Chhath Pooja or Dala Chhath Puja is celebrated for four days which begins on Kartik Sashti. Chhath Puja is also observed as Surya Shashti.
Chhat Puja 2012 dates – Chhath Puja 2012 calendar:
17 November 2012: Chhath Nahai Khai
18 November 2012: Chhath Kharna
19 November 2012: Sanjha Urga Puja
20 November 2012: Subah Urga Puja
20 November 2012: Chhath Paran ritual
Chhath Puja 2012 date in India, USA, Canada, UK, Singapore, Malaysia is – 19 November.
Chhath puja 2012 date in Australia, and New Zealand is – 19 November.
On Surya Shashti or Chhath Puja, Surya Bhagwan (Sun God) is worshipped. Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, Chhath is observed as Surya Shashti. In temples dedicated to Surya bhagwan, Surya Shashti is a main celebrations time. Famous Surya temples are – Konark Surya temple of Orissa and Arasavilli Surya Devalayam in Andhra Pradesh.
Chhath (also called Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, also known as Surya Shashti.[1] The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes.The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath fesival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.
The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and aragh to the setting and rising sun.
Although it is observed most elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal in modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in India. The festival is celebrated in the regions including but not exclusive to the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai and Mauritius.
It is believed that the Maga Purohits (modern days known as Shakya Dwipi Brahmins) were invited by local kings for their expertise in Sun worshiping. They started the tradition of Chhat Puja. Today Chhat Puja is celebrated specially in those places where Shakya Dwipi Brahmins are found.
It is believed that the ritual of Chhath puja may even predate the ancient Vedas texts, as the Rigveda contains hymns worshiping the Sun god and describes similar rituals. The rituals also find reference in the Sanskrit epic poem Mahabharata in which Draupadi is depicted as observing similar rites.
In the poem, Draupadi and the Pandavas, rulers of Hastinapur (modern Delhi), performed the Chhath ritual on the advice of noble sage Dhaumya. Through her worship of the Sun God, Draupadi was not only able to solve her immediate problems, but also helped the Pandavas later regain their lost kingdom.
It is also believed that Chhath was started by Karna, the son of Surya (Surya Putra Karna). Surya Putra Karna ruled over the Anga Desh (present day Bhagalpur district of Bihar) during the Mahabharat Age. He was a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War.
Its yogic/scientific history dates back to the Vedic times. The rishis of yore used this method to remain without any external intake of food as they were able to obtain energy directly from the sun's rays. This was done through the Chhath method.[9] The chhat puja is very popular in Dehri-On-Sone (Rohtas),Patna, Dev & Gaya. Nowadays it is celebrated in approximately all parts of India. Chhath Pooja is also celebrated in Mangalore, Karnataka. People from Bihar & UP celebrate Chhath Pooja on Panambur Beach.
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