In 2024, the holy month of Kartik holds immense spiritual importance in the Hindu calendar, marking the arrival of autumn and the final month of Chaturmas. Performing Deep Daan during this month is said to absolve one of their sins, and taking a dip in sacred rivers is believed to bring wellness. This auspicious month also includes important festivals and fasts, such as Diwali, Dhanteras, and Chhath Puja.
As the auspicious Chhath Puja begins, let’s delve into its rich mythological roots that trace back to the times of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to ancient stories, this festival holds deep significance for Lord Rama and Mata Sita, as well as Draupadi from the Mahabharata. The festival is celebrated with great devotion not just in India, but also in foreign countries, making it a unifying celebration for people of all religions.
As the setting sun is worshipped, millions of people gather at the banks of the Ganga Ghat for the annual celebration of Chhath Puja. While it is traditionally celebrated in the Kartik month, some regions in India also observe the festival during Chaitra. Chhath Puja involves strict rituals and fasting for four days to express gratitude to Lord Surya for sustaining life on Earth. The festival is predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by diaspora communities from these regions.
Chhath Puja, also known as the festival of devotion, begun on November 5 this year with the first day marked as Nahay-Khay. As the festival is celebrated for the prosperity of children, astrologer and Vastu expert Rakesh Chaturvedi sheds light on the rituals performed during this grand event. The festival also involves a 36-hour fast where devotees offer Arghya to the rising and setting sun on different days, making it a spiritual and physically enduring experience. The blog also mentions the auspicious timings of various rituals and the traditional satvik food consumed by fasting devotees.
The Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, celebrated Chhath Puja with his family and top BJP leaders, including National President JP Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. The leaders inspected the arrangements made by the district administration for devotees to offer prayers to Lord Surya at 108 locations along the banks of the Ganga River. The festival, known for its cultural and spiritual significance in Bihar, has drawn lakhs of people to the Chhath Ghats in Patna, with the Chief Minister personally overseeing preparations for security, cleanliness, and crowd management.
As the sacred festival of Chhath Puja draws near, devotees are eagerly awaiting the timings of the evening Arghya ceremony on November 7, 2024. The ritual, which symbolizes gratitude, is performed at sunset and varies for different cities. This article provides the exact timings for cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, but also cautions readers to seek expert advice before implementing any beliefs or information discussed.
The Chhath puja celebration in Delhi's Geeta Colony took a disappointing turn as devotees were met with a dry ghat. Outraged by the lack of water, devotees staged a protest and demanded answers from the government. In response, the Delhi government made arrangements for puja at 1,000 different spots in the city, but did not allow the Chhat puja to be performed at the polluted Yamuna ghats. Amidst the chaos, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, JP Nadda, and Lalu Yadav were seen offering prayers at the Ganga ghats.
As the festival of Chhath Puja approaches, people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and other parts of India are gearing up to worship Surya Dev and seek blessings from Shashthi Mata. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, the festival holds significance in bringing health, prosperity, and happiness in one's life. To mark this auspicious occasion, we have compiled a collection of Happy Chhath Puja images, wishes, and messages to share with your loved ones. So, let's spread positivity and celebrate the festival with joy and devotion.
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and local residents protested against loud music being played at a Chhath Puja ghat in Delhi, accusing the BJP of disrupting preparations for the festival. The AAP and the BJP have been sparring over the setup of Chhath ghats in the city, with the ruling party accusing the DDA, controlled by the BJP, of obstructing access to ghats. The dispute has centered around the Satpula ghat, where AAP leaders allege BJP representatives have disrupted preparations, leading to a political clash.
In preparation for the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, various states in India have declared school holidays from November 7. This Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya is celebrated for four days, where women devotees participate in various rituals. In addition to school holidays, banks will also be closed in certain states, providing an opportunity for the Purvanchal community to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.