Consider the following statements regarding Chhath Puja: It is an impo...
Chhath Puja: A Hindu Festival
Introduction:
Chhath Puja is an important Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor and devotion. It is primarily dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his wife, Usha. Chhath Puja is widely observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal. The festival holds immense significance and is celebrated with various rituals and customs.
Statement Analysis:
Let's analyze the given statements regarding Chhath Puja to determine their correctness:
1) It is an important Hindu festival dedicated to Ganga River: Incorrect
Chhath Puja is not specifically dedicated to the Ganga River. It is primarily dedicated to the Sun God and his wife, Usha. The festival involves offering prayers and various rituals to seek blessings for the well-being and prosperity of the devotees and their families. The rituals are carried out near a water body such as a river, lake, or pond, but it is not specifically focused on the Ganga River.
2) It involves no idol worshipping unlike most of the festivals of the Hindu religion: Correct
Chhath Puja is unique among Hindu festivals as it does not involve idol worship. Instead, the festival revolves around the worship of nature, particularly the Sun God. Devotees offer their prayers directly to the Sun God, following a rigorous fasting and purification process. The rituals include standing in water during sunrise and sunset, offering prayers, and making offerings of fruits and sweets. The festival is deeply rooted in the belief that the Sun God is the provider of life and energy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, statement 1 is incorrect as Chhath Puja is not specifically dedicated to the Ganga River. However, statement 2 is correct as Chhath Puja involves no idol worship, making it unique among Hindu festivals. It is important to have a clear understanding of the various Hindu festivals and their significance to appreciate the rich cultural and religious diversity of India.
Consider the following statements regarding Chhath Puja: It is an impo...
The great festival of Chhath started recently and is celebrated with great rituals and devotion.
About Chhath Puja:
- It is an important Hindu festival celebrated in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- This festival is dedicated to God Surya and his sister Shashti Devi, often referred to as Chhathi Maiya, and it involves religious rituals.
- The most unique feature of this Chhath Puja is that there is no Murti Pujan or Idol Worshipping, unlike most of the festivals of the Hindu religion.
- The festival is celebrated between the months of October and November.
- The Chhath festival begins as the Diwali festival ends.
- It is celebrated for four consecutive days and celebrated with great reverence and dedication.
- The first day of the Chhath Puja includes taking a dip in the holy river/any water body. People also take the Ganges water to their homes to perform special offerings and rituals. Houses are thoroughly cleaned on this day.
- The second day of Chhath, also known as Kharna, involves devotees observing a day-long fast, which is broken in the late evening after performing the worship of Mother Earth. The offerings to God include rice pudding (kheer) and fruits, which is distributed among family members and friends.
- The third day of Chhath goes into the preparation of the prasad (offerings) for the evening offerings, also known as Sanjhiya Arghya. In the evening, large numbers of devotees gather on the banks of rivers and make offerings (Arghya) to the setting sun. The night of the third day witnesses a colorful event known as Kosi. A canopy is made from sugarcane sticks, and lighted earthen lamps are placed inside the canopy along with baskets filled with prasad.
- On the fourth and final day of Chhath, family members and friends go to the banks of rivers before sunrise and make offerings (Arghya) to the rising sun. After this ritual, devotees break their fast and distribute Prasad to neighbors and relatives.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
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