By Ujjainee Roy
November 5, 2024
Chhath Puja, is dedicated to worshipping the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. During this festival, devotees offer an arghya to the setting and rising sun while standing in water. Milk holds a special place in this ceremony as it symbolizes purity, nourishment, and devotion. The milk used in arghya is considered a divine offering, symbolizing gratitude and reverence for the Sun God, who is believed to bestow health, vitality, and prosperity. Learn more about the 'Arghya Milk.'
Milk is seen as a symbol of purity in Hindu culture. By offering it to the Sun God, devotees express their wish for a life of prosperity, peace, and purity. Offering milk in arghya is a way of asking for these blessings for oneself and one’s family.
During Chhath Puja, devotees undergo rigorous fasting and follow strict rituals to purify their bodies and minds. Milk in the arghya is believed to help in further spiritual cleansing and aligns with the goals of purity and devotion.
Religious scriptures narrate that Lord Krishna advised his son to offer Arghya milk as a way to lift a curse. Inspired by this, devotees hold the belief that offering milk can aid in overcoming challenges and obstacles in life.
Milk is derived from livestock and represents the agricultural abundance in a devotee’s life. Offering milk is a way of acknowledging the blessings of nature and the cycles that sustain life.
In Vedic rituals, milk has long been used in offerings to deities as a sacred, life-giving substance. This tradition is honored in Chhath Puja by using milk in the arghya, linking ancient practices to contemporary beliefs.