Chhat Puja – Dala Chhat

Chhat puja or Dala Chhat is an ancient festival dedicated to Sun God or Surya Bhagwan. Chhat Puja is celebrated in North Indian states especially in Bihar and Jharkhand. In 2009, the date of Chhat Puja or Dala Chhat is October 23. In 2010, the date of Dola Chhath is November 11. Chhat Puja is also celebrated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In Tamil Nadu, North Indian people celebrate Chhat Puja at Coastal regions.

What is Chhat?

The word Chhat means the number 6. As the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu month Kartik (October – November), the festival is referred as Chhat Puja. The festival of Chhat falls a week after Diwali. In Bihar, Dala Chhat is celebrated for four days. On Chhath Puja, Surya dev (Sun God) is worshipped.

Surya Sashti or Surya Shasti Vrata – Bhadrapad Shukla Surya Sashti Vratam

Surya Sashti is the festival dedicated to Surya Bhagawan (Sun God). Surya Sashti is celebrated on the sixth day in Shukla Paksha during the month of Bhadrapad. In 2009, the date of Surya Sashti is August 26.

Though Shukla Paksha Sashti and Saptami are dedicated to Sun God, Bhadapad Shukla Sashti is more auspicious to worship Surya Bhagawan. Ratha Sapthami, Bhanu Saptami and Surya Sashti which comes on Kartik Shukla Sashti (Dala Chat) are other main festivals dedicated to Surya Bhagawan.

During the festival of Surya Sashti, devotees start worshipping Surya Bhagawan before theSunrise. Performers of Surya Shashti Vrata keep fasting on the day and take meal after the puja completes. Aditya Hrudayam and other Surya Stotras or prayers are recited during the observance of Surya Sashti.

Surya Sashti is celebrated with utmost festivity in Surya Bhagawan temple at Konark in Orissa, Arasuvilli Surya Devalayam in Andhra Pradesh and Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat.

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