Chhath Puja has immense importance in Hinduism. It is celebrated twice a year; i.e. once in the month of Chaitra (Chaiti Chhath) and other in the month of Kartik. Chhath Puja during Kartik is more significant when compared with Chaiti Chhath; however, the later is celebrated with great spirit in numerous places.
Chhath Puja is celebrated for Lord Surya (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Chhath is celebrated on the third day today. The third day of worship is an important day for offering “Arghya” to the setting sun. Mothers perform a strict fasting ritual without water and pray for their children’s long life and bright future. To offer Arghya on the third day of Chaiti Chhath, devotees stand waist-deep at sunset to pray to the Lord Surya, either on a river or pond water . Let us learn about the timing of Arghya and the worship process on the third day of Chhath.
Timing For Evening Arghya
Today, on April 3rd, is the evening Arghya of Chaiti Chhath. The Arghya shall be performed at 6:40 PM today to the Sun God.
Chaiti Chhath – Day Three
Method of ArghyaIt is considered auspicious to perform the evening Arghya on the third day of Chaiti Chhath. The devotee offers the Arghya to the Sun God as he is setting. The devotee places a bamboo basket with Tekua (sweet), fruit, radish, rice laddus, sugarcane, and other items in the water while in the water, waist-deep. The devotee performs the Arghya ceremony to the Sun God in the proper practice and offers the items in the basket while praying for the prosperity of their children.
How To Perform Arghya To The Sun
Today, devotees are waist-deep in water worshipping the Sun God. To offer Arghya to the setting sun, take a water vessel, fill it with water, put a few drops of raw milk, red sandalwood, flowers, Akshat (unbroken rice), and Kusha grass. Then, pour it slowly into the water chanting sun mantras.
Arghya To The Rising Sun On The Fourth Day Of Chaiti Chhath
On the 4th day of Chaiti Chhath, it is April 4th. On this day, after you would have to offer Arghya to the rising sun at 6.08 am, the fast comes to an end. The strict 36-hour fast comes to an end, and after the prasad is taken, devotees are able to break the fast.
