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Devotees across Bihar and other parts of India are observing Kharna, also known as Lohanda, on Saturday, November 14, marking the second day of the four-day Chhath Puja festival.
The occasion involves a day-long fast, traditional food preparations and evening prayers dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.
Devotees, known as ‘vratis’, observe a fast throughout the day and take a ritual bath before preparing the traditional Kharna offerings in the evening.
The prasad mainly includes jaggery-based kheer made with newly harvested rice, along with roti, fruits and other seasonal items. Families prepare the food while maintaining cleanliness and religious purity.
After completing the evening prayers and offering the prasad to the deities, devotees consume it and distribute it among family members and others.
The ritual holds special significance as devotees seek blessings for their families’ health, happiness and prosperity, particularly the well-being of their children.
After Kharna prasad, devotees begin a strict 36-hour fast without food or water, ending after the final morning prayers. They prepare kheer with jaggery in an earthen pot over a traditional clay stove, following age-old customs.
Devotees believe pure offerings and sincere prayers please Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.
Chhath Puja concludes on November 16. Devotees will offer Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun on November 15, followed by Usha Arghya at sunrise on November 16. They will then break their 36-hour fast with Parana.
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