Chhath Puja 2021 Day 3: Devotees to offer Arghya to Surya Dev in evening, know all the rituals
The Chhath mahaparva is an annual four-day festival celebrated six days after Diwali or on the sixth day of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar.
The festival is unique to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Devotees observe a nirjala vrat (fasting without water) during this festival and offer Arghya to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Devta. It is believed that during Chhath, deities fulfil all the wishes of the devotees.
Today, November 10, is the third day of Chhath Puja. A full day fast without water will be observed by the devotees today. The ritual of Sandhya Arghya is also performed on this day, also known as Kartik Shashthi. People worship the Sun God and offer Arghya in the evening. Offering Arghya to the setting sun is the main ritual of the day. It is the only time of the year when Arghya is given to the setting sun. On the third day, fasting continues throughout the night. Parana is done on the next day after sunrise.
During the ritual of Arghya, people place fruits, soups, and a lit lamp in a bamboo basket and offer them to the setting sun. Bamboo baskets hold a special significance in this festival. Additionally, Chhathi Maiya is offered prasad like banana, Thekua, Malpua, Kheer-Puri, dates, semolina pudding, rice laddus, and more. Devotees wear new clothes on this day.
After offering Arghya in the evening on the Shashthi, people pray to the Sun God and sing songs of Chhathi Maiya at night. After this, on the day of Saptami (day 4), before sunrise, devotees reach the ghats early in the morning. After reaching the ghat, before sunrise, they offer Arghya to the rising sun, pray to the Sun God and then break the long and arduous fast.
Chhath Puja Shashthi Sandhya Arghya time:
On the third day of Chhath Puja, the sunrise will happen at 6:40 am, and the sun will set at 5:30 pm. The devotees can offer the second Arghya to the Sun God before this.
The Chhath Puja is also known as Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi and Surya Shashthi.