Chaiti Chhath begins in Tarai

By Sanjay Kumar Mishra,Gaur, Mar. 23: The Chaiti Chhath festival has begun in the Tarai districts, including Mithilanchal, from Sunday.

This religious festival is celebrated for four days. Devotees are busy preparing to observe Chaiti Chhath with purity and mutual harmony.

On the first day, devotees bathe and eat clean food. On the second day, Monday evening, they prepare offerings such as rice pudding, bananas, and other items, worship them, eat the prasad ( blessed food), and observe a fast.

According to devotee Mithlesh Devi, the festival concludes with the offering of arghya to the setting Sun on Tuesday and the rising Sun on Wednesday.

The number of devotees celebrating Chaiti Chhath has increased compared to the past, and it is now observed with great enthusiasm and importance, similar to the Chhath festival.

Chaiti Chhath is celebrated in all eight districts of Madhes Province, including Sarlahi, as well as in the Tarai regions of other provinces.

The festival is observed with prayers for family happiness, peace, prosperity, physical well-being, freedom from disease and the fulfilment of various desires.

On the first day, devotees perform the Nahay Khay ritual, which involves bathing and eating pure food. The second day, known as Kharna, falls on Monday. Devotees prepare a rich pudding made from rice, sugar, and milk as prasad to complete the ritual. Wednesday is considered the main day of the festival.

On this day, devotees traditionally offer arghya on riverbanks along with worship materials. The festival formally concludes on Wednesday morning after offering arghya to the rising Sun, a ritual known as Paran.

On the occasion of Chhath, bamboo items such as dhaki and dagri, along with other materials, are offered. Devotees also present thakuwa, bhusuwa, bananas, sugarcane, turmeric, ginger, vegetables and various sweets and fruits to the Sun God. Offerings such as bananas, oranges, coconuts, ginger, thakuwa made from wheat flour, sugarcane, and clay-made worship items are considered symbols of purity.

Pandit Jivaneshwar Jha explained that Chhath is celebrated twice a year, in the months of Kartik and Chait, and there is a religious belief that observing Chhath brings happiness and peace to the home and cures skin diseases.