Mumbai: The vibrant festival of Chhath Puja, celebrated with great fervour not just in India but around the globe, honours the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya through heartfelt rituals. This Hindu festival, held on the sixth day of the Kartik month’s Shukla Paksha, brings communities together in devotion and worship.
One of the key days in this festival is known as Kharna, where devotees observe a rigorous day-long fast, breaking it only after sunset with a special offering of kheer (rice pudding) and wheat flour roti, both prepared with love and reverence.
This year, Kharna falls on November 6, 2024, marking a significant point in the Chhath Puja festivities. According to the Hindu Panchang, sunrise will be at 6:37 AM and sunset at 5:30 PM, ideal times for the Kharna rituals. Devotees start their evening worship by offering Arghya, or water, to the Sun, as a gesture of gratitude and respect. This day is also blessed with Sukarma Yoga, which lasts until 10:59 AM, followed by Dhriti Yoga, both considered auspicious for performing rituals.
Kharna Puja Muhurat
Sunrise: 6:37 AM
Sunset: 5:30 PM
Sukarma Yoga Ends: 10:59 AM
Dhriti Yoga Begins: 11:00 AM
Rituals for Kharna Puja
- Devotees begin by thoroughly cleaning the puja area and taking a bath to ensure purity. Clean attire is essential for the ritual.
- Before sunset, devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun, expressing their gratitude and reverence.
- Special kheer made from rice, jaggery, and milk is prepared on a clay stove. This prasad is first offered to Chhathi Maiya.
- After the puja, devotees break their fast with the prasad, marking the end of the day’s fast.
Guidelines for Kharna
- To observe Kharna properly, devotees adhere to specific guidelines:
- The prasad must be prepared with utmost cleanliness and is typically cooked on a clay stove in a brass vessel.
- Devotees refrain from consuming anything until the Arghya is offered in the evening.
- As part of the tradition, devotees do not sleep on beds but on mats placed on the ground.
Significance of Kharna
The second day of Chhath Puja, or Kharna, symbolises purity and marks the start of a 36-hour fast without water, reflecting a blend of physical and mental dedication. The ritual is believed to purify the body and mind, preparing devotees for the deeper observances of the festival.
