The Chhath Mahaparv, a four-day festival, has begun with the Nahay Khay ritual. This festival is dedicated to worshipping the sun god, Suryadev, and seeking blessings from Goddess Katyayani. On this day, women observe a fast and prepare the Mahaprasad of Gur ki Kheer (jaggery rice pudding) on a new clay stove in the evening. After consuming this prasad, they begin the Nirjala Vrat (waterless fast). The fast is broken the next day after offering prayers to the rising sun.
During the Kharna puja and while receiving the prasad, certain things need to be kept in mind. It is important to maintain silence and avoid loud noises during these rituals. Speaking loudly or bursting firecrackers or any other loud noise is discouraged as it is believed to disrupt the sanctity of the Kharna puja and prasad consumption. It is believed that the presence of loud noises during these rituals hinders the progress of the fast. It is also believed that if a loud noise enters the ears of the devotee while receiving the prasad, they immediately stop eating. Hence, special attention is given to avoid any loud noises.
The cost of a clay stove ranges from INR 100 to INR 200 in the market. Additionally, mango wood is available in the market for lighting the lamps during the festival. The price of mango wood ranges from INR 20 to INR 50 per kilogram. After the Kharna puja, the Chhath Vrat concludes on Monday morning by offering prayers to the rising sun, following the process of Astachal Gamini Bhagwan Bhaskar.
According to Pandit Arun Kumar Mishra, a specialist in astrology and rituals, purity and sattvic (pure) behavior hold the utmost importance during the Chhath festival. As the month of Kartik begins, the consumption of garlic and onions is usually stopped. Many people start consuming rock salt after Dhanteras or Diwali as a way to purify themselves. To fulfill the standard of purity required for the Chhath festival, one must be completely s
