Country gears up for Chhat Puja celebrations

16 November, 2012

Chhat Puja is just a few days away and the national capital is gearing up for the celebrations. Banks of the rivers are cleaned up in preparation for the Puja and an elaborate security arrangement is also laid in place to prevent any ugly incident.

CHHAT PUJA or Chhat festival is an ancient Hindu festival mainly dedicated to the Sun god. Chhat puja is performed to thank God Surya for blessing us with life and devotees also ask him to fulfil their wishes. Sun God is considered as god of energy and is worshiped by Hindus to provide well-being, happiness, prosperity and progress.

Bihar Jan Jagruti Samiti founder, Mahinder Rai said, “The preparations have been going on from last few months. Those who keep fast, they purify themselves. It is a big adoration, sun's adoration, the sinking sun is worshiped. It is celebrated all over the world, wherever our NRIs stay.”

Rai said that the government of Delhi has assured a smooth affair and expressed hope that the government will provide all kinds of assistance. Rai, however said that places are yet to get a finishing touch, but hoped that things will not be done in haste.

Rai added, “Delhi Government team came to us; they inspected the canal and rituals of chhat puja and they promised us to help us as much they can, but there is difference between to say something and to do something. The meeting took place before Diwali; we went there and saw the preparations are not enough, after two or three days they will do everything in hurry.”

Chhat puja holds significance in Hinduism and worshiping Sun is believed to cure several diseases like leprosy and ensures longevity and prosperity of one's family members, friends and beloved ones. The rituals of Chhat puja are quite rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. The devotees take holy bath and go on fast and do not even drink water.

Chhat puja is widely celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and easterm Uttar Pradesh as well as in Terai regions of Nepal. The festival is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujrat, Delhi, Mumbai and North-east India, reported nnis.