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Chhath Puja Celebrations: Celebrations for Chhath Puja are followed for four days continuously with lots of fun and fervor. People specially at Bihar (India) wait for the festival from long time and celebrate each day in the following manner:
Chhath Puja Celebrations:
- Day 1 – Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat) – The first day of the puja is known as Nahai Khai (Bath & Eat), the Vrati (devotees) take a bath preferably in sacred river Ganga and bring the holy water to cook offerings (Prasad) at home.
- Day 2 – Kharna – A whole day fast (without water) – is observed by the vratis (devotees). The vratis end their fast in the evening after performing puja. Offerings (Prasad) are comprises of Rasiao-kheer (rice delicacy), puris (deep-fried puffs of wheat flour) or chapati and bananas – are distributed among family, friends and visitors.
- Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) – Devotees observe fast without consuming water. The whole day is spent in preparing puja offerings. All the offerings are kept in tray made up of bamboo. Offerings comprises of Thekua, coconut, banana and other seasonal fruits.The evening ritual is performed at the banks of river or pond or any clean water body. All the devotees, family, friends and visitors assemble their and the agrahya is offered to the setting Sun. ‘Kosi’ – One of the most charming events during Chhath Puja known as ‘Kosi’ is celebrated at the courtyard of the house after evening offerings. Lightened earthen lamps (diyas) are kept beneath the covering of five sugarcane sticks or 24 sticks (as per local tradition). The same event also takes place at the ghats in the early morning before morning offerings (Arghya).
- Day 4 – Bihaniya Arghya (Morning offerings) – This is the last and final event of the auspicious puja, the devotees again with their family, friends and relatives assemble on the bank of river or pond to offer Arghya (offerings) to the rising Sun. After performing Arghya devotees break their fast. Ginger and Sugar are used by devotees to break their fast (as per local tradition).
