Patna, Oct 25: The four-day Chhath Puja festival commenced today with the observance of ‘Nahay-Khaay’, a ritual that marks the beginning of one of the most spiritually significant festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal.

‘Nahay-Khaay’, which literally translates to “bathe and eat,” is a day of purification and preparation.

Devotees take a ritual bath in rivers, ponds, or other clean water bodies, cleanse their homes, and consume a single sanctified vegetarian meal. This sets the tone for the rigorous fasting and spiritual discipline that follows in the days ahead.

The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess believed to be the consort of the Sun. It is a tribute to the life-sustaining energy of the sun and a prayer for health, prosperity, and family well-being.

Markets across the region were bustling with devotees purchasing essentials like bamboo baskets, sugarcane, fruits, and earthen lamps. Local authorities have ramped up security and sanitation measures at ghats and public spaces to ensure safe celebrations.

The next major rituals in the Chhath Puja sequence include ‘Kharna’, ‘Sandhya Arghya’ (evening offering), and ‘Usha Arghya’ (morning offering), culminating in prayers at sunrise on the final day.

Dedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasises purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

The four-day celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification, faith, and self-control:

Day 1 – Nahai Khai: The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves. They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings, emphasising cleanliness and sanctity.

Day 2 – Kharna: On this day, devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset. They prepare offerings of jaggery, rice, and wheat, breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity. The 'prasad (ritual food offerings)' is then shared with family, friends, and neighbours to promote unity and community spirit.

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya: Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer 'arghya' (prayers and offerings) to the setting Sun. They present fruits, sugarcane, and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on Earth.

Day 4 – Usha Arghya: The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun. Devotees break their fast after making offerings, symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth. The prasad is distributed among family and community members, marking the end of the rituals.