Chhat Festival : Festival of God Sun

Chhath Parva is one of the important Hindu festivals specially celebrated by natives of Mithila region. This festival is dedicated to god Sun. The Sun is called Surya in Sanskrit and Chhath Parba is thanks giving to lord Surya for sustaining life on earth and to worship him to provide his continuous blessings to mankind.

Janakpur during Chatth Festival. Photo By: Sunit Shekhar

The Sun, source power of nature, considered the god of energy and lord of the life-force, is worshiped in Chhath to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. Hindu people believe sun helps to cure many illness and diseases. Sun is considered as source of healing too. Sun is also considered as token of stability and prosperity. Therefore, people worship sun to ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and beloved ones.

Rani Pokhari during Chatth Festival. Photo By: Sajan Maharjan

The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

Rani Pokhari during Chatth Festival. Photo By: Sajan Maharjan

Chhath Matra (छठ मन्त्र)

एष ब्रम्हा च विष्णुष्च शिव: स्कन्द: प्रजापती: ।

महेन्द्रोधनद: कालो यम: सोमो ह्यपाम्पति: ।।

एनमापत्सु क्रिच्छेषु कन्तारेषु भयेषु च ।

किर्तयन पुरुष्: कष्चिन्नवसिदती राघव ।।।

आदित्य्म सर्बकर्तंरं कलाद्वदाद्शम्युतमं ।

पद्महस्त्द्वयं वन्दे सर्वलोकैकभस्करमं ।।

Govardhan Puja | Mha Puja : 4th day of Tihar

The fourth day of Tihar is Goru Puja, Govardhan Puja, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat. Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra by lifting the Govardhan hill.

Nepal is mostly an agricultural country so oxen are considered important animals as they help in ploughing the fields. That is why on this day they are worshiped with tika, garland and offered nice food. Also this day small hillocks made out of cow dung is worshiped.

History
It is believed that once there was a drought in a village in Vridavan. The villagers were very worried and they wanted to perform a big Puja in honour of Lord Indra, the God of rain. But Lord Krishna convinced them that, they should not pray to Lord Indra since it was the Mount Govardhan that brought the rain and not Lord Indra. This made Lord Indra very angry and in his wrath he sent forth a big thunderstorm to flood the village. Lord Krishan lifted the Mount Govardhan as an umbrella above the village to protect the villagers and their cattle from the rain and flood.

Mha Puja
In newari language (Newa), “Mha” means body. On this day the Newa people worship their inner self in the evening by worshipping themselves. They believe that the soul never dies and our body is only a vehicle and so we need to understand and respect our body as it is the chosen vehicle for this incarnation. This Puja is believed to bring prosperity and physical well-being.

Laxmi Puja : 3rd day of Tihar

The third day of Tihar is “Laxmi Puja” where reverence is shown to the Goddess Laxmi by placing small oil lamps or candles inside and outside their homes. They pray for prosperity and well-being for their families and businesses.

According to legend, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and Vishnu's wife, visits her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings. Devotees believe the happier the Goddess Laxmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.

History
According to Hindu Holy epics, goddess Laxmi is the daughter of rishi Bhrigu. When gods were sent to exile by the demons she took refuge in the ocean of milk. She was found during “Samundra Manthan”. Goddess Laxmi is believed to be the goddess of good fortune, wealth, beauty, and light.  It is said the blessing of Laxmi is always with those who do hard work.

Source: Wikipedia

On Laxmi Puja in Nepal, people buy gold and silver, precious gemstones, new utensils of copper, brass and bronze as a sign of good luck, prosperity, money and wealth. These are then used to Laxmi at night. Nepalese people perform this worship at a place cleansed with holy water, cow dung and red mud; they light the whole house with candles and lamps. From Laxmi Puja, Deusi and Bhailo is played by gathering with friends.

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Kukur Tihar : 2nd Day of Tihar

Tihar is one of the biggest festivals of Nepal celebrated by the Hindus. This festival is celebrated for five days, focusing on the relationship of human with different creatures and God.
The second day of Tihar is an interesting one, the day in which dogs are worshiped and honored. Dogs are considered to be loyal friend of humans. But this is not the only reason why they are worshiped on this day. The reason behind worshiping dogs during Tihar has some historical reasons and significance too.

Source: Bhakti Rasayana

According to Rigveda, a sacred book on Hinduism, Samara (the mother of dogs) had assisted Indra ( The Lord of heaven) in retrieving stolen cattle.
According to another hindu mythology dogs are considered as the messenger of Lord Yamraj, the God of Death.  A dog is also said to guard the gates of the afterlife.

Source: theodysseyonline.com

On the day of Kukur Tihar, people offer mala (garland made of flowers) , tika (sacred colored powder) and delicious food to the dogs. People cherish the strong bond between humans and dogs on this day.

 

Not many would know the mythological reason behind celebrating this festival. However, these days people give more importance to this festival because of the relationship they have with their favorite pet.  Those who do not have a pet at home go in search of stray dogs and put garlands and tika to them. Even the dogs are excited when they are offered delicious food early in the morning but until the day end, they are so much pampered and obsessed with food that they don’t  give a glance even to their favorite food.

Via vegmagazine.net

So how are you pampering your dog today? And how are you celebrating this festival? Do share with us.