Chhath Puja Vidhi: This Festival Celebrated mainly from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are all set to observe their most important festival of the year today. Celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali, Chhath is an ancient festival dedicated to the Sun God.With the rituals actually spanning over four days, Chhath is also considered one of the most difficult festivals. Those doing the puja, mostly women, have to go without food and water for long duration over these four days.

Women offer their prayers to Surya to thank the Lord for sustaining life on Earth. The customary practices of the puja are spread over four days and the rituals include holy bathing, fasting and performing the arghya (offering prayers to the setting and the rising Sun).Since the festivals falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika, it is called Chhath. Women also offer their prayers to Chhati Maiyya or Goddess Usha (Goddess of Dawn).

Chhath Puja 2015 Vidhi and Muhurat Timings

Panchami: November 16

Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day: 06:44
Sunset on Chhath Puja Day: 17:27

Shashthi: November 17

Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day: 06:45
Sunset on Chhath Puja Day: 17:27

On the first day, women take a holy dip in a water body. This is called Nahay khay. Kharna is observed on the second day. On this day, women observe fast and offer prayers to the Sun God. In the evening, kheer and other preparations are distributed among the family members.

On the third day, women prepare prashad and in the evening perform the Sandhya Arghya and the festival concludes with the Usha Arghya on the fourth day after prayers to Goddess Usha are offered.Chhath Puja devotees are also expected to be pure at heart and give up luxurious lifestyle and follow a low-key one during its course.The prasad mainly consists of fruits and sweets. All households observing the rituals make this special sweet, thekua, which is offered as prasad.

In Hinduism, Sun God Surya is considered as the god of all life-force and energy, which is why worshipping Surya is considered to cure many diseases, including leprosy.The Sun God is also said to ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and elders. send picture messages of Chhath Puja to your beloved ones.