Chhath Puja, a significant and highly revered festival, is dedicated to the worship of Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with immense devotion, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, this four-day festival is observed to offer gratitude to the Sun for sustaining life on Earth and to seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
The rituals and offerings made during Chhath Puja are considered essential and must be performed with utmost devotion. Below is a comprehensive list of all the items required for performing the Chhath Puja in 2024.
Chhath Puja Samagri List: Essential Items
- Bamboo Baskets and Trays:
Bamboo baskets and trays, often referred to as “daura” and “soop,” are used to hold various offerings like fruits, sweets, and other puja items. These baskets are considered sacred and symbolic in Chhath Puja rituals. - Betel Nuts, Betel Leaves, and Raw Turmeric Roots:
Betel nuts (supari), betel leaves (paan), and raw turmeric roots are considered essential offerings during the puja. These are offered as part of the traditional items to Chhathi Maiya. - Coconut:
Coconuts are important offerings during the rituals, especially when devotees offer “arghya” (water offering) to the rising and setting Sun. The coconut, placed on top of the bamboo soop, symbolizes purity and devotion. - Fragrant Flowers and Garlands:
Fresh flowers and garlands are used to worship Surya Dev. The fragrance and beauty of flowers like marigold, lotus, and roses add a divine aura to the puja setup. - Jaggery and Rice:
Jaggery (gur) and rice are essential ingredients used to prepare the sweet prasad, which is later distributed among devotees. The sweetened rice dish made with jaggery is offered to the Sun God during the puja. - Sugarcane Sticks:
Sugarcane sticks are a must-have during the Chhath Puja. They are not only used as offerings but also represent a prosperous harvest and the importance of agriculture in people’s lives. - Oil Lamps and Cotton Wicks:
Diya (oil lamps) lit with cotton wicks soaked in ghee (clarified butter) are a crucial part of the puja. These lamps are placed in and around the offerings to invoke blessings and create a spiritual environment. - Clarified Butter (Ghee):
Ghee is used to light the diya during the rituals. The lighting of the lamps signifies the dispelling of darkness and ignorance, bringing in divine light and knowledge. - Wheat Flour Sweets (Thekua):
Thekua is the most traditional sweet dish prepared during Chhath Puja. Made with wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, it is a beloved prasad that is offered to the deities and distributed among family and friends. - Sacred Water (Ganga Jal):
Sacred water from the Ganges (Ganga Jal) is used for purity and sanctity during the rituals. It is sprinkled around the offerings and used during the “arghya” ceremony to maintain the holiness of the puja. - Seasonal Fruits:
Fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and others are offered to the Sun God as part of the ritual. These fruits symbolize abundance and are essential for the completion of the puja. - New Clothes or Saree:
New clothes, especially a saree, are offered to Chhathi Maiya during the puja. Devotees also wear new or freshly washed clothes while performing the rituals to signify purity. - Clay Elephant:
A clay elephant is kept as a symbolic representation during the Chhath Puja rituals. It holds a special place in the offerings made to Chhathi Maiya and represents stability and good fortune. - Seven Types of Fruits:
Seven different types of fruits are offered during the puja to signify diversity and abundance. These fruits are presented to both Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya as part of the offerings. - Wooden Baskets or Trays:
Wooden trays or baskets are used to carry the prasad and other puja materials to the riverbank or other water bodies where the “arghya” ceremony is performed.
Additional Items for Chhath Puja
- Incense Sticks, Camphor, and Agarbatti:
Incense sticks and camphor are used to add fragrance to the ritual area, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. - Vermilion (Sindoor) and Red Kumkum Powder:
Sindoor (vermilion) and kumkum are used for decorating the ritual setup and applying on the forehead of women who observe the fast during Chhath Puja. - Dates and Sugarcane:
Dates and sugarcane are important offerings made to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya during the rituals. They hold special significance and are considered auspicious.
Significance of Chhath Puja Samagri
Every item used in Chhath Puja has deep spiritual and cultural significance. The bamboo baskets symbolize the connection with nature, the thekua represents traditional values, and the fruits and flowers stand for the abundance bestowed by the Sun God. The diya and ghee signify purity, while the sacred water from the Ganges represents holiness and cleanliness.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is a celebration of faith, purity, and gratitude. The meticulous preparation of the Chhath Puja samagri is a testament to the dedication of devotees in maintaining the sanctity of this festival. Each item used in the rituals plays a crucial role in expressing reverence toward Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, ensuring that the festival is observed with sincerity and devotion.
With the detailed Chhath Puja Samagri list, devotees can ensure they have everything needed to perform the rituals and offer their prayers in 2024, invoking blessings for health, wealth, and prosperity.