Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev

 

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : 
Ug Ho Suraj Dev

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.

Section A. Report.Bihar.

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Badgaon Nalanda an ancient seat for Surya Puja since Mahabharat. 

CR / Nalanda Bihar. Chhath is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival historically native to the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh and the Madhesh region of Nepal. Where ever the Surya Mandirs are available there is a long lived tradition for worshipping the Lord Surya.

Badgaon Talab at Nalanda  an important seat of Chhath Pooja : photo Dr Madhup.

Prayers and religious rituals, including puja and prasad, bathing in the Ganges, and fasting are the rites and rituals followed by the Chhath Brati in Bihar, UP and right now everywhere where the Biharis and the residents of UP people live. As this year Chatth pooja has to be under the guide line of Corona effects so I Dr  Madhup Raman with my associates from different parts of the world will be reporting  how the Chhath Pooja is being celebrated.

in India and outside India. As we know that according to Hindu Panchang Surya Shasti Pooja or Chhath Pooja  will be observed between Fri 18th November to Sat 21 November 2020.

Badagaon : About 90 kilometer away from the capital of Bihar State Patna there is a holy tank in Nalanda, the  Unesco World Heritage Site where the Hindu devotees celebrate the Lok Parv Chhath with all believes. However this year new changes may be realised.

Nalanda is one of the important districts in Bihar State whose administrative headquarter office is Biharsharif. This district contains the ancient university Nalanda University the great seat of learning. Just hardly 2 kms away Badgao is that important village where Chhath pooja is observed with great enthusiasm. It is Badgaon said in a tale that for gaining blessing of lord Surya once Lord Krishna also offered himself for the worshipping of Surya puja in the region of Magadh when he arrived here to rescue the people of the Magadh Janpadas from the atrocities of King Jarasandh.

Sources also said his grand son Sambh constructed 12 seats for worshipping of Lord Surya in Magadh region amongst them there are two seats are exisisting in Nalanda district. One is at

another seat pf Surya Puja at Aungari Dham Nalanda : courtesy photo

Aungari Dham and another one is at Badgaon Nalanda.  Since Mahabharat there  has been a great custom of Surya Pooja around Magadh region with a huge gathering around these Sun temples in Chhath festival. 

However corona guidelines have been issued to common to avoid the unnecessary gatherings around the pond area. And devotees are suggested to  complete this festival safely being at their houses.

Surya Temple Badgao Nalanda : photo  Dr. Madhup.

Surya Mandir. Adjacent to this tank here remains a very ancient temple dedicated to Lord Surya. So due to the availability of the  temple of Lord Surya the place stands for the great importance. It is said that Chhatvrati always opt that place for offering their Arag  to the setting and rising sun where the Sun Temple is located.

Nalanda Badgaon talao has been a world wide famous site for Chhath Pooja celebration.

Sun Temple Badgaon entrance : photo Dr Madhup.

Dr. Madhup Raman

Free Lance Cartoonist,Vlogger & Blogger.

Copyrigth @ M.S.Media.

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Chhath, Surya Pooja not a regional festival but a natural and essential festival of all.

Ashwini Kumar.Free Lance Writer.

Biharsharif /CR  Chhath, a festival as pure as the SUN, earlier being celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh mainly, is now celebrated almost in every nook and corner of the globe, especially where Indian culture has its root. It is our token of gratitude to NATURE in general and the sun and some sources of water like rivers and ponds in particular. It is popularly known as the festival of folk belief i.e.LOK ASTHA. 

It is celebrated in the holy month of Marriage, five days after the festival of light i. e. DEEPAWALI. it is also celebrated in the month of Chaitra, three days ago the birthday of Lord Rama i.e. Ram Navami. But actually the rituals start with Martin Shukla paksh chaturthi (fourth day of the second half of Kartik or Chaitra). 

People following other religions also celebrate this festival as it is believed that Chhathi Maiya fulfill the wishes and keep of springs safe and protected. It is well mixed with Hindu culture, tradition and civilization. It's relation is associated with Treta Yug, the era of Lord Rama. It is also said that Lord Shri Krishna narrated the importance of Chhath to his son Samba. It is a festival which is celebrated with pure body, mind, soul and heart. 

Nahai Khai clippings : Collage Dr Sunita.

Day 1.NAHAI-KHAI

The family celebrating Chhath take their meal after having a bath. It is a custom which is associated with the celebration of most of the Hindu festivals. Cooked basmati rice, gram pulse, pumpkin and rock salt are the essential ingredients of the special meal prepared for the day. No common salt, no onion and no garlic are used in the preparation of meal. The food has  special and satisfying taste. Next comes kharna, pahalu arghya and with Paran on the seventh day of the month, the festival comes to an end.

Day 2.LOHANDA AND KHARNA

The second day of the festival of Chhath is celebrated as LOHANDA. This is the next important step in the celebration of the festival. A spirit of purity and sanctity can clearly be felt. Taking all care and maintaining purity of body and soul the 'prasad' for 'kharna' is prepared. All the family members cooperate in the celebration of the festival. The 'prasad' includes rice, gram pulse, small balls of rice flour, sweet rice, jaggery in semi-liquid form, radish, chutney of coriander leaves and small loaves of bread etc. These are prepared on separate stove made for the festival using cow dung cakes or mango wood fire. Both these things are considered to be sacred in the Hindu religion. 

Chhath Vratee photo Ashwini.

Persons actually performing the rituals of CHHATH 

perform worship with the

' prasad'. After this they take the prasad themselves first which is known as KHARNA. This is the last meal before they complete their worship which is called PARAN Or morning worship of Lord Sun and Chhath Maiya. During 

this whole period they don't drink even water. 

After the worshipper takes the prasad invitees which include relatives and friends and other family members 

take the prasad. In some families worship of Lord Satyanarayan is performed in the evening. The night and the other day till noon is spent in preparation of items of 'Prasad' of Chhath because home made items are also used along with different types of fruits🍍🍎🍓🍇 like coconuts 🍎apples, oranges, sugar cane, water nuts, radish, large sized sweet lemons, sweet potato and some dry fruits etc.

Day 3 : Pahli Arghya Or First Offering to Lord Sun

On this occasion evening offering to Lord Sun is made. India is perhaps the only country in the world where setting sun is also worshipped. This shows the uniqueness ol Indian culture and tradition. Different home made items like 'thekua, 'ladua,' etc. along with several fruits are used in the

offering made for Lord Sun. Roads,

kids divotees for Chhatti maiya. photo S.K.Pandit.

streets, river banks etc. are well cleaned and decorated. At some points temporary gates are also elected. They are well lit with electric lamps and tubes etc. 

All the offerings are arranged  in 'soops' and 'dauraas' made of bamboos. People carry them all the way on their heads. Earthen lamps are lit on these soops. Beautiful and melodious songs are sung by women. These songs describe importance and precautions need to be taken. Many devotees offer their worships on the banks of the Ganges or places devoted to Lord Sun Or where Sun Temples are situated. Before offering the 'prasad' devotees take a deep in the rivers and the ponds and in wet clothes they perform the rituals.  Other people also pour milk or water in front of the devotees standing in water. 

With this the  rituals of pahli

Mani Baba Akhara Talao : photo Dr.Manoj.

arghya gets completed. 

This year despite advisory and guidelines from the government devotees gathered on different river banks and ponds like Kosuk, Ashanagar, Baba Maniram Akhara pond, Dhaneshwar Ghat pond, different banks of Panchane and other rivers around Bihar Sharif etc. People participated with great devotion, enthusiasm and zeal. Songs and drum beats etc. we're echoing in the air. On the other hand many devotees ordered Arghya on the roofs of their houses or campuses following the guidelines of the government.

DAY 4 : PARAN OR DUSRI ARGHYA ( SECOND OFFERING TO LORD SUN) 

This is the last phase of CHHATH. With this the festival comes to an end. The process is almost the same as that of ' Pahli arghya'. But this is performed early in the morning before the rising sun. So the direction changes from that of the 'pahli arghya'. In the evening the sun is in the wes direction. So the devotees perform the rituals facing west while in the morning the sun is in the east and hence the rituals are performed 

standing towards the east. 

 a devotee for praying at Biharsharif.

It is believed that ' Chhathi maiya' fulfill the wishes and the family members remain free from illness and lead a happy, healthy and prosperous life. 

Prasads are distributed among relatives, friends, near and dear ones and even strangers. This festival increases unity and differences are forgotten. This is the festival noted for large participation of the populace.

Ashwini Kumar.

Free Lance Writer.

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Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.

Section A. Report. Jharkhand.

Chhath, a festival of faith and abstinence, is celebrated across Jharkhand

Ranchi / CR Chhath, a festival of faith and abstinence, is celebrated across Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttara Pradesh. It has an intangible association with our rich culture and tradition. In Jharkhand, this festival is celebrated with due devotion and utter sense  of commitment. The Sun God is invoked for all round prosperity,  disease 

free body and constructive thinking.

photo Jitendra Kr.Singh.

Inspite of prevailing fear of  monstrous pendemic, people cutting across social and financial boundaries extended their whole -hearted  assistance in ensuring hassle free observation of rituals. All around, a spirit of spiritual  urge seemed to be ruling. It is motivating to note that  the people 

get cooperative  to each other in such a way on such occasion as if there were a grand 

marriage of faith and religious commitment.

On this  pious occasion, Ranchi Lake, Kanke Dam and HEC Dam, were well embellished with decorative lights. There were proper observations of rules passed by the district administration. Other cities also were given colourful decorative in form of beautifull lights. 

At Hazaribagh, Canary Lake was  given a festive look with lights and decorations. The condition remained more or less same  in faith and ritualistic enthusiasm at steel city, Jamshedpur.

Dr Amit Kumar Sinha.

Free Lance Writer.

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News/Report from India and Abroad.

a four day festival of Surya Puja Lok Parv starts in Jodhpur.  

CR/ Jodhpur city observes the lok parv of Bihar UP and Jharkhand CHHATH POOJA festival starts with the beginning of Kharna today. A four day festival dedicated to Solar deity SURYA and CHHATHI MATA has been started from Wednesday with 'Nhaye Khaye' ritual. As ladies have been observed purchasing pooja items and foods for Chath Mahapoojan on Wednesday.

Ladies and families in local Ratanada, Kudi, Bhagtasni airforce, Banad army area, Madhuban housing board basically linked to their native places in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand,Bihar  and other Northern regions culture started fasting on this auspicious day. 

Starting with taking a holy bathe on Thursday  Kharna Ceremony of a 36 hour Nirjala fasting will commence on  followed with rigorous fasting for three days, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

Third day on 20th November, these Ladies and devotees will worship and  offer Surya Arghya at Sunset.On the last day, i.e on 21st November,  Surya Arghya offering at sunrise will take place by ladies with Parna of rigorous Fasting.

Report.

Jaswant Singh Solanki

Jodhpur.

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PCMC staffers and Chhath devotees make ghats ready for Chhath Vratees.

Pune/CR  In a talk with Mrs Sudha Sahay she said to our correspondent  ,'I am  from Patna came to Pune here 20 years ago and have been settled here. Although I am a Bihari so I am sticky to my culture and tradition but my sons are truly  Maharastrians. I am a staunch devotee of Chatti Maiya and regularly doing with my belief.'

On being asked how she will offer Argya in covid situation, she added,'she has been performing this all in her own flat for many years so she will do the same in her flat with this year too'

 We find many of the devotees in metros complete their celebrations at their houses. In the latest order for the common  on Friday people and Chhath Vratees have been appealed to celebrate at home with social distancing otherwise those flouting will be liable for action.

Sources said that around 2-3 lakh people from different states as UP, Bihar, Jharkhand live in Pimpri Chinchwad.

photo courtesy Pune Ghat for Vratees

And ghats along Pavana and Indrayani are ready to host the chhath poja devotees. On the other hand Chinchwadgaon Immersion Ghat ,Kejubai Temple Ghat at Thergaon,Ganesh Lake at Nigdi, Zhulelal Ghat at Pimpri,Bhosari Lake, Kalewadi Immersion Ghat, Jadhav Ghat at Ravet, Indrayani Ghat at Alandi, Sant Tukaram Maharaj Temple Ghat at Dehu and two lakes in Talegaon are made ready by the PCMC staffers and Chhath devotees.

Pune 

Abhishek Sahay.

 

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Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.

Section B. Our Wishes for Chhathbrati.

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may Chatti Maiya grant all prosperity to you : Ranjeet Sinha.

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our core wishes for Chhathbrati : Pratham Media.

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wishes u a happy, vigilant and very safe Chhath Pooja.

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wishes you a very happy Chhath Puja.

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wish u a very happy and comfortable Chhath Puja.

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Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja. Pardesh Main

Section C. Our Photo Gallery.

Kharna Celebration at Virginia State USA. photo Sunita Upadhyay

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.Desh Main

Section C. Our Photo Gallery. Nahay Khay.Day 1

Chhathbrati taking prasad on the day of Nahay Khay.Nalanda. : photo Dr.Sunita.

women being blessed by Chhati Maiya on Nahay Khay Day : photo Dr.Sunita.

Nahay Khay day celebration in Patna : photo Ram Kishore. 

Chhathbrati keeping Nahay Khay celebration at Daltenganj in Jharkhand : collage Dr Sunita.

Kids gaining prashad of Nahai Khai, Bokaro.Jharkhand : photo Chhavi.

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.

Section C. Our Photo Gallery. Lohanda. Day -2 

Chhath celebration at Noida, Delhi : photo Rimmi 

people moving towards Ghats for holy water for the preparation of Lohanda prashad : photo Vidisha.

Vrati performing Kharana at Pune, Maharashtra : photo Abhishek.

Vrati worshipping Chatti Maiya for Lohanda Nalanda : photo Vidisha.

Vratee engaging herself in Kharana celebration. Patna  : photo Nishant 

Devotees accepting Lohanda Prasad. Biharshaif : photo Aman.

a selfee with the vratee performing lohanda pooja.Bokaro Jharkhand. photo Chhavi 

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.Bihar.

Section C. Our Photo Gallery. Pahali Aarag. Day -3 

Preparation for the celebration of Chhath under Covid guide line. photo M.S.Media.

Devotees making prasad for Chhatti Maiya : M.S.Media.

Carrying dauras and moving towards the ghats : M.S.Media.

Pahali Aarag. offerings to the setting Sun Biharsharif : photo Aryan.

a staunch belief of Chhat Maiya over threat for blessings. Nalanda 

pehali offering : pehali arag at Sun Setting Falgu River. Gaya : photo Anamika.

a devotee's family paying offerings to the setting sun in Darbhanga : photo Dr. Ratnika  

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.Jharkhand.

Section C.Our Photo Gallery. Pahali Aarag. Day -3 

being ready for the pehali aarag Ranchi : collage Vidisha.

Section C. Our Photo Gallery. Pahali Aarag. 

Day -3 Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev

A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja. India

offerings for the setting sun Noida.Delhi : photo Rimmi

Section C. Our Photo Gallery. Pahali Aarag. 

Day- 4. Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev

A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja. India.&.USA

Prayer for the sun for prosperity.Virginia State.USA : photo Sunita Upadhaya.

Sun rising at Haridwar Ghat. Vratee for Chhath Pooja Celebration : photo Ajeet 

patawa se jhanke laglan Surajmal dhire dhire . Ranchi : photo Raushan Mishra.

A collage of Chhath Pooja celebration Hazaribagh : photo Dr Amit

offering hour at Dhaneshwar Ghat Biharsharif. : photo Shatrughan 

Morning Hour.Doosari Aarag.at Residence : Biharsharif : photo Aryan.

sun rising at Rukka Dam.Doosari Aarg. Ranchi : photo Ashok Karn.

Doosari Aarag at Rukka Dam Ranchi : photo Ashok Karan.

Morning offerings prayer  at Daltongunj Palamu : collage  Dr.Sunita.

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Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev
A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja.

Section D. Our Views & Comments Gallery. 

You Said It.

    'We remain very thankful to the Sun for bestowing the bounties of life on the earth and fulfilling our particullar and essential wishes for our survival.'

                                   Dr. Prashant. Baroda. Gujrat.

   'We are too proud to be a Bihari. Our heritage and culture is too great based on the ancient Vedic science. By worshipping the natural sources we are religiously bound to preserve the nature and earth. Celebration of the Chhath Pooja or Surya Pooja is one of them'.

                                   Dr. Shyam Bihari. Child Specialist. Paila Pokher. Biharsharif 

  'Chath puja is all about worshipping sunset first and then the rising sun. A new beginning with all positivity.... '   Subhonil Roy Chowdhury. Software Engineer. New Jersey. USA        

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Section E. Archives. Our Photo Gallery. 

Lok Parv Chhath Pooja : Ug Ho Suraj Dev

A Photo Blog Story Over Chhath Puja. India.&.USA

Kharna Celebration at Virginia State USA. photo Sunita Upadhyay

Prayer for the sun for prosperity.Virginia State.USA : photo Sunita Upadhaya.

Doosari Aarag at Rukka Dam Ranchi : photo Ashok Karan.

Sun rising at Haridwar Ghat. Vratee for Chhath Pooja Celebration : photo Ajeet 

a staunch belief of Chhat Maiya over threat for blessings. Nalanda