‘Kharna’ the 2nd day of Chhath being observed today

KATHMANDU: Kharna is the name given to the second day of the Chhath festival. Fasting people take a bath and clean themselves on this day, and in the evening they make kheer (rice pudding) and offer it to the moon.

On Kartik Shukla Panchami, vratalu (who observes fast) who have completed both ‘Araba-Arabine’ and ‘Nahaay-Khaay’ rituals will fast on Saturday afternoon and eat Araba rice kheer cooked in Sakkhar (jaggery) at night as prasad to deity and Chhathi Maiya.

Tritiya and Chauthi fell on Friday this year due to the date change. Vratalu completed the ritual of ‘bathing and eating’ on Friday at the start of the festival. On the fourth day of Kartik Shukla, the ‘Nahaay-Khaay’ method is performed. On Kartik Shukla Tritiya, Friday, vratalu performed ‘Araba-Arabine.’

Shashti Tithi is observed by fasting on Sunday and, in the evening, going to the reservoir where the ghats have been prepared, dipping the part of the body up to the waist in the water and offering argha to the sunset.’ It is known as ‘Sanjhiyaghat.’

After offering argha to the rising sun on Monday morning, the Chhath festival is celebrated the following day, on Saptami.

There is a widespread belief that Chhat Puja will be ineffective if performed without cleanliness, abstinence, and celibacy during the Chhath fast. The Chhath fast is also regarded as a difficult fast. Bhagwati Devi (Chhathi Maiya), who is born from the sixth part of nature, is specially worshiped during Chhath.

There are stories in Devi Bhagavata about Chhathi Maiya bestowing sons on those who have none, wives on those who have none, and wealth on those who have none.

Chhath preparations in full swing in Madheshi.

The residents of Terai Madhesh including Janakpurdham are now fully engaged in the preparations for Chhath festival.

There is a crowd in the market for the purchase of Chhath festival puja material.