Karmandir 
Why it is celebrated
The four-day Chhath festival begins with Nahay-Khay on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. Those keeping the vrat bathe in a river or pond, clean the home and eat one pure, sattvic meal. Chhath is offered to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, and is kept with deep faith in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the Terai of Nepal.
The story
A well-known Chhath story comes from the time of the Ramayan. Folk belief says that after the victory in Lanka, when Shri Ram and Sita Mata returned to Ayodhya, they kept a vrat on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and worshipped Surya Dev. For Shri Ram, born in the Suryavansh, the Sun was like the family's own deity.
In Munger, Bihar, people believe that Sita Mata kept the Chhath vrat right there, in the Ganga. The Sita Charan temple stands on a rock in the middle of the river; the rock is believed to carry her footprints, and devotees still go there for darshan.
The story carries a big lesson of Chhath: a vrat begins with purity. Just as Sita Mata kept the vrat with a pure heart and clean ways, on Nahay-Khay those keeping the vrat bathe, purify the home and eat a simple meal as they step into this great festival.
Puja vidhi
- Bathe in the morning in a river, pond or at home, and clean the whole house and kitchen.
- Cook on a clay stove or a well-cleaned stove; many homes burn mango wood.
- Make arwa rice, chana dal and lauki (bottle gourd) sabzi with rock salt and ghee; no onion or garlic at all.
- Before eating, bow to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya and offer the food as bhog.
- The person keeping the vrat eats first, then the rest of the family eats it as prasad.
Food
Kaddu-bhaat: arwa rice, chana dal and lauki sabzi cooked in ghee with rock salt.
Wishes to send
Warm wishes as Chhath begins! May Chhathi Maiya give strength and patience to everyone keeping the vrat.
WhatsAppFrom this holy day of Nahay-Khay, may purity, peace and joy enter your home.
WhatsAppWith the aroma of kaddu-bhaat and the songs of Chhath, the great festival begins! Jai Chhathi Maiya.
WhatsAppMay Surya Dev's rays fill your home and courtyard with light. Happy Chhath Puja!
WhatsAppMay these four days of faith, service and devotion be blessed for your family.
WhatsAppPranam to all the mothers and sisters keeping the vrat. May Chhathi Maiya's blessings be with everyone.
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