CHHATH PUJA CALENDAR 2023: Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in some regions of Nepal. It is also celebrated in rest of India including Delhi and Mumbai in a big way. This festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and it usually falls in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, which corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The dates of Chhath Puja vary each year, as they are determined based on the lunar calendar.
CHHATH PUJA 2023 DATES
Nahay Khay (Day 1): November 17, 2023: Devotees take a holy bath and eat a satvik meal. This day symbolizes purification and preparation for the upcoming rituals.
Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2): November 18, 2023: On this day, devotees observe a nirjala vrat, abstaining from both food and water. In the evening, they consume a special prasad called lohanda, which is offered to the Sun God.
Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): November 19, 2023: Devotees offer arghya, an offering of water and other items, to the setting Sun God. This arghya is a way of expressing gratitude to the Sun God for his blessings.
Usha Arghya (Day 4): November 20, 2023: Chhath devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun God. This arghya is a way of seeking blessings for the future.
Chhath Puja 2023: Sunrise, Sunset Time
- Sunset Time on Friday, November 17: 5:50 PM
- Sunrise Time on Monday, November 20: 06:20 AM
CHHATH PUJA: HISTORY
The origins of Chhath Puja can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures, and it is believed to date back to the Vedic period. It is a way of showing gratitude to the Sun God, who is considered the source of life on Earth. The festival has been celebrated for centuries and holds deep cultural and historical significance.
CHHATH PUJA: SIGNIFICANCE
Chhath Puja is a way for devotees to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and to seek his blessings for the well-being, prosperity, and happiness of their families. It is also a way to cleanse the mind and spirit and to seek forgiveness for past sins.
CHHATH PUJA: RITUALS
Chhath Puja involves several rituals, including taking a dip in a holy river (Nahay Khay), fasting, preparing special offerings, and performing the “arghya” or offerings to the setting and rising sun. Devotees, particularly women, observe strict fasts during this period and offer their prayers to the Sun God with devotion.
CHHATH PUJA: CELEBRATION
The festival is marked by elaborate rituals and celebrations, with people gathering at the banks of rivers or other water bodies to offer their prayers to the setting and rising sun. Devotees wear traditional attire and sing folk songs during the puja. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, and it’s a time for family gatherings and communal harmony.
CHHATH PUJA 2023 PRASAD: THEKUA RECIPE
Thekua is a traditional sweet dish prepared as an offering during Chhath Puja. Here’s a simple recipe for making Thekua:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- A pinch of grated nutmeg
- Water (as needed)
- Oil for deep frying
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, ghee, cardamom powder, and grated nutmeg.
- Gradually add water and knead the mixture into a stiff dough.
- Take small portions of the dough and shape them into small flat rounds or squares.
- Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the shaped Thekua until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Remove them from the oil and let them cool.
- Thekua is now ready to be offered as prasad during Chhath Puja, and it can also be enjoyed as a sweet snack.
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