Devotees Observe Sacred ‘Kharna’ as Chhath Puja Fervour Grips Jharkhand

by Apurva Priya 

The holy fervour of Chhath Puja swept across the Jharkhand as devotees observed the sacred ‘Kharna’ ritual on Tuesday evening with deep devotion.

Performed after sunset on the second day of Chhath, Kharna marks the beginning of a 36-hour waterless fast. Devotees prepare a traditional offering — Prasad of jaggery kheer, rice, and fruits — to the Sun God, sharing it with family and neighbours before starting their fast.

“From this moment, the devotee—called Parvaitin— abstains from both food and water till the final sunrise offering,” said Hindu priest Mukesh Pandey, explaining the significance of the ritual.

The four-day-long Chhath festival, which began with Naha-Kha (ritual bath and meal), is one of the most disciplined and eco-centric festivals of India, dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. It symbolises gratitude to the Sun for sustaining life on earth and is believed to fulfill heartfelt wishes.

On the final day, devotees throng rivers and ponds before sunrise to offer Arghya to the rising Sun, singing devotional Chhath geet and praying for the well-being and prosperity of their families. The offerings — rice, fruits, sugarcane, and Thekua — are arranged in bamboo baskets covered with saffron cloth, symbolising purity and devotion.

Pandey noted that the festival reflects truth, purity, compassion, and discipline — values that transform communities during Chhath. “Even criminals turn calm during these four days,” he smiled, “such is the sanctity of Chhath Maiya.”

Across the state, ghats and ponds glittered with lamps as families gathered to celebrate Kharna — the ritual that marks the spiritual midpoint of Chhath Puja, blending faith, tradition, and the collective spirit of devotion.