Auspicious four-day Chhath Puja commences with 'Nahai-Khai' | Pics
Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST
The annual Chhath Puja festival started with devotees embarking on a four-day long and strict spiritual observance. Also known as Surya Shashti, the major Hindu festival celebrates the Sun god and is widely celebrated in north Indian belt, especially in states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. The festival starts with 'Nahai-Khai' - the ritual to eat ‘Kaddu-Chawal’ (rice and pumpkin) on day one, observing day-long fast, preparing prasad (offerings) and ending the festival with praying to setting and rising Sun while taking a dip in a water body. In addition to Sun god, people also pray to Chhathi Maiya for their families well being, prosperity and and progress.
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Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST
Women purchase bottle gourd at a vegetable market for 'Nahai-Khai' ritual in Bihar. The origin of this festival dates back to Ramayana. Some legends also say that Mahabharata's Karna - king of Anga - modern day Bhagalpur in Bihar - also performed Chhath puja and so did Pandavas and Draupadi.(Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times)
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Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST
People making preparations for the Chhath puja in Lucknow on Thursday. On the second day of the festival - 'Kharna' - is observed when devotees observe day long fast and break it after worshipping mother Earth in the evening. Offerings made to god include rice pudding (kheer) and fruits. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)
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Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST
Devotees shop for puja materials ahead of Chhath puja festival, in Ranchi Jharkhand. The night of third day witnesses a colourful event called Kosi - a canopy is made from sugarcane stick and lighted earthen lamps are placed inside it with baskets of prasad.(ANI)
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Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST
A team of Delhi Jal Board sprays chemical into Yamuna to dissolve the toxic foam seen on the surface of the river as part of preparations ahead of Chhath puja in Delhi.
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Published on Oct 28, 2022 12:28 PM IST