People from central North India, precisely Bihar and UP are celebrating the holy festival of Chhath. A festive celebration that worships and respects the Sun God, is being celebrated with much enthusiasm from October 31 and will go on till November 3 this year. There are several traditional customs and rituals behind this worship of the Sun God which need to be followed well. Sun God (Surya Devta) and Chatthi Maiya (Sister of the Sun God), the sources of life and energy that run the world, are worshipped on this day. People express gratitude towards the existence and seek blessings from the Sun God and Chatthi Maa. For Chhath Puja 2019, we give you all the dates, schedule and rituals that are to be followed on each day. Happy Chhath Puja 2019 Images and HD Wallpapers for Free Download: WhatsApp Messages, Chhath Puja Pictures, Greetings, SMS and Wishes to Send Everyone.

Chhath puja almost takes four days, and people observe a strict fast without water. The rituals also include the holy bath at sunrise and sunset, eating satvik food before the fast and standing in cold river water during the sunset and sunrise to pray the Sun Gods. The Puja Samgri and other items are a tough task to collect and take to the banks of the river in a big basket on the head. If you are planning to observe Chhath Puja this year, it is essential to know the Chhath tithi, days and schedule. Let's discuss the Chhath Puja schedule and date for 2019. Happy Chhath Puja 2019 Wishes: WhatsApp Stickers, SMS, Chhathi Maiya and Dinanath Images, GIF Greetings, Quotes to Celebrate Chhath Ka Mahaparv.

Chhath Puja Date and Thithi 2019

Every year, Chhath Puja is celebrated two times. The first time(Chaiti Chhath) it is celebrated in the summers and second time (Karthik Chhath) in winters. The one approaching is the Karthik Chhath that is celebrated during the month of October or November, every year, as per the Gregorian calendar. As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on Kartika Shukla Shashti (the sixth day of the month of Karthika). For simpler understanding, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the 6th day after Diwali. Whereas the Chaiti Chhath is celebrated a few days after Holi. Chhath Puja 2019 Kosi Bharne ki Vidhi: How to Get Your Wish or Mannat Fulfilled by Filling Kosi While Observing Chhath Vrat (Watch Video).

As per Gregorian calendar, the Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 31 October to 3 November 2019. Surya Shashthi aka the main day of Chhath Puja will be celebrated on 3 November 2019. Here is a detailed list of each day of Chhath Puja, dates and rituals:

Nahay Khay (Thursday 31 October 2019)

This is the first day of the Chhath Puja when the devotees take a dip (Nahay) in the holy river. For convenience, people go to any nearby river. The people going to observe a fast have to cook a proper meal for themselves and eat it that day. The meal includes Lauki and Bhaat (Bottle Gourd and Rice) along with Channa dal (Lentils). Traditionally, it is supposed to be cooked by using mud or bronze utensils, on a mud stove using mango wood. After this, the devotees are not supposed to eat anything.

Lohanda and Kharna (Friday 1 November 2019)

This is the second day of the devotees observing a fast for an entire day. During this time the people keeping a fast prepare prasad, including kheer and chapattis. This is the food they will use to break their fast with and after this, and they have to fast without water for 36 hours, straight.

Sandhya Arghya (Saturday 2 November 2019)

The third day involves the devotees preparing the prasad (Thekua) at home and then in the evening before sunset, the entire family goes to the riverbank with the one observing the fast to offer their prasad to the Sun God. The women fasting have to wear new clothes, preferably yellow in colour and enjoy the evening with folk songs and games. Chhath Puja 2019 Hindi Wishes: WhatsApp Stickers, Facebook Wishes, Greetings for Sandhya and Usha Arghya Images, SMS, Quotes to Celebrate the Chhath Vrat. 

Usha Arghya (Sunday 3 November 2019)

This is the final day of Chhath when the devotees with the whole family go to the riverbank again before sunrise. They offer prayers and prasad to the Sun God. The people fasting can finally break their fast, and on the riverbank, the women apply sindoor to each other while exchanging prasad.

Chhath festival is known to involve several strict rituals and is also considered extremely difficult to pursue. Taking dips in cold rivers during the chilly hours of the day while observing a strict fast, isn't easy. Devotees also stand and offer prayers in the cold water while holding a heavy basket of prasad (offerings).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2019 09:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).