The festival of Chhath is just days away and will be celebrated with enthusiasm in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Chhath Puja is deeply rooted in ancient history and traces its origins to the Vedic times. The Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, mentions rituals dedicated to the Sun, emphasising its importance in sustaining life. Over the centuries, these rituals evolved into the elaborate and revered Chhath Puja observed today.

The dates for Chhath Puja are decided on the basis od Hindu calendar. If falls six days after Diwali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, with the devotees worshipping Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti and Sun’s sister. The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and observing a tough fast, including abstaining from drinking water.

Dates for Chhath Puja 2023

This year, according to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Chhath Puja will begin on November 17 and continue till the 20th. It starts with the ritual of Nahay Khay (bathing and feasting) on the first day. On the second day, called Kharna, devotees fast throughout the day, breaking it only after sunset as an offering to the deities.

The third day is when the main rituals start. Devotees, usually women, gather at the water bodies, be it rivers or ponds, before sunrise. Standing waist-deep in water, they offer arghya (offering of water) to the rising Sun. It will be special this year because the thir day will fall on Sunday, the day associated with Sun.

The setting Sun witnesses another round of arghya the next day, this time bidding farewell to the day.

History of Chhath Puja

Historically, Chhath Puja holds a special place as it was believed to have been practiced by the legendary figures of Surya and Savitri. The Sun, revered for his life-giving energy, became a central figure in this festival, symbolising the source of light and vitality. The rituals performed during Chhath Puja are seen as a means to seek blessings for health, prosperity and the well-being of family members.

The significance of Chhath Puja embody cultural and social dimensions. Its observance transcends caste, creed, and economic disparities, fostering a sense of equality and shared purpose among its participants.

Chhath Puja’s association with natural elements is also historically rooted. The worship of the Sun, water bodies, and the earth reflects an ancient understanding of the interconnectedness of life and the environment. The rituals, passed down through generations, symbolise a harmonious relationship with nature, emphasising the need for balance and sustainability.

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson, who has just recovered from an Achilles injury, tested the practice nets and his teammates with some brisk deliveries during a net session. Ferguson, who has experience playing at the Wankhede Stadium, will be looking to make an impact in the semifinal match against India. The new ball has been effective under lights in the World Cup, with 17 wickets falling in the first powerplay.

Amazon.com has cut around 180 jobs in its games division, at least the second round of layoffs in under a week by the online retailer and digital streaming provider in a broader restructuring, an email viewed on Monday by Reuters showed.

“After our initial restructuring in April, it became clear that we needed to focus our resources even more on the areas that are growing with the highest potential to drive our business forward,” said Christoph Hartmann, vice president of Amazon Games, in the Nov. 13 email.

The company began informing employees Monday morning that their roles had been eliminated, in the second cut to the division this year.

Amazon last week also began cutting jobs in its streaming music and podcast division, people familiar with the matter said. It also cut a very small number of jobs in its human resources unit known as People Experience and Technology, or PXT, the sources added.

The games division offers downloadable versions of many video games, on a monthly rotation, as well as some Twitch channels and other services. The company remains focused on developing and publishing games such as “Blue Protocol” and the free games offered within Prime Gaming, it said.

Prime Gaming is a perk offered as part of the $139 annual Prime membership that includes free shipping and free streaming video.

“We’ve listened to our customers and we know delivering free games every month is what they want most, so we are refining our Prime benefit to increase our focus there,” Hartmann said.

In April, Amazon cut about 100 jobs in the games unit.

Amazon’s third-quarter net income far surpassed analysts’ estimates and the Seattle-based company forecast revenue in the year’s final quarter roughly in line with expectations.

Amazon has cut more than 27,000 roles over the past year, part of a wave of U.S. tech layoffs after the industry hired too many people during the pandemic.

Hartmann, in his email, said the company is “actively recruiting” for other roles in the division.

“I recognize that this is the second time this year that you are hearing about org-wide team changes and seeing colleagues go, so let me be very clear when I say this: I remain confident in our future,” he said.