Yesterday was the second day of Chhath Puja, which is called Kharna. On this day, people observe an arduous nirjala vrat (fasting without water) from sunrise to sunset and offer the first Arghya of Chhath to the ascending sun. A prasad of kheer, made with gud and Arwa chawal on an earthen stove, is prepared on Kharna. Seasonal fruits and some vegetables are also used for worship by the devotees.

Devotees can break their fast only after sunset after offering the prasad to the Sun God. Fasting for the third day begins after having the prasad on the second day. After having the jaggery kheer, devotees begin the nirjala vrat, lasting for 36 hours till the conclusion of Chhath Puja with arghya at sunrise. According to the rituals, the person observing the fast cooks the whole prasad and serves it as bhog to the diety.

By : Jyoti Sharma