Chhath Pooja is dedicated to the solar deity, Surya and therefore held in the month of Kārtika, associated with Surya, in October/November when the Sun is in Libra. This is a very ancient tradition. This was established to mark the Sun crossing Autumnal Equinox. It was celebrated in the days following the first new moon after Autumnal Equinox. Due to precession of the Equinox, this has moved to the second new moon after Autumnal Equinox, but the significance has not changed much. Chhatha/Chhath (छठा/छत) in Hindi means roof/rooftop. Chhathā (छठा) means sixth. Chautha (चौथा) means fourth. The festivities go on for four days. It starts on a Chauthi (चौथी), the fourth day after the new moon day and ends on Saptami (सप्तमी), the seventh day after the new moon day. The most important day is the Shashti (षष्ठी), the sixth day after new moon day. One of the Shashti festivities include tying 5 to 7 sugarcanes together to form mandap and beneath the shade of that mandap 12 to 24 earthen lamps are burnt. More details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhath
Let’s see what happens in the sky during these days currently in 21st century. The sun is in Libra/Tula (तुला). In the month following these festivities, it crosses the lower distance between the Equator and the Ecliptic. It is the winter. The festivities are to get ready for the upcoming winter. The Shashti/sixth day is where the moon is in this lower most part of the Ecliptic in the month of Kārtika. Sagittarius represents the Chhath, roof. The four days could represent either the four stars in Libra or more likely Sagittarius forming the square of the roof. Chhaththi Maiya, the roof Goddess, likely represented by Sagittarius again is worshipped on the Shashti day. The popular name of Chhaththi Maiya is Surya’s sister Shashti Devi.
Another Goddess, Shashti (षष्ठी) is also associated with Chhath. The 5 to 7 sugarcanes represent the enclosed stars in Sagittarius and 12 to 24 earthen lamps representing all the stars in Sagittarius. The Sun getting a roof cover of Sagittarius was probably believed to be the of cause of lesser brightness and shorter days in this period. The roof was therefore worshipped every year before Sun enters the Sagittarius. It was also probably the thanksgiving to the roof Goddess for protection against the rainy season that just ended and take up any repairs due to heavy rains.
The Sagittarius (180 degree rotated) also represents Indra’s divine elephant mount, Airavata – See Astronomy of Airāvata – Be Unique, Be You (chandrashekarbu.com). Interestingly, elephant shaped ceramic pots or lamps (Diyas) are used in the rituals of Chhath Pooja.
Astronomy In Ancient Indian Belief Systems
The book (see below) has many analyses similar to the one above. It identifies the constellation representing a deity and beliefs about the deity to substantiate the identification. Do you want to find out more about the the path taken by the liberated souls from Earth to heaven? Are you curious to find out further on the complete details how Hercules is Lord Vishnu, Orion is Lord Shiva and re-discover the astronomical origins of other Indian pantheon like Lakshmi, Daksha Brahma, Prajāpati, Indra, Nārada, Dhanvaṅtari, Kubēra; divine vehicles like Garuda, Naṅdi, Makara, Adishēsha, Vāsuki, Airāvata; divine animals like Kāmadhēnu, Uchchaishravas? Why Auriga is Mount Meru? Where is Kailāsa, Vaikuṅtha, Gōlōka? Would you be interested to understand the origins of various Indian festivals throughout the year?
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ASTRONOMY IN ANCIENT INDIAN BELIEF SYSTEMS
by Chandrashekar B U
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