Chhath Puja 2024| When is Pehla Aragh & Dusra Aragh | Significanc e & Legend

Chhath puja date and significance 

By Intimate Viewpoint 

This year, Chhath Puja starts on the 5th of November or on Tuesday and will last on the 8th of November I. e. on Friday. 

The devotees will observe Nahay Khay on the 5th of November, the Khanna will be performed on the 6th of November, the Pehla Aragh will be on the 7th and the last day and the Dusra Aragh will be on the 8th of November. 

The significance

After Diwali, people start preparation for Chhath Puja (the major festival in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and also in some other cities of India where there is population from Bihar and Jharkhand). Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun god (the extreme source of energy and the ultimate source of life). It is a festival of beliefs and devotions. The whole festival is based on strict rituals.

It is believed that during this festival whoever puts forward his wishes before Chhath Maa, all his wishes are fulfilled and it is also believed that if anyone commits even a small mistake during this festival, he gets furnished immediately. Therefore, this festival is celebrated very carefully and with utmost devotion, and all the rituals are followed properly.

The Legend

How and when did this festival start? 

Chhath Puja is considered a Mahaparv which means the grand festival. No other festival is called 'Mahaparva'. The festival of Chhath puja has been performed in India since ancient times. There are many legends about the beginning of this festival. One of these Legends is Lord Rama and Sita's Chhath.

It is said that Lord Rama and Sita performed Chhath after returning from 14 years of exile. They performed Chhath to aton their sins. After that, the people of Ayodhya adopted this practice.

The second Legend is about Draupadi. Draupadi was a great devotee of the Sun god. She kept a fast and did this pooja to seek the blessings of the Sun god for Pandavas when they were in exile. She performed Chhath to commemorate the victory of The Pandavas in the war of Mahabharat.

The other legend is about Kunti. It is said that the Chhath Puja was performed by Kunti after she and her five sons escaped from Lakshagruha. It is also believed that she got Karna as the blessings of the Sun god after performing a fast and worshipping the Sun god.