Chhath - Festival of Sun

Chhath is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival, celebrated in Mithila region of Nepal, and India. This festival is dedicated to Sun and his wife Usha in order to thank them for blessing life on earth and also to request for granting wishes of devotees. In Nepal is it celebrated by people living in teria region. It lasts for four days and during this period, the worshiper observe purity and slees on the floor on a single blanket or on a separate bed. This is the only holy festival which has no involvement of any pandit (priests). Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun early morning and then the setting sun in the evening to celebrate its glory as the cycle of birth to death.

Nahay Kay/Arwa Arwain – First Day : The devotees take a dip in nearby river – preferable in holy rivers like Koshi, Bagmati, Karnali, Narayani. They also take the holy water to their home to purify the house and prepare offerings. Houses and surroundings are kept clean and ladies observing the Barta (Fast) take only one meal cooked by themselves.

Lohanda and Kharna (Argasan) – Second Day: On this day also ladies observing Barta (Fast) continue fasting for the whole day, which ends in the evening after the sunset. After worshipping the setting sun and rising moon in the evening, they take Kheer, Chappatis, fruits and sweets which is also offered to Sun and Moon. Such food is also distributed among other family members. After having the Prashad, ladies observing fast go for 36 hour Barta without even drinking water till the fourth day morning.

Sandhya Arghya - Third Day: Family members accompanies the ladies (fasting) to the nearest riverbank, pond or a lake to make offerings to the setting sun. The offerings are prepared during the day. The riverbanks will be full of devotees and their family members. Devotees even sing folk songs on the evening of the Chhath.

Usha Arghya – Fourth Day:  On the final day, devotees and their family members go to the nearest riverbank with offerings (Kher, Fruits, Chapaatis, Thekuwas etc.) in order to make offerings to the rising sun. The ladies observing fast break their fast after worshipping the rising sun and making offerings. People take holy bath in the riverbanks to make themselves pure. Devotees return home eat Prasad. The Prasad includes, Kheer, Chhpatis, Theuwas other food items. The Prasad is cooked with no onion, garlic and salt to maintain purity of the offering.