The communities of the southern region of Nepal, collectively known as the Madeshi community, have numerous festivals such as Holi, Chaitya Dashain, Chhath, Dashera, Dipawali and others. Amongst them, Chhath holds great significance.
During the festival of Chaath, devotees worship the Sun God with high venerations. People view this deity as the force that binds the universe together and provides energy. Through the rituals and traditions, families welcome prosperity into the family and prevent bad omens. Worshippers also pray for longevity and happiness.
The history of Chhath can be traced back to the early Vedic Period in Hinduism. As per folklore, Chhati Maiya, the wife of the Sun God, can grant all wishes. Her blessings can bring prosperity and positive energy into one's life.
Most festivals feature unique hymns and songs which depict the purpose of the festival. During Chhath, devotees recite similar songs and hymns. The community present various offerings and chant holy prayers to the god of light during the four-day celebration.
Day 1: Nahaye Khaye
As the name suggests, 'Nahaye' means to take a bath and 'khaye' means to eat. The first day of the festival features a dip at the nearby holy river, post which devotees wear a pair of fresh clothes. Devotees then indulge in a pure vegetarian breakfast. The meal also doesn't incorporate garlic and onions.
This day symbolizes the start of the holy fasting performed in the festival, also known as ‘Vrat’, and the devotees take a vow to finish their fasting to attain blessings.
Day 2: Kharna
On the second day, believers fast for a full day. The process of gaining purity features a holy bath and eating purely vegetarian food to break the fast. A series of delicacies and sweets are prepared in house using recipes passed down from generations.
‘Kasaar’, a sweet made from roasted rice, is prepared during the daytime. Other popular desserts are ‘Thekua’, a mix of wheat flour and caramel fried in oil and ‘Bhusuwa’, a sweet prepared similar to thekua but shaped spherically.
In the evening, ‘kheer’ (rice pudding) and ‘puri’ are prepared to break the fast. Individuals refrain from consuming salt, garlic or onions on this day.
Day 3: Sandhya Araghya
The third day is the prime day of Chhath puja, where devotees begin a fast, where they don't even drink a drop of water the entire day. During the evening, they go to the edge of a river, lake, or pond called 'ghat' with their families, carrying a bamboo basket decorated with fruits, sugarcane, and sweets prepared from the day before.
Diyos (oil lamps), candles, smoke sticks are set up in the ghat to perform the Araghya, special prayer. As the sun sets, devotees hold fruits and smoke sticks in their hands and stand in the water, worshipping and offering their Araghya at the setting sun, Chhathi Mata, and the Vedic Goddess of Dawn. Offerings or ‘prasad’ such as milk, fruits, sweets bestowed to the gods. As the sun sinks and night comes, they return to their homes to prepare for the coming morning.
Day 4: Usha Araghya
On this day, before the sunrise, devotees visit the ghat to offer the morning Araghya to the gods of the rising sun. Once the Araghya is complete, holy water from the river is sprinkled over the family members by the elder. The 36-hour fasting is brought to an end by the devotees by eating the prasad. This ritual is also known as Parana.
And with that, the festival of Chhath concludes.
