Today is Kharna! After this Prasad, the most difficult fast of 36 hours will start, know the rules and the right way to make it.

Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, has started and after ‘Nahay-Khay’ today is the second and most important stage of this puja- KharnaKharna means ‘purification’. It is not just a puja or prasad, but it is the preparation of the vratis (fast keepers) for the 36-hour Nirjala (without water) Mahavrat, which is considered to be one of the toughest fasts in the world.

What is Kharna and what is its importance?

On the day of Kharna, the devotees observe fast without food and water for the whole day. Special Prasad is made in the evening after sunset. By eating this Prasad, the fasting person prepares his body and mind for the difficult penance of the coming 36 hours. After receiving this Prasad, their most difficult Nirjala fast begins, which ends only after offering Arghya to the rising Sun.

Auspicious time of Kharna:
Worship of Kharna and offering of Prasad this year Today (26 October, Sunday) after sunset, i.e. after 5:41 pm Will be done.

What is included in Kharna Prasad? (symbol of purity)

Kharna Prasad is very pure and pure. Mainly three things are made in it:

1. Rasiyaav (Jaggery Kheer): It is made in a new earthen stove on mango wood. This kheer is made from rice, milk and jaggery, no sugar is used in it.
2. Wheat Bread (Sohari): It is a plain bread without salt, on which a little ghee is applied.
3. Fruit: Banana and other satvik fruits are also included in the prasad.

Before making this Prasad, the entire kitchen is purified with Ganga water and no tamasic things like garlic and onion are used in it.

One rule that can never be broken: Don’t use this utensil

So much care is taken of purity in Chhath Puja that the utensils used to make Prasad are also special.

• What to make: Always to make Kharna Prasad clay, brass or bronze Only utensils are used.
• What not to make: in this puja Using aluminum utensils is strictly prohibited It is assumed.

Why is this prohibited?
There are both religious and scientific reasons behind this. Religiously, aluminum is considered impure metal, hence it is not used in worship. At the same time, scientifically, when aluminum is heated, it can release some elements in the food, which can be harmful for health.

This day of Kharna is the beginning of the real test of the fasting people’s stamina, restraint and unwavering faith.