Chhath Puja

Chhath

Nepal is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural country. So, the people do observe multi dozen feasts and festivals. Out of them, Chhath is one. It is the only festival that the people of all the religious in the Terai region of Nepal do celebrate.

In this festival, sun is worshipped with immense honour and with huge respect. Sun is regarded as God. During the Chhath Festival the rising and setting sun is worshipped. It is no wonder to worship the sun because it is source of endless of heat, light and power.

The festive mood commences from the Shukla panchami. On this day, the women prepare special dishes specially the rice pudding. Thakuwa, Bhusuwa, fruits and vegetables and so on are other items to add the rich varieties. They offer these items to the god and also distribute to their families and kith and kins as the pious Prashad. In the evening, the people-not only women, but also men, duo old and young, rich poor, married and unmarried all go to the river or near-by pond. The women stand in waist-deep holy water and worship the setting sun will the offerings. They stay whole night on the river bank or pond, singing the hymn and dancing. The next day, they all again worship the rising sun and return their homes with the Prashad. They invite for the festive party and the Prashad to their friends and relatives. They exchange their best wishes and greetings each other on the pious occasion.

The legend the Chhath has that in the ancient time; there was a king who was suffered from leprosy and TB. He tried his best treatment to cure the diseases but in-vain. A scholar advised the king to worship the sun. The king did strictly as per the suggestion offered. Consequently, after five years, he got complete recovery. Since then, people have been celebrating this festival with a great faith that the sun-the god maintains peace and harmony, good health and hygiene and progress and prosperity. Thus, the people of different walks of life regardless of their age, class and sex, began to worship the sun and have sun-bath. In course of long tenure of time, this festival came to be called the Chhath.

Source: Brush Of Your English

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