Monday , December 23 2024

Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, has special importance in the Dev of Aurangabad.

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Patna, 02 November (HS). There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people in Bihar regarding the great festival of folk faith, Chhath. A large number of people go to Ganga Ghat for the Ardha of Chhath fast. Deo, located in Aurangabad district in Bihar, has a world famous temple of Lord Surya. Observing Chhath fast here has special significance. The history of this temple is quite old.

Dev Surya Temple of Aurangabad is famous as Devarka Sun Temple or simply Devarka. It is a Hindu temple located at a place called Dev in the district which is dedicated to the god Surya. This Sun temple is not east facing like other sun temples but is facing west. Traditionally it is considered to be one of the twelve Sun temples built by Samba, son of Krishna, mentioned in Hindu myths. Apart from the story of Samba, Goddess Aditi was also worshiped here in this temple.

According to a legend, when the gods were defeated by the demons in the first Devasura battle, Mother Goddess Aditi worshiped Chhathi Maiya in the Devaranya to get a bright son. Then Chhathi Maiya was pleased and gave him the boon of having a bright son with all the virtues. After this, Aditya's son Aditya in the form of Trinity led the gods to victory over the demons. It is said that from that time the name of this Dham became Dev in the name of Dev Sena Shashthi Devi and the tradition of Chhath also started.

Devotees generally come to the temple for worship throughout the year. However, here a huge crowd gathers on the occasion of Chhath festival especially celebrated in Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. There is a gathering of devotees here almost every day, but especially on Sundays, devotees come here from far and wide to perform havan and worship. It is believed that till date no beggar has returned empty handed from this temple and after getting his desired result, he also offers Argh to the Sun God during the Chhath Puja of Kartik or Chaitra.