Chhath Puja is a famous festival for sun worship in our country. It is mainly called Chhath due to the fasting of Surya Shashthi. This festival is celebrated twice a year.
However, the first time in Chaitra and the second time in Karthik. Chhath festival celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Paksha Shashthi, the festival celebrated on Chaiti Chhath and Kartik Shukla Paksha Shashthi, is called Kartiki Chhath. Also, this festival is celebrated for family happiness, prosperity, and getting the desired results.
Women and men celebrate this festival equally. Also, there are many mythological and folk tales that proclaim the tradition of Chhath Puja and its importance.
Ramayana
According to a belief, Lord Rama and Mother Sita fasted and worshiped Suryadev on Kartik Shukla Shashthi on the day of the establishment of Ramrajya after the victory of Lanka. Saptami has performed again at sunrise and received blessings from Suryadev.
Mahabharata
According to another belief, the Chhath festival started in the Mahabharata period. First Sun’s son Karna started worshiping Sun God. Karna was the supreme devotee of Lord Surya. Also, he used to stand in water till the waist for hours every day and offer arghya to the sun. By the grace of Lord Sun, He became a great warrior. Even today, this method of arghya donation is prevalent in Chhath.
There is another story about the Chhath festival. According to the legend, when the Pandavas lost all their royalty in gambling, then Draupadi kept Chhath Vrat. Then his wishes were fulfilled and the Pandavas got the Rajpath back. According to folk tradition, the relation of Surya Dev and Chhathi Mayya is with brother and sister. Surya was the first worshiper of Lok Matraka Shashthi.
Purana
There is another legend about this in Purana. According to another legend, King Priyavad had no children, then Maharishi Kashyapa performed yagya to get a son, and made a kheer made for Yagyahuti to Malini, Priyavad’s wife. Due to this effect, he was born a son but he was born dead. Priyavad went to the crematorium with his son and the son started dying in disconnection.
At the same time, the Devasena, the psyche of the Lord, appeared and said that ‘I am called Shashthi because of the sixth part of the original trend of creation. Rajan, you worship me and inspire more people also. The king fasted the goddess Shashthi with a son’s will and he received the son Ratna. This puja was performed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi.
Our immune system increases with the food items used in Chhath Puja
Chhath Mahaparva is not only a sadhana but it also teaches you how to avoid diseases and stay healthy. Most of the materials used for offering arghya in Chhath Mahaparva are available locally and also have special importance in Ayurveda. Moreover, the fruits and other food items used in these prepares the body to fight against cold, along with increasing immunity. Along with this, they also prevent many diseases.
Expert practitioners of Ayurveda have also described Amla, turmeric, cane, pineapple, water fruit water chestnut, coconut, Suthani, Thekua, etc. used in Chhath to be healthy. At the same time, Suryopasana provides vitamin D and also protects against leprosy. All ingredients remove biliary disorders.
Gooseberry
It increases immunity and protects against cold. Also, it contains calcium and Vitamin C.
Turmeric
It is antiseptic, anti-allergic, and anti-oxidant in nature. Turmeric gives relief in inflammation, pain, and wounds.
Ginger
Used in many ayurvedic medicines, ginger keeps our body warm.
Jaggery
Jaggery keeps the body warm, removes body disorder, and enhances the digestive power of the body.
Pineapple
It is rich in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins. Thus it is helpful in enhancing the working of the digestive system.
Coconut
Coconut is a stockpile of calcium, vitamin B, and fiber. It helps in the prevention of stomach & kidney disease and control blood pressure.
Apple
Apple is the stockpile of vitamin A, B, C, E, and K. It helps in reducing weight and lowering cholesterol, sugar, beneficial for patients with asthma, all-round fruits
Lemon
It is rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and rich fiber. It is helpful in losing weight, antioxidant, helpful in improving digestive power.
Cane
It is helpful in increasing the digestion and strength of the body.
Water fruit
It is a Low-fat fruit having vitamin B6 and potassium.
To give Arghya to Sun is of Special Importance
In the evening and morning, while giving sun to the sun, the mercury rays emanating from the sun come out diagonally. Vitamin D is formed by the introduction of these rays on the body. Vitamin D is a very important element for healthy living. This is the reason that our ancestors have prepared every one of the laws of Chhath as per the requirement of keeping a healthy body. On the one hand, the importance of cleanliness of the sun, Ganga, and other parts has been told, then by fasting, it is practiced to remove the disorders of the body and keep it healthy.
By:-
Prakhar Sharma
Founder, Upgrading India
