Chhath Puja preparations are in full swing all over the country. Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival celebrated over 4 days. It commences six days after Diwali or on the sixth day of the month of Kartik. Dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya. This year, Chhath puja began on Monday, November 8.
This Vedic Hindu festival is mostly celebrated in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Nepal. Chhath Puja is associated with praying to Lord Surya for the well being and prosperity of their family members. Men and women observe fast during Chhath puja but mostly women perform it.
Today is the second day of a four-day-long festival of Chhath. This day is known as Kharna.
How to observe Kharna
On the second-day people perform Nirjala vrat, which means fasting without water from the time of sunrise to the sunset and then offer the first Arghya of Chhath to the ascending sun. Vratee along with the family members offer setting sun and also the rising sun the next day Prasad at the bank of a river or water body.
Sunset Timing: 5:04 pm
Prashad
Prashad is an important aspect of all the rituals, on the second of Chhath a prashad of kheer, prepared on an earthen stove with gud and Arwa Chawal is served. Some of the seasonal fruits and some vegetables are also used for worship by the devotees. According to some rituals, it is believed that a person who is observing the fast must prepare and serve the prashad as bhog.
