Chhath Puja 2023: An ancient Hindu festival called Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, honors the goddess Chhathi Maiya and the god Surya (the sun). This festival, which is also known as Chhath Parv, Dala Chhath, Chhetri, or Dala Puja, is observed through a four-day cultural practice that includes giving sweets to the sun, taking a holy bath, and abstaining from all food and liquids for the duration of the fast.
It is mostly celebrated in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. In the Hindu calendar, Chhath falls on Kartik Shukla Shashti, the sixth day of the month of Kartik. The date of Chhath Puja in 2023 is Sunday, November 19. Let’s see the Chhath Puja date, muhurat, significance, history, locations to be observed, customs, and cultures for 2023 in this article.
Chhath Puja 2023 Date
In case you’re confused about the date and wondering when Chhath Puja is, you should know that it will be observed on November 19, 2023, this year. Devotees honor Lord Surya throughout the four extended days of Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja 2023 Timings and Muhurat
Title | Date and Day | Hindi Tithi | Muhurat |
Nahaaye Khaye | 17 November 2023, Friday | Chaturthi |
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Kharna and Lohanda | 18 November 2023, Saturday | Panchami |
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Sandhya Argha | 19 November 2023, Sunday | Shashthi |
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Usha Arghya | 20 November 2023, Monday | Saptami |
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Chhath Puja Story and Importance
It is thought that on Kartik Shukla Shashti, after their return from their exile, Rama and Sita performed their first Chhath Puja signifying that the holy tradition of worshipping the Sun is as old as the Hindu religion. Lord Surya, or the Sun, is worshipped at the ancient Hindu Vedic festival of Chhath Puja. It is a common idea that worshiping the Sun deity provides spiritual and health advantages.
A second story associated with the Chhath Puja celebration tells of King Priyabrat and his spouse, Malini. They were childless, and Malini gave birth to a dead kid despite her best efforts to conceive.
The King made the decision to end his life as he began to lose hope. Suddenly, the Manas Kanya materialized out of nowhere and declared, “I am an incarnation of the sixth part of the universe.” You will undoubtedly be rewarded with a kid if you worship me for six days with a pure mind and soul. The King and Queen consented to worship and were granted a lovely child as a result.
Why do we Celebrate Chhath Puja?
The Sun is worshipped at the Chhath Puja festival since it is thought to be the source of life on Earth. Another reason people perform the Chhath Puja is to ask the Sun for blessings so they can live long, healthy, and successful lives.
This event is celebrated by people in the Terai region of Nepal and the Indian subcontinent as a chance to honor Mother Nature by fasting for two days and worshiping the Sun.
Chhath Puja Traditions and Rituals
The day-by-day Chhath Puja festivities are listed below:
Day 1: Nahaaye Khaaye: The first day of Chhath Puja is known as Nahaye Khaye. It literally translates to “to bath and eat.” Those who observe the fast on this day take a sacred dip in a river, pond, or other body of water.
Day 2: Kharna: Devotees observe the Nirjala fast on the second day, going without food and liquids. In addition to being given to Chhati Mata, prasad is also given to friends and family.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya: Arghya is offered to the Sun in the evening on the third day, along with a variety of goods including fruits and sweets. During the night, people chant devotional songs and listen to the Chhath Vrat Katha.
Day 4: Usha Arghya and Paran: Arghya is offered to the Sun first thing on this final day of the Chhath Puja. To offer the Arghya, people go to the local water source or river bank. They offer prayers to Chhathi Mata and the Sun for wealth, well-being, and pleasure. Ginger and jaggery are eaten to break the fast of those who are fasting.
The most popular food served at Chhath Puja is thekua. It’s a dry dessert made with melted sugar, ghee, dried coconut, and wheat flour.