mercies and for the well being
their near and dear ones. The festival falls on sixth day after Diwali.The rituals of this
festival are rigorous. They last for three days. During these days vratta(fast) is
observed. On one of these days even drinking of water is also prohibited. The
devotees stand in a river for a long time, Holy bath is taken and Prasad is offered to
Sun God, who is the God of energy and life force and can cure all diseases.
God. People worship the Sun and thank Him for all His mercies and for the well being
their near and dear ones. The festival falls on sixth day after Diwali.The rituals of this
festival are rigorous. They last for three days. During these days vratta(fast) is
observed. On one of these days even drinking of water is also prohibited. The
devotees stand in a river for a long time, Holy bath is taken and Prasad is offered to
Sun God, who is the God of energy and life force and can cure all diseases.
.
There are many stories
associated with the origin of this festival. The kings invited
the
purohits for their expertise in Sun worship.It was on their advice that Sun worship
began. The most popular story associated with the festival is from an incident taken
from Mahabharata. The story goes that when Draupadi observed Chhath Puja, it
purohits for their expertise in Sun worship.It was on their advice that Sun worship
began. The most popular story associated with the festival is from an incident taken
from Mahabharata. The story goes that when Draupadi observed Chhath Puja, it
resulted in Pandavas getting back their
kingdom. Another folk lore states that
Karna, son of Surya (Sun) started the tradition of Chhath Puja. The photographs
given below give a glimpse of the holy festival.
Karna, son of Surya (Sun) started the tradition of Chhath Puja. The photographs
given below give a glimpse of the holy festival.
The
main worshipers are women. They pray for the prosperity, good health, well being of the family and their off springs. Men do not observe this fast. They
accompany the women. If once a family starts observing the puja, it cannot be left. They have to pass it on to the
next generation.
293words
pics courtesy google
video courtesy you tube
A nice account of Chhath puja.... have seen it in Patna:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Rahul. Even in Delhi, we find a large number of people from Bihar and Jharkhand celebrating this festival.
DeleteTotally new to me !! Lovely, Ma'm...thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sreeja. Here this festival is widely celebrated.
DeleteAnother nice account of a different festival in India...I'm loving it :)
ReplyDeleteRandom Thoughts Naba
Thank you Naba.Tomorrow I'll be writing about Deepawali.
DeleteInteresting Usha, tks our country abounds in colourful myth-origin festivals isnt it and that makes life much more rich. A student of mine from Jharkhand told me about this last year :)
ReplyDeleteYes Sunila, most of our festivals are based on legends. They depict the rich culture of our country and are a fine example of Unity in Diversity.
DeleteSo nice that you are taking us on "festival" tour of India :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Beloo. You have to bear with me 27 more festivals
DeleteInformative and nice :) :)
ReplyDelete~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
Thank you Stri. Glad you liked it.
DeleteI think I've seen the women going in a procession with pots of their heads. The toughest part is the fasting - without water - how tough would that be in a weather like this.
ReplyDeleteYes Tulika, they have to be without water for 32 hours.Must be really tough.
DeleteOh I am bookmarking this for my daughter :) She is at the age when she asks questions about significance of rituals and that Draupadi bit will attract her for sure :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shailaja. Children are very inquisitive. Very sweet. Hugs to her. What is her name?
DeleteFascinating and informative! ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. ,Dear.
DeleteAm getting onto this festival tour...Very informative with the background details. Thanks for sharing this...Will look for more.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayanta. This is only a start. You have to tolerate 27 more.
Delete:-) Didn't know about this! Thank you Mrs.Usha!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vidya.I hope you liked it.
Deletethat was a nice description....and very informative...
ReplyDeleteThank you Titli.
DeleteLalu would be happy to read this post
ReplyDeleteThank you BK. I think I should send a copy to him.What say thou?
DeleteThat's a lovely one, Ma'am. Our family has settled in Mauritius and Mom often perform Chhath Puja.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vishal. Best wishes to your Mom.
DeleteThanks a ton, Ma'am:)
DeleteAnother festival I didn't know of!! Am realising how little I know about our Indian festivals!!
ReplyDeleteSwathi
Thank you Swathi.I am also learning so many new things from the blogs of my friends.
DeleteNever knew all these details, very informative Ushaji :) In fact it was when Rabri Devi's celebration made news headlines, that I first heard of this festival.
ReplyDeleteThank you Reshma. In Delhi politicians woo people from all states. All festivals are celebrated here.
DeleteDidnt know much about Chhath Puja, only that my maids take leave on this day and celebrate it with great faith and fervor :)
ReplyDeleteYes Shilpa maids are very enthusiastic.
Delete