New Delhi: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Lord Surya (Sun) and celebrated with great devotion and tradition. This year, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from November 5 to November 8, 2024, throughout India and Nepal. It is a four-day festival that where follows a series of rituals performed by devotees for health, wealth, and overall well-being. This festival is of deep cultural and spiritual importance, especially for residents in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
On the occasion of Chhath Puja, people play Chhath songs or geet that are dedicated to Chhathi Maiya. These songs represent the deep faith and cultural richness of Indian folk music. These traditional folksongs, especially from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, are an important part of the Chhath Puja festivities.
With the lyrical narratives that revolve around the worshipping of the Surya Devta, Chhath Maiyya ke Geet evokes feelings of reverence, thankfulness, and spiritual harmony. The soulful folksongs, which are often accompanied by instruments such as the dholak and harmonium display the tradition that represents the beauty of Indian culture and its diversity.
Chhati Maiyya ke Geet
Here are some of the Chhati Maiyya ke Geet or Chhath songs that you can play during Chhath puja to display the essence of the festival:
The festival begins with a ritual bath and a meal that comprises rice, kaddu ki sabzi, and chana dal, which symbolises purity and spiritual cleansing. This day is called Nahay Khay which was celebrated on November 5, 2024. The next day marks the ‘Kharna,’ where devotees keep a day-long fast that is broken after sunset with chawal ki kheer and roti.
The third day is observed as the ‘Sandhya Arghya,’ which is an evening prayer offered to the setting sun during which devotees gather by the river Ganges or holy water bodies to perform this ritual.
The festival comes to an end with the ‘Usha Arghya,’ the morning prayer offering to the rising sun. On this day, the devotees conclude the fast, bringing the festival to a positive culmination.
