Chhath Puja Samagri List 2024: Essential Items for a Complete Chhath Celebration

Chhath Puja is a deeply revered Hindu festival celebrated primarily in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and certain parts of Nepal. Dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhath Maiya, it’s known for its strict rituals and practices. Observed for four days, this festival requires a series of offerings and observances, making the Chhath Puja Samagri (items) list critical for a complete and successful ritual. This guide covers the traditional items required, along with detailed explanations of each one’s significance in Chhath Puja.

Importance of Chhath Puja Rituals and Practices

Chhath Puja requires intense discipline, lasting for 36 hours, during which devotees (especially women) fast and observe specific rules. The Samagri list plays a crucial role, as every item is believed to hold special spiritual significance, representing gratitude and devotion to the Sun God.

Essential Chhath Puja Items for 2024

Dala and Soop: Essential for arranging all other puja items, these bamboo-made baskets are preferred over metal for their traditional value. Today, some people opt for metal alternatives, but bamboo remains the ideal choice, embodying simplicity and devotion.

Thekua: This sweet, crispy snack, made with wheat flour, jaggery, and dry fruits, is symbolic in Chhath Puja. Fried in ghee or oil, it’s a must-have offering and is considered incomplete without it.

Coconut: Both green and dry coconuts are essential. They are added to the dala as a symbol of devotion and purity, with the quantity often reflecting a devotee’s vow to Chhath Maiya.

Gagar Lemon: Unique to Chhath Puja, Gagar lemons are often cultivated for this festival. This lemon, large and round, is added to the offering for its symbolic connection to Chhath.

Arka Leaves: These are circular cotton-like leaves used in the puja as symbols of reverence to Surya Dev. Often dyed red, they’re placed in each basket or soop, representing purity and devotion.

Sugarcane Stalks: Integral to the ritual, sugarcane stalks are placed in every basket. They’re a representation of growth and nourishment and are critical for completing the traditional arrangement.

Banana Bunch: A banana stem with multiple bananas is essential. Its presence in the soop symbolizes abundance and prosperity. The number of bananas may vary based on the devotee’s vows.

Betel Leaf and Areca Nut (Paan-Supari): While offering Arghya (offering of water to the Sun), devotees hold betel leaves and areca nuts. They symbolize purity and devotion, connecting the devotees with their spiritual roots.

Kerav (Wild Peas): Native to India, wild peas are soaked and placed in the soop. It’s an unbreakable tradition to include them, symbolizing fertility and harmony.

Additional Important Chhath Puja Items

In addition to the primary items, the following are also essential for a complete Chhath Puja setup:

Radish, Sweet Potato, and Turnip (Suthni): These are symbolic of grounding and purity and are added to the basket.

Ginger with Leaves and Turmeric Roots: These raw roots, included in the puja, represent purity and are traditional elements offered to the deities.

Singhara (Water Chestnut): Representing water’s life-giving qualities, this seasonal fruit is added to the offerings.

Fruits: Seasonal fruits like apples, oranges, pineapples, and pomegranates are used as offerings, symbolizing abundance and gratitude.

Traditional Sweets: Key sweets such as khaja, batasha, and cheeni pak are especially valued during Chhath Puja. These traditional treats reflect the simplicity and purity of the festival’s spirit.

Key Rituals During Chhath Puja 2024

Each day of the four-day festival holds unique significance and requires precise rituals:

Nahay Khay (November 5, 2024): Devotees cleanse themselves, marking the festival’s start with purity and discipline.

Kharna (November 6, 2024): A day of strict fasting, broken only after evening rituals, followed by a meal shared with family.

Sandhya Arghya (November 7, 2024): The main ritual, where devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun, expressing gratitude.

Usha Arghya (November 8, 2024): The concluding ritual, where Arghya is offered to the rising sun, completing the puja with heartfelt prayers.

Essential Guidelines for a Successful Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is filled with rules and traditions to maintain sanctity:

New Clay Stove: During the puja, a new clay stove is used for cooking the offerings. If using gas, ensure it is used exclusively for Chhath Puja.

Cleaning Rituals: Thoroughly clean all grains, and keep them protected from contamination. Foot contact with these grains is strictly prohibited, as it is believed to offend Chhath Maiya.

Use of Traditional Utensils: Only use brass or clay utensils; avoid steel, glass, and plastic items for puja purposes.

Dietary Restraints: In the days leading up to Chhath, avoid foods like onion, garlic, meat, and alcohol to maintain purity.

Chhath Puja’s rituals are a blend of reverence, purity, and unwavering discipline, all rooted in deep cultural and spiritual significance. The festival is not only an offering to Surya Dev and Chhath Maiya but also a display of gratitude for life’s abundance. Adhering to the traditional Samagri list and performing the rituals with devotion helps ensure blessings of health, prosperity, and happiness.

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