Kharna, one of the rituals of Chhath Puja celebrated on Saturday with full enthusiasm in Delhi. This is observed on the second day of the four-day Chhath Puja after Nhay- Khay.
On this day people cook of kheer to distribute among relatives and neighbours. People keep fast, only to break it in the evening after sunset, after the worship of Sun.
Devotees start the fast which is broken only the evening after worshipping Sun, next day while observing ‘Kharna’.
During this period of three nights and four days, the worshiper follows a rigorous routine that lasts for four days. The rituals include, fasting, abstinence from drinking water; holy bathing, offering prayers to the rising and setting sun, and meditating by standing in water for long periods of time.
A day before Kharna, Nhay khay is observed where ‘Nhay’ means to bathe and ‘Khay’ means to eat. On the first day of Nhay khay, devotees take a bath in a holy lake or river, to purify themselves of their sins. Then, they worship God Sun. Water from the holy river is carried to homes, which is later used in cooking food to offer Surya, awhich continues for the next 36 hours.
Devotees consider the sun to be the healer of various health conditions and worshipping it is believed to ensure longevity, prosperity, progress and well-being.