Chhath Puja 2022: Know About The Date, Shubh Muhurat, History, Significance And Celebration

After Diwali, now Chhath puja also known as Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi, and Surya Shashthi festival will be celebrated across the country, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and even in Nepal. The auspicious festival dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and Lord Sun is celebrated for four days - beginning with Nahay Khay and ending with Usha Arghya.

During these four days, the women observe a fast for the happiness and peace of the house and also offer Arghya to the Sun. This year Chhath Puja will be celebrated from October 28 to October 31 across the country.

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Chhath is celebrated to express gratitude to nature and connect with it. People thank the Sun God for supporting and sustaining life on the planet and seek his blessings and protection. The festival of Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, women observe a 36-hour waterless fast for the well-being of their sons and the happiness of the family.

Chath Puja 2022 Timing or Shubhu Muhurut

Chhath Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, October 30, 2022

Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day - 06:31 AM

Sunset on Chhath Puja Day - 05:38 PM

Shashthi Tithi Begins - 05:49 AM on Oct 30, 2022

Shashthi Tithi Ends - 03:27 AM on Oct 31, 2022

Chhahth Puja History and Significance

The festival is celebrated twice a year with full faith and reverence. The first Chhath festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra and the second in the month of Kartik. The festival is dedicated to Sun God.

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This holy festival is also mentioned in mythological scriptures like Ramayana and Mahabharata. This festival has a different significance in the Hindu religion, which men and women fulfil very easily. There are many stories of Chhath Puja, take a look.

A childless king bless with a son after Yagya

According to religious beliefs, a childless king named Priyavrata and his wife Malini did everything to get children but to no avail. The king was disappointed and went to Maharishi Kashyap for help, then he advised the king to perform Putrayeshti Yagya. After which king's wife Malini got pregnant and gave birth to a boy but unfortunately he was born dead.

The news of the dead child of the king spread mourning in the kingdom. It is said that when the king was performing the last rites of his dead child, the Goddess appeared in front of him and said, "I am goddess Shashti Devi, the protector of all the children of the world.' Saying this the goddess touched the dead kid, and a miracle happened the kid became alive. It is said that since then the king announced the celebration of this festival in his kingdom.

Lord Ram and mother Sita Chhath Puja history

There are many stories about how the tradition of Chhath Puja started. According to religious beliefs, Lord Rama and Mother Sita worshipped the Sun God by fasting on the Shashthi of Kartik Shukla on the day of the establishment of Rama's kingdom at the behest of Mugdal Rishi after conquering Lanka. After which, on the day of Saptami, at sunrise, he got blessings from the Sun God by performing rituals.

Chhath Puja began in Mahabharata Era

According to another legend, the Chhath festival started in the Mahabharata period. It is said that this festival was first started by Karna by worshipping the Sun. Karna was a great devotee of Lord Sun and he used to stand in water for hours every day and offer him Arghya. It is believed that by the grace of the Sun, he became a great warrior.

Draupadi observed Chhath Puja fast

According to the legend, Draupadi observed Chhath fast when the Pandavas had lost the entire kingdom in gambling. By observing this fast, her wish was fulfilled and the Pandavas got everything back. It is believed that the relationship between the Sun God and Chhathi Mayya was a brother and sister. That is why the sun is worshiped on the occasion of Chhath.

Four Days of Chhath Puja 2022 Calendar - Dates

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Nahay Khay - October 28 (Sunrise at 06:42 am; Sunset at 06:04 pm)

Lohanda and Kharna - October 29 (Sunrise at 06:43 am; Sunset at 06:04 pm)

Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya - October 30 (Sunrise at 06:43 am; Sunset at 06:03 pm)

Usha Arghya, Parana Day - October 31 (Sunrise at 06:44 am; Sunset at 06:02 pm)

Nahay Khay

The four-day-long Chhath Puja begins with the Nahay Khay tradition which falls on 28th October this year. On this day, devotees who observe fast wake early in the morning take a holy dip in a holy water body and then worshiped the lord Sun before consuming meals. On this day people clean their houses and utensils and start this festival by eating pure-vegetarian food.

Kharna

The second day of the festival known as Kharna falls on 29th October this year. On this day women observe fast without eating food and even a single drop of water from sunrise to sunset. After breaking their fast and making a food offering to the Sun God in the evening the women begin fasting for the third day

Sandhya Arghya

The third day is considered to be the most important of Chhath Puja. On this occasion, there is a tradition of offering Arghya to Lord Surya in the evening and Arghya soup is decorated with fruits, thekua, rice laddus, etc. in bamboo baskets. After this, people who observe fast along with their families offer Arghya to Suryadev, and the setting sun is worshipped and fasting continues throughout the night. Parana is done on the next day after sunrise. The first Arghya of Chhath Puja will be given on 30 October this year.

Usha Arghya

On the fourth and final day which was called Usha Arghya devotees worshipped Sun God and Arghya was given to the rising sun after fasting for about 36 hours. On this devotees stand in the holy and before sunrise to see the Sun God and start praying and giving him offering. The 36 hours long fast is broken after giving Arghya to the Sun.

List of Other Major Festivals and Holidays in October 2022