chhath-a-sacred-festival-rooted-in-vedic-and-puranic-lore

The four-day-long Chhath festival, observed in the full moon month of Kartik, has just begun. A sea of devotees gathers at ponds, rivers, and lakes to offer prayers to Lord Surya (the Sun God).

Originally, the festival was primarily celebrated by devout followers in northern India, particularly in Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh. However, over the decades, it has transcended regional boundaries and is now observed not only across the rest of India but also globally.

An in-depth, authentic study of its origins and traditions could enhance public understanding of this revered festival.

While Chhath is often referred to as a "Lok Parva" (folk festival), this term doesn’t fully capture its essence.

The festival has roots in Vedic culture, which honoured and praised the supremacy of the Sun God. Over time, these beliefs intertwined with various Puranic stories and traditions, such as the birth of Lord Skanda (also known as Kartikeya) on the sixth day of the Kartik full moon.

According to legend, Skanda’s six mothers—known as Shashtika Devi or Khashkita Devi—saved his life by nurturing him, and on this day, the gods hailed him as their leader in battle against the demons. In Dharmashastra, this occasion is known as Skand Shashti or Vivaswat Shashti.

Additionally, an ancient tradition of worshipping Lord Surya on the seventh day of the full moon in each lunar month complements this festival.

Chhath is a fascinating blend of Vedic and Puranic stories and traditions. Since both festivals fall close together, they gradually merged over the centuries into what we now call Chhath. Interestingly, the name “Chhath” also refers to the six mothers of Lord Skanda.

This fusion became so prominent that Lakshmidhar, a noted 12th-century scholar from Kannauj, interpreted Kartikeya as another name for the Sun God during the Kartik month, as detailed in his book Krityakalpataru.

 

 

Thus, Chhath is not solely dedicated to Lord Surya, the life-giving force on Earth. According to scriptures, it also honours Lord Skanda, his mother, and his wife Devsena.

The 13th-century scholar Hemadri, in his book Chaturvarga-Chintamani, describes various forms of Lord Surya worshipped on the seventh day of each lunar month.

These forms include Varun (Magh), Surya (Phalgun), Anshumali (Chaitra), Dhata (Vaisakh), Indra (Jyestha), Ravi (Ashada and Shravana), Bhag (Bhadra), Parjanya (Ashwin), Twastha (Kartik), Mitra (Agrahan), and Vishnu (Paush).

In Chapter 11 of the Vrat Khanda, Hemadri advises devotees wishing to worship the Sun year-round to begin their devotions on the seventh day of the full moon in Kartik month, suggesting that the Chhath festival has roots in Chaturvarga-Chintamani.

In the 14th century, Chandeshwar, a renowned theologian from Mithila, stipulated that devotees should worship Lord Kartikeya on the sixth day of the Kartik full moon and Lord Surya on the seventh. He provided detailed instructions on how to perform the fast and rituals.

For centuries, devotees have offered Bhushwa—a sweet wheat laddu made from wheat, ghee, and brown sugar—as prasadam to the gods. Lakshmidhar in Krityakalpataru describes the traditional method of preparing Bhushwa.

Thus, Chhath represents a unique blend of Vedic traditions, Puranic lore, and centuries-old rituals dedicated to both Lord Surya and Lord Skanda.