Chhath Puja is a huge festival in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. There is a huge pomp and show associated with the festival and devotees of Chhathi Maiyya fast for 3 days. Chhath Puja is a celebration of devotion to the nature and being grateful for the health and prosperity bestowed upon our families.
Having grown up in Ranchi, Chhath has always been a very important part of my life. From eating delicious lauki-bhaat and kharna ki kheer to waking up early for subah ki arag, there are multiple happy memories associated with the festival. The soop where the fruits, thekua and every pooja samagri is kept while going to the Chhath ghat is offered to Chhathi Maiyya. So, what are these fruits that are a part of the Puja offerings?
Here are 6 fruits that you can add to the soop and dagar.
Daab Nimbu
This special fruit is considered to be Chhathi Maiyya’s favourite. It is always a part of the offerings and animals do not eat this fruit at all. It is added to the puja samagri because it is widely believed that people who offer daab nimbu to Chhathi Maiyya receive energy and strength. It is tangy and sour in taste and it is very nutritious due to being rich in Vitamin C.
Sugarcane
Sugarcane or ganna is again a fruit that is considered a huge part of the celebration. The demand for sugarcane has already increased in the market. The importance of sugarcane fromes from its sweet flavours. It is said that by offering sugarcane, you ensure that the relations in your family remain as sweet as the fruit.
Banana
Anyone who has seen Chhath Puja being performed knows that a whole bunch of bananas is always carried to the ghaat. The fruit is considered auspicious and shubh and is one of Chhathi Maiyaa’s favourite fruits. It is said that offering bananas during the morning and evening argh as well as kharna can give you wealth, power and prosperity.
Panifal
Singhara or panifal is a seasonal fruit that is always a part of Chhath Puja. It is firmly believed that offering singhara makes sure that your family is provided for. Panifal or water chestnut is also a part of the main prasad, and it keeps you full for a long time.
Coconut
Also called Shri Phal, coconut or nariyal is an essential part of the Puja. The reason for its importance is that coconut signifies love and fulfillness. By offering the fruit, you make sure that the jaatak, or the one doing the fast, has his or her family blessed with love and good relations. You can add both tender and dry coconut to the soop.
Supari
Supari stands for auspiciousness or shubhta. Adding supari to your offering means that you are invoking good luck and happiness for you and your family. Supari is considered lucky and is used in many other pooja rituals as well, and its importance in Chhath Puja also remains the same.