Happy Chhath Puja 2017: Significance, time, why Hindus celebrate
The Puja is observed to thank the Sun God for his protection and seek his blessings along with good health and happiness.
This year Chhath Puja will begin from October 24 and continue till October 27. The main puja will be observed on October 26.
Chhath Puja or Chhath Parva. Chhath Puja is celebrated in devotion to the Sun God Surya Shashti, or Dala Chhath, and his wife Usha, who is also known as Chhath Maiya.
Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, but with many people from those states moving to Delhi, it has become an important festival in Delhi as well.
The
Puja
is
observed
to
thank
the
Sun
God
for
his
protection
and
seek
his
blessings
along
with
good
health
and
happiness.
It
is
celebrated
on
the
sixth
day
in
the
month
of
Kartik
of
the
Hindu
calendar.
The
Shashthi
Tithi
will
begin
at
9:37
am
on
October
25
and
finish
at
12:15
pm
on
October
26.
On
the
day
of
the
main
puja,
the
sun
is
expected
to
rise
at
6:41
am,
while
sunset
will
likely
happen
at
6:05
pm.
The history of Chhath Puja has its roots in the two epics Mahabharat and Ramayan. It is believed that Draupadi along with the Pandavas, upon advice from the noble sage Dhaumya, performed Chhath Puja.
As she worshipped the Sun God, Draupadi saw all her problems disappear and the Pandavas were able to win back their lost kingdom. Another belief is that as Sita was returning to Aodhya with Lord Ram, she observed a fast and prayed to the Sun God in the month of Kartik. Chhath Puja has become a significant festival for Hindus ever since.
OneIndia News