Chhath Puja 2024: Did you know Chhathi Maiya¡¯s connection to pregnancy and maternity?
Chhath Puja itself involves rituals that honour both nature and fertility, with devotees offering Arghya to the setting and rising sun while standing in rivers, symbolizing life¡¯s cycle and the continuity of family. Families celebrate Chhathi Maiya¡¯s presence through prayer, gratitude, and a belief that she safeguards maternal and newborn health.
Chhath Puja, beyond its grand celebration of devotion to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, holds profound significance for expectant mothers and families hoping to conceive. This four-day festival celebrated predominantly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, is steeped in beliefs around fertility, protection, and blessings for safe motherhood. Many devotees believe that Chhathi Maiya, the goddess honoured during the puja, plays a maternal role by watching over unborn children and providing protection and strength to pregnant women.
Chhathi Maiya's protection
The ancient roots of Chhath Puja are intertwined with reverence for Chhathi Maiya, which is believed to protect the foetus during pregnancy, guiding its safe development and birth. In particular, her blessings are sought during the sixth day of the newborn¡¯s life, a time in Hindu tradition when a protective ritual, known as "Shashti," is observed to invoke the goddess's blessing for the child¡¯s health and safety. This belief holds that Chhathi Maiya oversees the well-being of babies, especially during this delicate period when their immunity is still developing.
Rituals during Chhath Puja, like standing in rivers to offer "Arghya" (water offerings) to the Sun, are performed with intentions that include blessings for fertility, children¡¯s health, and familial prosperity. This devotion to both nature and the maternal goddess strengthens the bond between the festival and maternity. The symbolism of water and sunlight during Chhath is thought to represent purity and growth, nurturing the bond between mother and child.
TV actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee on Chhathi Maiya
TV actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee, who portrayed the role of Chhathi Maiya in the show Chhathi Maiya Ki Bitiya, shared a personal connection to these beliefs, crediting the goddess with blessing her own pregnancy. She revealed that her journey toward motherhood seemed to align mystically with her role, strengthening her faith in the goddess¡¯s protective qualities. Devoleena¡¯s sentiments echo the faith of many devotees who believe that Chhathi Maiya¡¯s blessings bring peace and protection during pregnancy, fostering an atmosphere of gratitude and divine care throughout the festival. In a recent talk show with actor Paras Chhabra, she said, my pregnancy news was confirmed right after I signed the show.
Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja, then, is more than a festival; it¡¯s a heartfelt offering that connects generations, celebrating the hope, protection, and blessings that Chhathi Maiya symbolizes for mothers and families.