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New Delhi, October 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on ‘Kharna’, the second day of Chhath Puja, and prayed for everyone’s well-being.
The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna. During this day, devotees fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after offering Arghya to the Sun God at sunset.
In a post on Twitter, PM Modi said, “Warm greetings to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Kharna Puja of Chhath festival. I respectfully bow to all the devotees observing the fast!”
He said, “There is a tradition of taking satvik prasad made of kheer made of jaggery on this holy occasion, a symbol of faith and restraint. I wish that Chhathi Maiya bestows her blessings on everyone on this ritual.”
The Prime Minister also shared a song, ‘Sukh leke ugayi, Dukh leke dubayi’, by Bihari singer Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, as well as a ‘Chhath Geet’, titled ‘Sona Satkuniya Ho Dinanaath’, by Maithili Thakur.
‘Kharna’ symbolizes purification, prompting devotees to fast from sunrise to sunset to purify their bodies. The fast is concluded in the evening with a special prasad of jaggery rice kheer.
The consumption of the prasad marks the official beginning of the 36-hour Nirjala fast which is observed till the last day of the festival.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also arrived and greeted the people.
“The ‘Kharna’ holds utmost sacred significance in Chhath Puja. It is from ‘Kharna’ that the fast, worship, and adoration of Chhathi Maiya begin.
He said, “May this holy occasion bring prosperity in the lives of all of you.”
Union Health Minister JP Nadda also greeted the devotees on the auspicious occasion and said, “I extend my hearty greetings to all the dedicated observers of the Kharan ritual on the second day of Chhath Puja, the great festival of gratitude to nature and worship of the Sun. May Lord Surya Narayan and Chhathi Maiya bestow all of you with happiness, prosperity and excellent health.”
–IANS
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