Source::Rss
The ancient Mithila region of Madhya Pradesh is ablaze with festive fervor today as it witnesses the simultaneous celebration of three traditional festivals. This unique convergence occurs on the auspicious day of Asoj Sankranti, which aligns with the worship of Lord Vishwakarma, Teej, and the cherished folk faith festival.
Vishwakarma Puja, a festival deeply rooted in the Saurmasa tradition and calculated by Sankranti, is being joyfully observed across Mithila Kshetra as Asoj Sankranti graces the calendar today.
Teej, the grand festival cherished by Nepalese women and traditionally celebrated on Bhadau Shukla Tritiya, also unfolds its rituals today. Fasting began prior to midnight, and devotees are poised to break their fast tomorrow morning at sunrise, known as "Bratalu."
Adding to the festivities, the Chowrachan festival is marked on this very day. Expert ritualists emphasize that this day coincides with the Tij festival, observed for one hour on the Tritiya Tithi and the Moon Darshan Tithi on the fourth Tithi.
Pandit Mahesh Kumar Jha of Bardibas-2, a respected authority on rituals, explains, "Yesterday, Tritiya was observed before 9:30 in the morning, but this year, the tradition calls for a full-day observance and the 4th Tekdo Teej fast."
In the Chourchan festival, fasting is undertaken for the fourth moon darshan, and since the moonrise of the fourth date is today, this year sees the convergence of Teej fast and Chourchan on the same day. This traditional celebration culminates with the Maithil tradition of lighting a lamp on a quadrangular altar crafted from aripan (rice flour), situated in a courtyard adorned with cow dung. Devotees offer fruits and sweets to the moon, including kheer, puri, dahi, and other desserts in accordance with the season. Following the moon's offering, family members, along with Ishtajan, gather at the quadrangular Yagya site to partake in Prasad, marking the completion of the Chourchan festival.
In the Hindu Maithil tradition, sighting the moon on Bhadra Shukla Chauthi is considered inauspicious. To remedy this, women observe a day-long fast and present sweets and fruits to the moon in the evening.
Manoj Jha Mukti, Deputy Professor of Maithili Language and Literature at Yagyabalkya Lakshminarayan Vidyapith in Matihani, highlights the significance of this festival, which falls on the fourth day of the moon's rise. It is believed that a proper moon sighting on Bhadra Shukla Chauthi ensures the prevention of false accusations, fosters friendships, and bestows brightness and tranquility upon life.
In ancient times, during the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Shri Krishna observed a lunar fast to retrieve the lost Shyamantaka gem of the Satrajit family. This remarkable event is recounted in the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana and Krishnalila Kavya, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Chorchan festival.
Beyond its roots in Mithila, this festival aimed at dispelling lunar imperfections now enjoys popularity among Hindus of hilly origin residing in Madhya Pradesh. Furthermore, a substantial number of Mithilani (women from Mithila) faithfully observe the Teej fast, contributing to the festival's widespread appeal and cultural significance._Rss
Also Read
