Chhath Puja 2022: Chhath festival started with pomp in Gorakhpur, crowd of buyers gathered in the markets A to Z Counsel

Chhath, a four-day long festival of folk faith, started with a bath on Friday. Women observing Chhath fast in their homes performed the traditional ritual of bathing and eating according to the law. Vratis will start waterless fast from Kharna on Saturday. The fast will be broken by offering arghya to the rising sun on Sunday and the rising sun on Monday. Meanwhile, for the purchase of Chhath Puja material, there was a hustle and bustle in the market for the whole day on Friday. Major markets were flooded with Chhath goods. On Friday, the fasting mothers, after bathing in water bodies and houses in the morning, cooked pumpkin and rice and ate it in the evening. Chhath Geet was sung in many homes during Nahay Khay.

On the other hand, there was activity throughout the day on the Chhath Ghats. Along with the devotees, the municipal team and volunteers were engaged in making arrangements for the ghats. A large number of people were seen making the altar of Chhath Puja in places like Suryakund Dham, Gorakhnath, Mahesra Ghat, Rajghat, Ramghat, Ramgarhtal etc.

Temporary ghats ready in the metropolis

People gathered in front of the houses in areas like Vishnu Mandir, Geeta Vatika, Shahpur, Vishnupuram, Bauliya Colony, Kudaghat, Suba Bazar, Basharatpur, Rustampur, Raptinagar, Jafra Bazar, Bhediyagarh, Sahara Estate, Civil Lines, Pastor Bazar, Asuran Chowk etc. Temporary jetties have been prepared. Some people have dug a small pit near the house and filled it with water.

Devotees busy preparing to fill Kosi

Kosi is filled on Chhath after any auspicious event or fulfillment of any vow in the house. Preparations are being made to fill Kosi in the houses of various localities of the metropolis. For this, people were engaged in collecting items like elephants, urns, lamps, sugarcane, fruits, etc., used for filling the kosi.

Kharna today

The fasting women keep Nirjal Kharna fast on Saturdays. In the evening, after setting the stove in a clean place, she will worship with Akshat, incense, lamp and vermilion. We will make roti from flour and kheer from sathi rice. After this the kharana will be done. After eating this roti and kheer, Chhath fast will begin, which will end on Monday after offering Arghya to the rising sun.

Vrat started from Ramayana period

According to Pandit Sharad Chandra Mishra, it is believed that the Chhath fast dedicated to Lord Surya and Mata Chhath started from the Ramayana period. Mother Sita observed this fast for the longevity of her sons. As a result of the Chhath fast of Draupadi, the Pandavas got the royal palace back.

Importance of Chhath Puja

Jyotishacharya Manish Mohan told that Chhath fast is kept for freedom from diseases, increase in happiness and prosperity of children. It is believed that keeping Chhath fast with a sincere heart definitely fulfills the wishes. Those whose wishes are fulfilled, they fill the kosi. Many people reach Dandavat at the Ghats.