Noida / Greater Noida West: The four-day Chhath festival has started. Nahay Khay and Kharna were observed and celebrated with huge devotion among the Poorvanchal people. On the first day of Nahay Khay, the devotees performed the puja. They prepare rice, lauki chana dal which is eaten together with the family. That marked the start of the Chhath Mahaparva.
On the second day, the devotees worshipped the Kharna. In that, the residents worshipped and prepared the kheer poori prasad. A lot of people invited everyone especially the people from the other community to come and feel the depth of this fast.
On the third day of the great festival, there is the evening arghya. During this time, Arghya is offered to the setting sun. This is given at Arghya river, pond and places around your house.
On the fourth day of the great festival, there is the morning half day. During this time, Ardha is offered to the rising sun. With this, the four-day-long Chhath festival ends.
Rajneesh Nandan, Resident of Parashavnath Prestige says, “Our fasting started with taking a holy dip in Brij Ghaat, which is 2nd stop of Ganga ji. My mother passed this as a legacy to my wife Anamika, who has been doing this fast with full dedication and respect for 18 years.
Arghya is the holy dip
He says, “We do this arghya and pooja inside our society. Arghya is given in standing in the water and 5 rounds are taken, so it is important to stand inside the water. We need clean water and in the swimming pool, the water is not clean often. The Gangajal is mixed in the water and we give arghya with milk.”
Nirjala fasting is observed after Kharna
People have their faith and when their wish gets fulfilled, next year they also offer the soop. Daura is a basket and soop is kept in the daurra. Soop consists of all the seasonal fruits. It is like offering what all we have, including fresh fruits etc. After the Paran, the Nirjala Fasting is done. Anamika Sinha, got this in legacy to do the fasting. earlier we used to go to Patna for fasting, but later we started doing it here. In mahaprasaad, We prepare thekua, in purest ghee
Holiest and the purest fasting- Nirjala Chhath Fast
Jay Prakash Yadav, a resident of Greater Noida West, Sector 3 shares his emotions about the festival. He says, “This is the purest festival, we are cooking everything with lots of care. Market-prepared things are not offered to God. we avoid the usage of sugar these days. Everything is prepared with jaggery (gud) no sugar is used. Wooden utensils are used because they are considered the most pure and natural. All those who do Chhath vrat, keep it separate and do not use it for other uses.
He also says that in their family, Jay’s wife Neelam Yadav is observing this fast. She is on nirjala fast, a whole day without fast and no salt no water. His mother passed this legacy and Neelam is now observing this fast.
One cannot eat more than a limit else they will feel thirsty as they will be on nirjala fast. Hygiene level is utmost maintained. A room is dedicated for this pooja, they cannot eat in the same room.
He also gives info that the hygeine level is maintained and the proper care is taken. even the wheat and rice are washed properly and then sun-dried.
This is the oldest pooja, which gives thanks to the nature. The best thing about this is that no idol worship is done in this, no dedicated mantras.
Everything new is used in this pooja, like new clothes, new utensils, and the container for keeping the prasad, nothing is reused.