Devotees present during the puja in Gudribazar regarding Chhath festival.-Samvad
Ayodhya. On Wednesday, the second day of Chhath festival, women observed Nirjala fast on Kharna. After taking bath in the evening, the fasting women made Prasad of Sathi’s rice and jaggery and bread. Worshiped Sun God and Chhathi Maiya and took Prasad. Throughout the night the group sang songs from Chhathi Maiya like Uga Hey Suraj Dev, Bhail Bhinsarva….
On Thursday, fasting women will observe Nirjala fast and in the evening worship the setting sun at the ghat on the banks of Yamuna. On Wednesday, on the occasion of Chhath, the festival of folk faith, fasting women kept a waterless fast from morning till evening. In the afternoon a new stove was made from pure brick and clay. The whole day, flour was prepared for thekua and dates (sweet and crispy).
In the evening, after receiving the puja prasad of Rasiyav (Kheer) and roti for Chhathi Maiya, the prasad was distributed to the family members. Shanti Devi, a resident of Vasudev Ghat, told that on Thursday, Vrati and other women will make thekua and dates on the earthen stove after taking bath.
After offering Arghya to the setting sun in the evening, Kosi will be filled at home. The four-day festival will conclude with offering Arghya to the rising sun on Friday. Preparations continued throughout the day on the ghats of Saryu, from the city to the countryside.
What is the tradition of filling Koshi?
The koshi is filled after the wishes sought from Chhath Maiya are fulfilled. For this, a large earthen pot with six lamps on it is surrounded by a group of 12 sugarcane plants, giving it the shape of an umbrella. After this it is worshiped in the courtyard itself. In the morning, a sugarcane umbrella is made on the river bank and a big pot with six clay lamps and an elephant made of clay are placed under it and this process is repeated.
