CHHATH PUJA

An ancient Hindu festival called Chhath Puja  is thought to have originated on the Indian subcontinent, notably in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, as well as the Nepalese provinces. Prayers are offered to Surya, the solar deity, at Chhath puja to express gratitude for granting life's blessings on earth as well as to make specific requests.

Chhathi Maiya, who is also the sister of Lord Surya and the sixth manifestation of Devi Prakriti, is the patron goddess of the event. On the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November), according to the Hindu calendar, Vikram Samvat is observed six days after Diwali.

Four days are dedicated to the rituals. They include taking a holy bath, going without food and water, standing in water, and making prasad and arghya to the setting and rising sun. Some worshippers march in prostration as they make their way to the river's banks.

According to environmentally friendly religious celebrations in the entire world, The offerings and prasada (religious food) that each devotee makes are similar.

Some stories behind the festival

Both of the great Indian epics RAMAYANA and MAHABHARATA make reference to Chhath.

* * When Ram and Sita returned to Ayodhya in the Ramayana, people celebrated Diwali, and on the seventh day of that fast, Ramrajya was created. Sita conducted Surya Shashithi or Chhath Pooja on this day, during which Rama and Sita kept a fast. Luv and Kush were thus given to her as their sons, which was a blessing.

*  In the Mahabharata, Kunti performed Chhath puja following their escape from Lakshgirah. It's also thought that Kunti's Chhath puja led to the conceptions of Karna, Surya, and Kunti's son. The pujafor the Pandavas to win the Kurukshetra war is also allegedly performed by Draupadi.

* King Priyavrat, the son of First Manu Swayambhu, was exceedingly depressed because he had no children. He received a yagya request from Maharishi Kashyap. He carried out a yagya for a son as instructed by Maharishi. After that, Queen Malini gave birth to a son, but sadly, the child passed away. The monarch and his family were very saddened by this. Then Mata Shashthi Devi appeared in the sky. After the king had prayed, she spoke, introducing herself as Chhathi Maiya, Devi Parvati's sixth appearance. I provide for the safety of every child in the world and bestow the gift of having children on every couple who is childless. The goddess then blessed the child with her hands, bringing life to him. The king worshipped the goddess Shashthi Devi out of deep gratitude for her generosity. It is thought that following this puja, this event spread to other countries.

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