New Delhi: Chhath Puja is observed for four days and this year it will be observed from October 28 to October 31. During this festival, strict rituals are observed along with a lengthy fast. Interestingly, this is the only festival in India when the Sun God is worshipped and offered Arghya. A variety of materials are required to carry out the four-day puja. Therefore, it's crucial that you gather all the things in advance because missing even one item from Chhath Puja is considered unlucky.
Chhath Puja Samagri List:
- New clothes should be worn by the entire household, especially the person who is fasting.
- Two big bamboo baskets to keep offerings in Chhath Puja aka dawri.
- To present Arghya to the sun, a vessel made of bamboo or brass is to be utilised.
- Milk and Ganga water for Araghya are to be kept in a set glass, lota, and plate.
- Coconut filled with water
- Five leafy sugarcane stems
- Rice
- Twelve Lamps or Diyas
- Lights, Kumkum and Incense Sticks
- Vermillion
- A banana leaf
- Banana, apple, water chestnut, turmeric, radish and ginger plant, sweet potato and suthni (yam species)
- Betel nuts
- Honey and Sweets
- Jaggery (Jaggery is used instead of sugar to make the offerings to Chhathi Maiya)
- Wheat and rice flour
- Ganga water and milk
- Thekua
The festival is celebrated to seek blessings from the Sun God and pray for a long, happy and prosperous life. It is also believed that it has a healing effect on people who are ill. The main purpose of Chhath Puja is to give the Vrattis more strength, mental clarity, and physical prowess. It is also required to make utmost cleanliness during this festival.