Chhath Mahaparva has started from 17th November. Chhath fast is considered to be the most difficult fast. It is believed that Chhathi Mata fulfills all the wishes of women who follow the rules of Chhath. Sun God is worshiped in Chhath Puja. This festival lasts for four days. The second day of Chhath festival is called Kharna. Kharna means purification. There is a tradition of making Chhath Puja Prasad on the day of Kharna. On this day sunrise will be at 6.46 am and sunset will be at 5.26 pm.
Importance of Kharna
On the day of Kharna, women keep fast for the whole day. On this day, Prasad of Chhathi Maiya is made. Jaggery kheer is made on this day. The special thing is that halwa is made on an earthen stove. After the Prasad is prepared, the fasting women consume it first, after which it is distributed. Lord Surya is worshiped on this day. Next day at sunset the devotees reach the river and ghat. Where Arghya is offered to the setting sun. During this time, Arghya is offered to the Sun God with water and milk. Besides, women observing fast on this day also sing songs of Chhathi Maiya.
Kharna rules
1. Help the needy
The Prasad made on the day of Kharna should be given to the needy people. This pleases Chhathi Maiya and the person attains virtue.
2. Wear new and clean clothes
Kharna Prasad should be made wearing clean clothes. Instead, clean clothes should be worn all four days.
3. Offering Arghya from a copper vessel
There is a tradition of offering Arghya to the Sun during Chhath Puja. Take special care of the vessel from which Arghya is offered to the Sun God. This Arghya should be given to fasting women in a copper vessel only.
4. Pay special attention to cleanliness
Pay special attention to cleanliness during Chhath Puja. If you are making Prasad for Chhath Puja, then take special care. Keep washing your hands and do so with complete hygiene.
story of sixth festival
Karna worshiped Sun God
According to belief, the great festival Chhath started during the Mahabharata period. This worship was done by Surya’s son Karna. Karna started worshiping the Sun God. According to the stories, Karna was a great devotee of Lord Surya. He used to stand in waist-deep water for hours every day and offer water to the Sun. The reason behind his becoming a great warrior was the grace of the Sun. Even today this method of offering Arghya is prevalent in Chhath.
Ram and Sita worshiped the Sun
According to a mythological folk tale, when Lord Shri Ram returned after conquering Lanka, Ram Rajya was being established. Ram Rajya was being established on the day of Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the day Lord Ram and Mother Sita worshiped the Sun God. By performing the rituals again at sunrise on Saptami, he sought the blessings of the Sun God. It is believed that this tradition has been going on since then.
