Chhath Puja – When and How to Perform?

Many individuals are perplexed to understand why at the event of Chhath or Surya Shashti Vrat, Goddess Chhath (Chhathi Maiya) is honored alongside the Sun God. Do the Puranas acknowledge the Goddess?

India has many ethnicities, festivals, and cultures, each of which is distinctive and interesting in its own right. The Chhath Puja celebrations in our nation are performed with great zest and zeal. Since individuals from the region have migrated across the globe, Chhath is now observed not just in Bihar. Even so, many individuals are not familiar with the essential facts about this ritual; or festival. So, check this guide for details of the festival and its rituals.

E-puja services, astrology services, professional pandit scheduling for over 400+ yajnas and pujas, photography services, floral services, catering, and other services are all provided by SmartPuja, an online business. You can reach our professionals at 080-61160400 to learn more about the Chhath festival.

Our specialists offer details on the origins and customs of Chatti Pija and the most effective ways to plan the festival.

How to perform Chatti/Shashthi Puja?

Among the prime aspects of a culturally particular event becoming a national holiday is Chhath Puja, which starts on Chaturthi following Diwali and finishes on Shukla paksha’s Shashti of Kartika maas.

This four-day celebration includes honoring the “Chhathi Maiya,” and Sun God and is observed by both women and men to ensure the prosperity and health of their kids and families. Individuals who participate in this celebration conduct a 36 hour nirjala fast, beginning in Kharna, before having a holy water dip in the Ganges and making sacrifices to the Sun at ghats and along the river banks.

History of Chatti or Chhath Puja

Chhati Maiya is a manifestation of Devi Katyayni, among the incarnations of goddess Durga that is revered on the Navratri’s. In local slang, Chhathi Maiya is the name given to Shashti Devi. The Devi, also known as Brahma’s Manasputri, is reputed to bestow offspring upon barren people. Individuals still perform Shashti Pooja or Chhath Pooja on the sixth day following a baby’s birth across most of the nation.

The Goddess is honored on Shashti in Navratri and is known by the name in the Puranas as Katyayni. According to Brahma Vaivarta Purana’s “nature” chapter, the Nature Goddess’s most important component is Devasena.

The Shvetashvatara Upanishad states that to build the universe, God split the self into two pieces. The “left” side created “nature,” and the “right” portion created “man.”

The portion of himself that he split into females formed mother nature, who then split herself into six sections, the final of which was brimming with a maternal affection for all creatures and was named “Shashti” or “Chhathi” as a result. This goddess’ most well-known moniker is Shashti because she represents the sixth element of nature. The Purana claims that Shashti lives long lives for the children and protects them.

Origin of the Festival

Chhath Puja dates back to the early Vedic era when yogis performed the puja using Rigvedic mantras while fasting for days. It is said that Karna, Lord Surya’s son and the ruler of Anga Desh, or modern-day Bihar’s Bhagalpur, also performed Chhath Puja.

Story of Devasena 

Kartik, also known as Murugan, the leader of the Devas’ army and Shiva’s son, is married to Devasena. The Mahabharata has the tale of Devasena. She is also referred to as Devayani and Jayanti. The Prajapati’s daughter was Devasena.

Demon King Keshin kidnapped her and her sister Daityasena. Daityasena consented to participate in the demon king’s plans. Devasena didn’t give up, though. Because she was his mother’s sister’s daughter, she was saved by King Indra and given protection. Then, Indra introduced her to Kartik, a capable and appropriate spouse. It should be noticed that Devasena is referred to as Indra’s daughter in several Puranas.

Chhath Puja Story 

King Priyamvad never had kids. Upon conducting a yajna to obtain a son, Maharishi Kashyap offered Malini, Priyamvad’s wife, the kheer made for the yajna sacrifice. A child was born from this, although he died at birth. When Priyamvad and his son arrived at the cremation, the boy began to give his existence in self-sacrifice. I am named Shashthi because I was developed from the sixth portion of the universe’s primordial propensity, according to Devsena, a manifestation of God’s Manas. Rajan, you show people how to adore me by doing so yourself. The monarch carried vrat or fast on Goddess Shashti to have a son, and Ratna was the reward. This puja was performed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi.

What are the 4 days of Chhath Puja? 

Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu ritual called Surya Shashti, Chhath, Chhath Parv, Chhathi, Dala Chhath, and Dala Puja, or a festival considered auspicious. In this four-day Chathh ritual, individuals pray to Lord Surya, the Sun God, regarded as the Divine of life force and energy.

What is Eaten during Chhath Puja? 

During Chhath Puja, thekua is among the most preferred prasad. It is a dry sweet and is prepared with wheat flour, dried coconut, melted sugar, and ghee. On the Chhath Puja’s second day, thekua is mostly cooked before being served to the Sun God.

Significance of Chatti Puja 

Dates for the adoration of goddesses and gods are specified in Hindu religious literature. Sun is usually honored on Chhath. Women in Chhath folklore have preserved this legendary custom.

The phrase makes it obvious why Goddess and God are worshipped jointly. In it, the Vratis claim that they revere the Shashthi Devi for offspring and the sun gods for things like property, wealth, and food.

Shakti and Brahma are prayed jointly at the Surya Shashti vrat. As a result, individuals who fast or keep vrat are rewarded with both forms of worship. Because of this, the devotion is even more unique.

When to perform Chatti Puja?

Every year, in the Chaitra and Kartika months, people celebrate Chhath Puja twice. The celebration starts six days following the Diwali celebration.

Chatt Puja Muhurat 2023

Puja Day	Date	Rituals
Friday	November 17	Bathing and eating
Saturday	November 18	Kharna
Sunday	November 19	Evening Drink
Monday	November 20	Usha Argh/ Sunrise

Why do you need to book pandit for Chatti Puja? 

A pandit is necessary during the Chhath Puja celebration to ensure that every ritual is performed correctly and follows customs. You can connect with SmartPuja to do puja and vrat for your Chhath Puja celebration while adhering to all traditions.

Our qualified purohits and pandits will conduct your Chhath Puja on an auspicious day. We also offer our services and puja in other cities besides Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. To learn more, kindly get in touch with us.

Frequently Asked Questions