Jammu, November 6:
The great festival of Chhath, a festival of folk faith, has begun on Tuesday with Nahai-Khai. On the first day of this four-day festival, the fasting women took a pledge to observe Chhath fast after bathing. After this, they offered bhaat of Arwa rice, gram lentils and pumpkin (lauki) vegetable and ate it themselves. Other family members also participated in this.
After Nahai-Khai, the fasting women started preparing for Kharna. During this, the fasting women washed and dried the wheat for Kharna and gave final touches to the earthen stove. During this time, Chhath songs also kept playing in the houses. The fasting women said that their difficult test has started with Nahai-Khai. They are confident that with the blessings of Chhathi Maiya, their fast will be completed smoothly.
There is also a tradition of filling Kosi to fulfil one’s vows on the great festival of Chhath. According to beliefs, a pledge is taken to fill Kosi to fulfil a wish. Also, gratitude is expressed to Mother Goddess during Chhath Puja. To make Kosi, first the basket of Chhath Puja is kept at one place and an umbrella is made around it with the help of four or seven sugarcanes.
Before standing the sugarcane, thekua and fruits etc. are kept on its upper part wrapped in a red cloth. Now a clay elephant is placed inside it and a pot is placed on top of it. Then fruits and thekua, suthani, radish and ginger etc. are kept in this pot. During this time some people also light 12 or 24 lamps inside the Kosi. After this women sing traditional Chhath songs. In the end, havan is done by placing incense etc. in the Kosi and Chhathi Maiya is prayed for the fulfillment of wishes.
