Chhath Puja 2023: Why Mango Wood Is Used For Cooking Mahaprasad On Kharna Day – News18

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival dedicated to Surya Dev, also known as the Sun God. It is primarily observed by women in Bihar and adjoining Nepal for the well-being of their families. The first day of this festival is known as Nahay Khay. The second day is known as Kharna, which emphasises the cleanliness of the soul and the mind. On the day of Kharna, a mahaprasad is made from the Arwa rice and jaggery. This prasad is prepared on the stove, where mango wood is used as fuel. The question arises as to why only mango wood is used for the purpose of fuel for warming the stove. Deoghar-based famous astrologer Pandit Nandkishore Mudgal told Local 18 about the importance of this wood. He said that as per popular belief, mango wood is considered to be the purest and holiest of all. Therefore, Kharna Prasad is prepared from this wood.

Nandkishore Mudgal also said that the Chhath Puja festival holds special significance in the Hindu religion. This festival is celebrated with much fervour in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

According to Drik Panchang, on the day of Kharna, devotees observe the fast without consuming water, from sunrise to sunset. The fast is opened just after sunset, after making food offerings to the Sun God. The third day of fasting starts after having Prasad on the second day. A full-day fast without water is again observed on the third or main day of Chhath Puja. Offering Arghya to the setting Sun is the main ritual of the third day. It is the only time of the year when Arghya is offered to the setting Sun. The third day of fasting continues throughout the night. Parana is performed on the next day after sunrise.

On the fourth and final day of Chhath, Arghya is offered to the rising Sun and it is known as Usha Arghya. The 36-hour-long fast is opened after giving Arghya to the Sun. The Chhath Puja is also called Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi, and Surya Shashthi. Bananas, dabh nimbu, coconut, sugarcane, Suthani, and Supari are the fruits offered to Chhath Maiya.