Decorate the Bowl to offer Arghya to the Sun During Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja 3rd Day: Chhath Puja is a sacred festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated in India and all countries with Indian settlements. Offering arghya to the Sun is the most important ritual during this four-day festival. A bamboo bowl is used for offering arghya. The art of decorating such a bowl is also very important.

Decorating a bowl is a traditional process that involves cleaning, decorating, and arranging the ingredients. This article will show you how to decorate a bowl for offering arghya during Chhath Puja, based on a centuries-old tradition.

Cleaning and Preparing the Bowl

Decorating a bowl always begins with cleaning. This bamboo basket is considered sacred for the puja, so it is thoroughly cleaned and prepared. First, wash the bowl with water and let it dry.  If the soup pot is old, wipe it with lukewarm water and a soft cloth to remove any dust or dirt. You can also sprinkle Ganga water on it to completely purify it. Cleaning the soup pot is very important, as impure pleasures can disrupt the puja.

Read More: Perform Chhath Puja Rituals Even While Living Abroad

Rangoli and Applying the Tika

The most important part of decorating the soup pot is applying the Tika. Whether the soup pot is made of brass or a bus, a special Tika is applied to both pots by mixing vermillion and rice flour. To do this, mix the vermillion with rice flour to form a thick paste. Now, make a circle in the center of the soup with your finger or a small stick. Draw small lines around the circle. This circle symbolizes the Sun God.

This Tika not only beautifies the soup but also symbolizes inviting the Sun God. Some people also use rows of flowers or colored rice as rangoli to decorate the soup, but the vermillion rice Tika is the most important. The Tika marks the beginning of the puja and sanctifies the soup.

Placing Fruits, Prasad, and Other Items

Next, various fruits and offerings are placed in the soup to decorate it. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are placed in the soup, symbolizing nature’s bounty. Radishes, sugarcane, guavas, oranges, apples, bananas, sweet potatoes, beets, and other fruits are placed in the soup. All fruits should be fresh and uncut. Green leafy vegetables, such as ginger root or green chilies, can also be included. A coconut with a tuft is especially essential, placed in the center of the soup.

Thekua is a very popular offering, available in two varieties: dark brown, made from jaggery, and light brown, made from sugar. Arrange these around the edges of the soup. Include rice laddus, which are shaped like balls. These homemade offerings enhance the sweetness of the puja. Arrange all the ingredients neatly in the soup. Fruits are placed at the bottom of the soup, prasad in the front, and coconut in the center.  This makes the soup look beautiful.

The Final Step: A Fusion of Beauty and Devotion

Now, in the final step, arrange the fruits according to their colors. Place red oranges on one side and guavas on the other. Hang sugarcane from the handle of the soup or rest it on the edge. Decorate with green leaves and flowers. The soup should resemble a plate offered to the Sun God.

Conclusion

Decorating the soup for Chhath Puja is an art passed down from generation to generation. This process teaches devotion and gratitude to nature. If you are decorating the soup for the first time, seek guidance from elders in the family. Offering arghya after decorating the soup on this festival will surely bring blessings from the Sun God.

FAQ – Chhath Puja 3rd Day