Chhath Puja is a very important Hindu festival, mostly celebrated with a lot of devotion in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. This festival is for the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. If you’re fasting for Chhath puja 2024 for the first time, here are some important tips to help you enjoy and respect the celebration:
| Day | Date | Event |
| Day 1 | Tuesday, November 5 | Nahay Khay |
| Day 2 | Wednesday, Nov 6, 2024 | Lohanda and Kharna |
| Day 3 | Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 | Sandhya Arghya |
| Day 4 | Friday, Nov 8, 2024 | Usha Arghya (Parana) |
Things to Know for Chhath Puja 2024 Vrat
Who is Chhathi Maiya
According to the scriptures, Chhathi Maiya or Shashthi Maiya is considered to be the goddess who protects children. The natural world is divided into six sections, and the sixth section is considered the most important, representing the mother goddess. Chhath Mata is the spiritual daughter of Brahma Ji.
Nirjala Vrat
- Chhath Puja involves a tough 36-hour fast where people don’t even drink water.
- This challenging fast needs strong physical and mental control.
Satvik Diet
- Before starting the fast, it’s important to follow a Sattvic diet, which focuses on clean and nutritious foods.
- Avoid onion and garlic during the fast, as they are considered Tamasic and can disrupt its purity.
Puja Preparations
- Nahai-Khay: On the first day of Chhath, called Nahai-Khay, people take a holy bath and eat a clean vegetarian meal.
- Lohanda: On the second day, worshippers pray to the Sun as it sets.
- Usha Arghya: On the last day, called Usha Arghya, they pray to the Sun as it rises.
- Make sure you have all the needed worship items, like fruits, flowers, and thekua (a special sweet).
Timing is Crucial
- The exact times for puja ceremonies change every year.
- Ask a local priest or check trusted sources to find out the correct times for your area.
According to Drik Panchang, the Chhath Puja festival is observed on the Shashthi day during the bright half of the Kartik month. In 2024, Shashthi will begin on Thursday, November 7 at 12:41 am and end on Friday, November 8 at 12:34 am.
Breaking the Fast
- After a 36-hour fast, start with a small, simple meal that’s easy to digest.
- Eat foods with lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein to help your body recover.
- Make sure to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.
Why do we offer water to the setting sun during Chhath Puja?
In the scriptures, there is a provision to worship the sun at sunrise, but in Chhath Puja, water is also offered to the setting sun. In the Chhath festival, the message of offering water to the setting sun first and then to the rising sun the next day is that whatever has set is sure to rise, so instead of getting scared of adverse circumstances, do your work patiently and wait for your good days to come.
There’s a rule to worship the sun when it rises, but during Chhath Puja, people also offer water to the sun as it sets. During the Chhath festival, the idea of first offering water to the setting sun and then to the rising sun the next day teaches us that whatever goes down will surely come back up. So, instead of being afraid of tough times, we should do our work calmly and wait for better days to arrive.
More Tips for Chhath Puja 2024
- If you have any health issues, talk to a doctor before starting the fast.
- Make sure you drink enough water before the fast begins.
- Be around happy people and avoid thinking about bad things.
- Ask for blessings from older people and those who have done this before.
By doing these things, you can take part in Chhath Puja with respect and enjoy its spiritual advantages.
