Read this article to know more about Chaiti Chaat 2024, an ancient Hindu festival celebrated to honor the Sun God. Understand the dates, puja rituals, timings and cultural significance of celebrating the festival.
Chaiti Chhath 2024: Everything you need to know (Photo credit: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Chaiti Chath is a four-day pious festival celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April). The Chhat festival is dedicated to the worship of the sun god Surya and his consort Usha. Devotees observe strict rituals during Chaiti Chas, which involve fasting, bathing in rivers, and offering prayers to the sun god, usually between sunrise and dusk. The four-day celebration is marked by several customs such as strict fasting, prayers, and offering fruits, sweets, and other traditional treats to the sun god.
About Chaity Chat
Chhath Puja is a big festival celebrated twice a year. Celebrated in the month of Chaitra, this festival derives its name from the regional variation of ‘Chaitra’.
When is Chaity Chart 2024?
Chaiti Chhath 2024 will start on April 12, 2024 and end on April 15, 2024.
April 12, 2024 – Nahei Kai
April 13, 2024 – Karna
April 14, 2024 – Argya in the evening
April 15, 2024 – Argya and Paran in the morning
What is Naheikai?
The first day of Chhath Puja is Nahay Khay. In 2024, the April chart’s nahaike will take place on his April 12, 2024. To observe purification, devotees begin their day by taking a ritual bath in a sacred river. They then prepare sattvic dishes that do not contain onions and garlic. This customary sattvic dish is eaten as prasad by the vrat (person performing the vrat) and then shared among the entire family.
Significance of Nahaikai
The ritual bath serves as a symbol of purity of soul and body and prepares the devotees for the subsequent worship of the sun god Surya. Eating vegetarian food that does not contain onions or garlic represents moral rectitude and dedication to religious teachings. Nahai Ke sets the spiritual tone of this celebration by encouraging a sense of purification and devotion, and asking for heavenly gifts for wealth and happiness.
What is Karna?
Karna is the second day of the four-day Chaiti Chaat and will fall on April 13, 2024 in 2024. On the day of Karna, devotees observe complete fasting on Karna, abstaining from food and water for the whole day. In the evening, the Sun God is served Kheer, a sweet dish consisting of rice, milk and jaggery, along with wheat roti (new wheat freshly harvested from the farm). After offering the same to Vrati, the sun god, the fast for the day is completed with it.
Importance of Karna
Karna emphasizes sacrifice, purification, and gratitude to the sun god to sustain life. Preparing and sharing special sweet dishes like ‘kheer’ promotes community bonding and spiritual reflection
What is Evening Argya?
Night Argya is the third day of Chhath Puja and in 2024 Evening Argya of Chaiti Chhath will be observed on April 14, 2024. Vrati fasts from food and water. Special offerings such as thekua, fruits and vegetables are offered at sunset.
It is a unique festival where you can also worship the sunset and express your gratitude.
In the evening of Argyaya, people bring in earthen elephants, decorate them with earthen lights, and pray to the sun god all night long, waiting for it to rise.
Importance of Argya at night
“Evening Argya” symbolizes that gratitude and intention should be there, whether it is present or not. A person must be confident, and in this world changes are only constant.
What is Morning Argya?
Morning Argya marks the final day of the four-day Chaiti Chath festival. In 2024, this will take place on April 15, 2024. Prayers and offerings are made at sunrise, the Vrati distributes prasad to everyone around and also breaks the fast (paran) after its completion.
This is a great festival that not only symbolizes community building and nurturing relationships as important elements of life, but also has deep spiritual meaning.
