Suryaa Now National News Desk: The four-day Chhath festival, dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, has reached a significant stage. Devotees across the country, including Bihar, performed the sacred Kharna ritual on Saturday, marking the commencement of a 36-hour waterless fast.
Following the Nahay Khay ceremony, the second day of the festival is considered the most important. After fasting without food or water throughout Saturday, devotees performed ritual baths, wore new clothes, and offered prayers to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.
The Kharna prasad, prepared with strict adherence to purity and tradition, consisted of kheer made from cow milk, jaggery, and rice, along with wheat flour rotis. In accordance with sattvic practices, ingredients such as onions and garlic are prohibited. Devotees consumed the prasad in a silent environment, as tradition dictates that any noise or interruption during the meal requires the devotee to stop eating immediately. Following the consumption of this prasad, devotees began a 36-hour waterless fast that continues until the end of the festival.
Preparations for the remaining rituals are underway, with families preparing traditional sweets such as Thekua, Gujiya, and Tikri, alongside offerings of bananas, apples, oranges, and other items. These offerings are arranged in bamboo baskets and trays to be taken to riverbanks, ponds, and designated ghats. The festival concludes with the offering of Arghya to the setting sun on Sunday evening and the rising sun on Monday morning. Devotees observe these strict rituals for the well-being of their families, children, and the welfare of the world.