Chhath Pooja (Hindi: छठ, also called Dala Chhath)

Chhath Pooja

Pictures of Jamuna Ghat, Delhi (Kalindi Kunj)

None of the above pictures are "Me", Just Random captures and contibution (Last 2) by VK

Chhath (Hindi: छठ, also called Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, also known as Surya Shashti. The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. The Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath fesival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. In Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders.
The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and aragh to the setting and rising sun.
Although it is observed most elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal in modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in India.


There is also a yogic process of Chhath that may have been associated with the religious observance of Chhath puja. All the traditional rules of Chhath puja have also got some strong scientific reasons behind it & by following that maximum benefits can be gained.

The Yogic Philosophy of Chhath

According to yogic philosophy, the physical bodies of all the living organisms are highly sophisticated energy conducting channels. The solar bio-electricity starts flowing in the human body when it is exposed to solar radiations of specific wavelengths. Under particular physical and mental conditions, the absorption and conduction of this solar-bio-electricity increases. The processes and the rituals of the Chhath puja aim at preparing the body and the mind of the Vratti (devotee) for the process of cosmic solar energy infusion.

The scientific process similar to Chhath was used by the Rishis of yore for carrying out their austerities without any intake of solid or liquid diet. Using a process similar to the Chhath puja, they were able to absorb the energy needed for sustenance directly from the sun, instead of taking it indirectly through food and water.

The retina is a kind of photoelectric material, which emits subtle energy when exposed to light. Hence, very subtle electric energy starts flowing from the retina. This energy (photo-bio-electricity) is transmitted from the retina to the pineal gland by the optic nerves connecting the retina to the pineal gland, leading to its activation. The pineal gland is in close proximity with the pituitary and hypothalamus glands (together, three glands are called Triveni) due to which, the energy generated in this process starts impacting these glands. Consequently, the pranic activity becomes uniform, giving the Vratti good health and a calm mind.

Stages of Chhath (Conscious Photoenergization Process)

According to Yoga philosophy, the process of Chhath is divided into six stages of the Conscious Cosmic Solar Energy Infusion Technique (Conscious Photoenergization Process).

Stage 1: Fasting and the discipline of cleanliness leads to detoxification of the body and mind. This stage prepares the body and mind of the Vratti (devotee) to receive the cosmic solar energy.

Stage 2: Standing in a water body with half the body (navel deep) in the water minimizes the leak of energy and helps the prana (psychic energy) to move up the sushumna (psychic channel in the spine).

Stage 3: Cosmic Solar Energy enters the Vratti’s pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus glands (Triveni complex) through the retina and optic nerves.

Stage 4: Activation of Triveni tri-glandular complex (pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus).

Stage 5: A kind of polarization happens in the spine, which results in the Vratti’s (devotee) gross and subtle bodies getting transformed into a cosmic powerhouse. This can also lead to the awakening of the latent psychic energy popularly known as the Kundalini Shakti.

Stage 6: The body of the Vratti (devotee) becomes a channel which conducts, recycles and transmits the energy into the entire universe.

Benefits of Chhath process

The Chhath process results in detoxification
The Chhath process stresses mental discipline. The discipline of mental purity is a result of this work. By employing a number of rituals, the vrattis focus on maintaining the cleanliness of the offerings and environment. Cleanliness is the most dominant thought that prevails in the minds of all the devotees during Chhath.
This has a great detoxification effect on the body and the mind as mental moods can result in biochemical changes. Now comes the physical detoxification. The fasting paves the way for detoxification at a material level.
Detoxification helps in regularizing the flow of prana and makes the person more energetic. The natural immune system of the body spends much of its energy in fighting the toxins present in the body. By using the detoxification methods such as pranayam, meditation, yoga and Chhath practices, the amount of toxins present in the body can be reduced to a great extent. Thus, with reduction in the amount of toxins, the expenditure of energy also reduces and you feel more energetic. It improves the appearance of the skin. The eyesight can improve and the ageing process of the body slows down.

Benefits of Chhath Puja

Photo-electro-chemical effect: physical benefits
The Chhath practice improves the immunity of the Vratti’s body.
Antiseptic effect: Safe radiation of sunlight can help cure fungal and bacterial infections of the skin.
Raktavardhak (increase in fighting power of blood): As a consequence of the practice of Chhath, the energy infused in the blood stream improves the performance of white blood cells.
The solar energy has a great influence on the glands, which results in balanced secretion of hormones.
Energy requirements are met by the solar energy directly. This will further detoxify the body.
Photo-electro-psychic effects: mental benefits
A state of creative calmness will prevail in the mind.
To a great extent, all negative responses have their origin in the disturbed flow of prana. With the pranic flow regularized, the duration and frequency of occurrences of anger, jealousy, and other negative emotions will be reduced.
With patient and sincere practice, the psychic powers like intuition, healing, and telepathy awaken. This depends on the concentration with which the practice is undertaken.

Daily sun meditation (Chhath process)

In the fast lifestyle of the present times, it may not be possible to follow the Chhath process very often. The detoxification can be undertaken through pranayam, yoga, meditation and Conscious Photoenergization Process known as Chhath Dhyan Sadhana (CDS).
Chhath Dhyan Sadhana (CDS): Conscious Photoenergization Process
Assume a comfortable position (standing or sitting) with back and spine straight. With eyes closed, face the Sun. Inhale completely, as slowly as possible. Do not strain in making the breathing slow. Maintain your comfort level. As you breath in, visualize (feelingly experience) the cosmic solar energy entering through your eyes and moving to the pineal gland through optic nerves and charging the pineal–pituitary–hypothalamus complex. Now, as you exhale, visualize the cosmic solar energy flowing down the pineal gland and spreading throughout your body with a revitalizing effect.
Thus, the process starts with inhalation and ends in exhalation. This constitutes one round. It is suggested to start with five rounds (two minutes), and increase it time permitting. On completion of the practice, thank the Sun for bestowing upon you the life giving solar energy. Thereafter, sit quietly for a minute, observing the good things in the environment around.
CDS should be practiced within one-hour window after sunrise or within one-hour window before sunset. Any person of any age can practice CDS. If you wish to practice CDS at any time other than sunrise or sunset, do not practice it in front of Sun. You can however, practice CDS in a room. Even a bed-ridden person can try and consciously draw in the solar energy while lying on the bed. With regular practice, he/she will notice an improvement in physical and mental health. For those who are not comfortable facing the sun, they can practice the technique in any room having proper ventilation. If you have time, you can also practice it twice a day. Do not hurry in increasing the number of rounds, as there are no shortcuts to success in this method. The nervous system of the body takes its own time in adapting and to be able to receive the energy.
Significance of emphasis on sunrise and Sunset periods
Only sunrise and sunset are the periods during which the majority of humans can safely obtain the solar energy directly from the Sun. However, there may be some exceptions. That is why, in Chhath puja, there is a tradition of offering Arghya to the Sun in late evening and in early morning. During these phases (one hour window after sunrise and before sunset), the ultraviolet radiation levels remain in safe limits.



Extract from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhath

Also to be kept in mind that the water of Yamuna are not so hygienic, its literally a lot of efforts to be in a dirty drainy river at around 7Am in the morning half submerged, hats off to the people who do this, however I feel hygiene is important and there can be hygienic ways to accomplish the same.

Yet again this like all other blogs is not to hurt the feelings, sentiments of any individual, person or community, however this is just a collection of what I have browsed looking for an article, and perhaps some real pics.


as stated in India Today:


The river Yamuna no longer flows through the Capital. What we see is a glorified drain, with more sewage and little water.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) told the Supreme Court on Friday that Yamuna has almost ceased to exist in Delhi with no fresh water but the flow was maintained by treated and untreated water from the Najafgarh drain.

"For major part of the year, river Yamuna does not flow downstream of Wazirabad barrage as all the river water upstream of the barrage is ponded (sic) for water supply in Delhi. Yamuna flows after confluence of Najafgarh drain downstream of Wazirabad barrage," the CPCB said in its interim report to the apex court which is monitoring the cleaning drive of the river.

CPCB counsel Vijay Panjwani submitted before a bench presided over by Justice Swatanter Kumar at the outset that Yamuna, after the Wazirabad barrage was merely a drain. "You mean there is no river water?" Justice Kumar asked. Panjwani said river water at the barrage was diverted to treatment plants for water supply.

He further pointed out that 37 per cent of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Delhi were under-utilised as they did not receive sewage because of lack of drainage system in many areas. Giving three weeks for a final report, the court said it expected definite suggestions with respect to the drainage system and the manner in which pollution could be controlled to change 'dirty' Yamuna to clean Yamuna in the larger interests of people.

The facts presented before the apex court, however, did not come as surprise to the experts and environmentalists who have been campaigning for a cleaner, lively Yamuna for years. "Nothing can be done about Yamuna unless we can operate all the STPs at 100 percent capacity; pump in about Rs.30,000 crore for a major infrastructure overhaul; and reduce the population pressure in the national capital with some incentives," said Vikram Soni, a Jamia University professor.

Ravi Agarwal, director of Toxics India, wanted the government to ensure that there was a limit to the amount of water that can be drawn from the river. Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator at the South Asian Network on Dams, Rivers and People described Yamuna as a "national shame".

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yamuna-has-almost-ceased-to-exist-in-delhi-with-no-fresh-water-cpcb-to-supreme-court/1/228525.html