Yamuna Chhatth is an auspicious day that falls in the Hindu month Chaitra. This day is a dedicated celebration day for the goddess Yamuna which is one of the largest rivers of India. It arrives on the Shukla paksha Shashti.
Yamuna Chhatth is an auspicious day that falls in the Hindu month Chaitra. This day is a dedicated celebration day for the goddess Yamuna which is one of the largest rivers of India.
Chaitra Navratri is a holy festival of the Hindu calendar that holds many religious days and spiritual festivals. Yamuna Chhath is also known as Yamuna Jayanti, as this day is also believed to be the descendant day of the Yamuna river on earth. This river covers an extensive distance of almost 1300 kms before merging into the holy Ganga river at Triveni Sangam. Allahabad witnesses one of the largest human gatherings on the earth called Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangam every twelve years. For such reasons, Yamuna Chhath is celebrated enthusiastically in Mathura, Vrindavan, and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Significance of Yamuna Chhatth:
As per the mythology texts, goddess Yamuna is Lord Krushna’s companion, daughter of Lord Surya, and sister of the god of death Yam. Therefore Yamuna river has a significant position in the scriptures and holds immense importance in devotees’ hearts. Moreover, because the Yamuna river has a presence on the north side and is closely related to Lord Krushna, Yamuna Chhath is believed to be a festival of Mathura, Vrindavan, and some other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Rituals and Celebration:
Yamuna Chhatth has basic rituals, puja, and fast to worship goddess Yamuna and Lord Krushna and seek forgiveness and blessings. First, devotees need to wake up before sunrise and take a bath in the Yamuna river along with small puja. Then, they are supposed to keep a fast for the whole day and meditate faithfully.
After the sunrise, pujas for Lord Krushna can be seen on the ghats and homes with various offerings and aartis. People offer a special Prashad called Naivedhyam to goddess Yamuna and then share it with their family and friends. Organizing various religious events and inviting people can also be seen on this day. And then, after 24 hours of fast, devotees break their fast the very next day.
This festival is all about worshipping goddess Yamuna to pray for forgiveness and purification of the soul. Devotees spend the entire day of Yamuna Chhath puja to eliminate their guilt, sins, and all the negative energies.