Chatt pooja is a Hindu festival celebrated especially by Biharis. The event occurs twice a year – once, on the sixth day of ‘Chaitra’ (as per the Hindu lunar month) which falls in the month of March and secondly in ‘Kartik‘, which falls in November or remembered as an occasion a week after Diwali. The word “Chatt” means the number six in Hindi It is, however, not concentrated in Bihar but is equally popular in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and in some northeast regions of India. People in parts of Nepal, particularly in the Terai region, also celebrate this festival.
Other parts of India too do not remain untouched by this festive colour. Biharis migrated from their native place to several parts of the country celebrate them with equal zing. Chatt Pooja has been recognised on national level. Where the Delhi government has sanctioned holiday for this day, Mumbai witness unofficial jam packed beaches.
The Chatt festival is dedicated to the Sun god. It is a belief that people worship Sun and thank Him for bestowing the bounties of life in earth and fulfilling their wishes. It is also a faith that the prayers of the devotees on this occasion are always answered; and the sinners get punished for their any wrong doings. It is celebrated for three-four days. During this occasion, the worshipers, usually women, observe ritual purity. They sleep on the floor on a single blanket or a mat. They pray and fast for the well-being of their family and prosperity. On the eve of this festival, houses are scrupulously cleaned. The worshippers observe a fast from dawn to the dusk. On the occasion, the entire family accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun god, usually on the bank of a river or a large common water body. The devotees take a holy dip.
Throughout the festival, the food prepared is totally vegetarian, without even onions and garlic. On Chatt, women of the family recite regional folk songs and entertain themselves with the family members. Friends and relatives are invited to the household to share the ‘prashad’ of the ritual.
But the question that eggs up in my mind is whether there any specific scientific reason backing the worship of sun during this period of the year?
Other parts of India too do not remain untouched by this festive colour. Biharis migrated from their native place to several parts of the country celebrate them with equal zing. Chatt Pooja has been recognised on national level. Where the Delhi government has sanctioned holiday for this day, Mumbai witness unofficial jam packed beaches.
The Chatt festival is dedicated to the Sun god. It is a belief that people worship Sun and thank Him for bestowing the bounties of life in earth and fulfilling their wishes. It is also a faith that the prayers of the devotees on this occasion are always answered; and the sinners get punished for their any wrong doings. It is celebrated for three-four days. During this occasion, the worshipers, usually women, observe ritual purity. They sleep on the floor on a single blanket or a mat. They pray and fast for the well-being of their family and prosperity. On the eve of this festival, houses are scrupulously cleaned. The worshippers observe a fast from dawn to the dusk. On the occasion, the entire family accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun god, usually on the bank of a river or a large common water body. The devotees take a holy dip.
Throughout the festival, the food prepared is totally vegetarian, without even onions and garlic. On Chatt, women of the family recite regional folk songs and entertain themselves with the family members. Friends and relatives are invited to the household to share the ‘prashad’ of the ritual.
But the question that eggs up in my mind is whether there any specific scientific reason backing the worship of sun during this period of the year?
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