Chhath Puja Samagri: Sacred Offerings for Divine Blessings
Chhath Puja, a significant festival celebrated in honor of the Sun God (Surya) and his consort Usha, is observed mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and some parts of Nepal. It is a four-day festival that involves rigorous rituals, fasting, and the offering of prayers to seek blessings for health, prosperity, and the well-being of family members. The Chhath Puja Samagri, or the materials required for the puja, are carefully chosen to ensure the proper conduct of the rituals and to please the deities. These offerings not only hold symbolic significance but are also believed to enhance the spiritual power of the ceremony.
The most essential Chhath Puja Samagri includes a bamboo basket called “Kula” or “Baya”, which is used to carry the offerings made to the Sun God. This basket is usually filled with fruits, grains, and other sacred items. Thekua, a traditional sweet made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, is one of the main prashads offered during Chhath Puja. Thekua is considered an important food offering to the deities and is placed in the Kula along with other food items.
The sugarcane is another essential part of the puja, often arranged vertically in the Kula to symbolize prosperity and strength. Bananas and coconut are also crucial offerings, symbolizing abundance and blessings. Lemon and green chilies are placed to ward off evil forces and negative energies, ensuring protection for the devotee and their family. Pulses like chana (gram) and sattu are also included, which are believed to enhance the ritual’s spiritual power.
A water-filled pitcher (Kalash) is used to represent the Sun God’s energy and is placed alongside the offerings. Fresh flowers, especially marigolds and lotus, are essential in adorning the puja area and offering respect to the deities. A small clay lamp (diya) is lit during the ritual to invite divine blessings and dispel darkness. During the evening rituals, milk, sugar, and water are also offered to the Sun God as a symbol of gratitude and devotion.
Rice and roli (sacred red powder) are also used in the puja for the tilak, symbolizing purity and auspiciousness. The devotees perform the rituals standing in water, often at riverbanks or ponds, with the basket of offerings raised towards the setting or rising Sun. The preparation and offerings during Chhath Puja, involving these sacred materials, are believed to bring health, happiness, and prosperity to the family.
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