On 30-10-2022, CHAAT PUJA ,was celebrated mainly by ‘BIHARIS’ living anywhere in India or abroad. Very few people know why is puja done on this day. On this day Sun diety – Surya, his wife and sister (Chaati maiya), are offered prayers, with purity & devotion to show gratitude & thankfulness for bestowing bounties of life on earth. Although nowadays puja is done only by ladies for the welfare & long life of their husband. First time, this was celebrated by Karan, son of Surya Dev and Kunti mata. Karan was king of Angadesh, now Bhagalpur Bihar, therefore its a festival of Bihar & U.P. Initially it used to be 4 day puja, but now only wives fast, do 16 shringar and offer prayers, after bath on the ghat and then pray to Sun God.
DIWALI : Shiv Mandir was decorated with lights and flowers to welcome and celebrate the return of Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Laxman ji back to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. In the evening at 6pm, 108 deepak were lit by pujaris, mandir committee members & devotees and arti with full astha was done followed by prasad vitran of Halwa & pakore.
GOVARDHAN PUJA Lord Krishna advised Gokul residents that they should not worship Indra devta which they were doing till then, instead worship Almighty God. Since the advice was followed, Inder Devta decided to destroy food, agriculture and harm mankind with devastating rain. Lord Krishana lifted Govardhan Parvat on His ittle finger, asked everyone to come under shelter. All cows also could be accommodated under the parvat. When Inder Devta saw that his prakope, could do no harm to anyone , he came to senses and realized that Krishan kanhaiya is lord Vishnu himself. He begged for forgiveness from the Lord. Finally a feast with 56 bhog was there. In Shiv Mandir, chappan bhog was prepared and served and enjoyed by 500-600 in mandir and around 1000 took food home. Food was prepared for 1500-1600 people. Its a popular saying ’56 bhog food will never fall short’. This is what was experienced in Shiv Mandir. Kheer was given as prasad after katha in the evening.
Bhai Dooj: On this auspicious day, which falls on 2nd lunar day of Shukla paksha in kartik month Hence on bhaiya Dooj, sister welcomes bhaiya with tika of roli or Chandan and ties moli on his right wrist. With deepak in plate arti utarti hai.
In olden days, in order to know about the welfare of his married sister, brother used to go to her susral. This day was nominated because-Yamraj and yamuna nadi are offspring of Surya Devta. After Yamuna’s marriage, brother yamraj being busy, could not go for a long period to his sister’s place. Finally he went on this day. Sister Yamuna was overjoyed and welcomed and prayed for him. Brother Yamraj was very happy and asked her for vardan. Sister asked him to promise that he will come every year on this day. Since then this day is celebrated as “BHAIYA DOOJ”.
Contribution by Dr Pabley 9810029927
