Chhath Puja 2021: Four Day Festival Starts With ‘Nahay Khay’ From Today, Devotees Gather To Take Holy Dip

The festival is marked with the ritual of ‘Nahay Khay’ and will be observed on Monday where devotees on fast take a bath, wear clean clothes and make prasad for the Sun God

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New Delhi: Celebrated after Diwali, the four-day-long festival of Chhath has started from Monday and is observed by people belonging to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The festival is dedicated to Surya Bhagavan (Lord Surya) and is also popular in Nepal where followers worship Lord Surya for the well-being, development, and prosperity of their family members over a period of four days.

At the start of the Chhath festival, devotees gathered at the banks of rivers to take the early morning bath. In Delhi, people reached the Yamuna river in Kalindi Kunj to take a dip. However, the water in the Yamuna is now filled with toxic foam amid heavy smog.

The Delhi government has declared 10th November 2021 as a public holiday on account of Chhath Puja.  The festival is also celebrated in other parts of the country as well. Even as Chhath is celebrated twice in the year, the one in the month of Kartik (according to the Hindu calendar) comprises extensive rituals.

How is the festival celebrated?

Chhath involves the offering of 'Arghya' by fasting women to the Sun god in knee-deep water. The festival is marked with the ritual of ‘Nahay Khay’ and will be observed on Monday. Devotees, who keep fast on this day take a bath, wear clean clothes and make prasad for the Sun god.

On this day chana daal and kaddoo bhaat (pumpkin rice) is popular offering to Lord Surya while people offer a prasad of kheer made with gud (jaggery) and arwa chawal (rice) next day. The second day is considered the toughest as the devotees begin nirjala (without water) fast which lasts for 36 hours.

The fast continues till the third day when devotees don't even drink a drop of water. On this day, devotees offer thekua in prasad, and the Sun god is offered arghya in a water body. The fast continues through the night and on the final day as people offer prayers to the rising Sun (Usha Arghya) standing in knee-deep water.

Delhi announces a public holiday on November 10

On November 5, the Delhi government declared November 10 as a public holiday this year on the account of Chhath Puja. Last year, celebrations were marred due to Covid-19 restrictions. The festivity is popular with Purvanchalis (natives of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) who settled in the capital city in huge number. They form a major vote bank in the city because of which the festival remains a significant event for political parties.

The Delhi government is organising Chhath Puja at about 1,100 places, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said last week.