Udaipur : Although the festival of Chhath is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand. But with time the people living here did not give up their festivals and their culture. In Udaipur too, people living in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh celebrated Chhath Puja with great enthusiasm. The first day of Chhath Puja was celebrated in the form of Nahay Khay on 5 November 2024.
Chhath festival lasts for four days
The first day of Chhath festival starts with Nahay Khay. Women woke up early in the morning and cleaned the house. After this, after taking bath etc., they resolved to fast on Chhath. On this day, women and men purify their mind by eating one meal. From this day onwards, great care is taken of cleanliness in the house. On this day, rice, pumpkin or gourd vegetable and gram dal are prepared in homes. A four-day Chhath Mahotsav is organized. Kharna on the second day which will be celebrated on 6 November 2024. On the third day, evening Arghya on 7th November 2024, the festival ends with offering Arghya to the rising sun in the morning on the fourth day, 8th November.
Keep a waterless fast for 36 hours during Chhath Puja.
In Udaipur, Chhath Puja is mainly performed on the banks of Fateh Sagar and Govardhan Sagar. A large number of people gather here and offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun. Chhath Puja also has importance in astrology. This time there is Kumar Yoga on the first day and Dugdha Yoga on the second day. Keep a waterless fast for 36 hours during Chhath Puja. Women fast for the health, success and longevity of their children. In Skanda Purana, Chhath Maiya has been called Goddess Katyayani.
Kharna means purification
In the evening on the day of Kharna, fasting women break their day long fast by making prasad of jaggery kheer and after performing puja. Then this Prasad is distributed among everyone. After receiving the Prasad, the 36-hour waterless fast of the devotees begins. It is considered auspicious to use new earthen stove and mango wood for making Prasad. Chhath Prasad is said to have special glory. Chhath Prasad is prepared with great care. Chhath Prasad includes sweet dishes like jaggery kheer and thekua (made from flour, milk and ghee). Sweets, lemon, sugarcane and banana are definitely offered as Prasad.
