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Notes: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
According to the Purnimanta Hindu calendar, the Shashthi Tithi of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha is celebrated as Hal Shashthi. In the Amanta Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the Shashthi Tithi of Shravana Krishna Paksha. However, the day of Hal Shashthi remains the same in both calendars, only the name of the month differs because of different calendar systems. Hal Shasthi is also known as Hal Chhath or Har Chhath, Lalahi Chhath, Chandan Chhath, Kamar Chhath and Khamar Chhath. In various communities and regions, this festival is also celebrated as Ub Chhath, Chandra Chhath, Tinchhathi or Tinni Chhath and Chanan Chhath or Chana Chhath. On this day, Hindu women observe a day-long fast, which is dedicated to Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. The Vrat of Hal Shashthi is observed for longevity, good health and happiness of one’s children. As per the belief, couples who do not have children can also observe this fast. Lord Balarama blesses everyone who observes this fast with devotion.
On this day, women who observe the fast refrain from consuming any food item cultivated in a field tilled by a plough, because plough is regarded as the weapon of Lord Balarama. Therefore, food articles obtained from ploughed fields are prohibited during Hal Shashthi. Thus, the fast is observed by consuming food items that are grown in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies. As per the belief system, the consumption of cow's milk and curd is also prohibited during the fast. Therefore, women use buffalo milk and curd during the fast. In many regions, women follow a traditional practice of using Mahua twig for teeth cleaning or just consuming Mahua.
On this day, devotees put Tilak of sandalwood paste on their forehead, due to which it is also called Chandan Chhath. Thereafter, following one's belief system, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Chhathi Maiya or one's favored deity is worshipped. However, on the day of Hal Shashthi, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Nandi, Simha and boat are also worshiped by people of different regions.
The Puja involves offering of vermilion, sandalwood paste, flowers, fruits, areca nut, unbroken rice, and a coin to the deity. Afterwards, Dhupa and Deepaka are lit, and then devotees put some sandalwood paste in their hands and listen to the story of Hal Shashthi in the standing position. It is also common to put sandalwood in the mouth. After the recitation of the story, devotees don’t sit on the floor or drink water till moonrise. After moonrise, Arghya is offered to the Moon which completes the fast and devotees are allowed to sit.
In Shekhawati region, Hal Shashthi is called Ub Chhath or Chana Chhath. Married women observe the fast of Ub Chhath for the long life of their husbands, while unmarried girls observe this fast for getting a desired life partner. On this occasion, women go to temples and perform special worship. Thereafter, Arghya is offered to the Lord Chandra when it rises above the horizon. The fast is completed only after the offering of Arghya. This fast is called Ub Chhath because women who observe this fast remain in standing position from sunset till moonrise.
To begin the Puja, complete morning rituals, then lay the floor with clay paste and prepare a small Kund filled with water. If this is not possible, just draw Chowk with flour. Thereafter, tie together one branch of each Jharberi, Palash and Gular and install them in the Kunda. These branches are called Harchhath. Wrap a raw cotton thread or Janeo around Harchhath and tie a knot.
Make clay idols of Gauri-Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Kartikeya, and install them on a wooden platform (Chowki) near Harchhath. Then, fill an earthen pot with seven types of roasted grains and dried fruits for each son and place it on the platform. Afterwards, worship Shri Gauri-Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Kartikeya.
During the Puja, make an offering of roasted grains of seven types - wheat, Bengal gram, rice, maize, jowar, pearl milled and barley. Also make an offering of a new cloth dyed with turmeric paste, and Suhaga-Samagri. Thereafter, conclude the Puja by performing Aarti.
To worship Chhath Mata, draw a picture of Chhath Mata on the wall or on a Kalash or make Chhath Maiya with branches of Jharaberi, Palash and Gular. Place a water-filled clay pot (Kalash) on the platform. Mix vermilion with buffalo Ghee and draw a picture of Shashthi Mata, that is Chhathi Maiya on the Kalash. Afterwards, recite the follow Mantra and pray to Chhath Mata -
गंगा द्वारे कुशावर्ते बिल्वके नील पर्वते।
स्नात्या कनखले देवि हरं सन्धवती पतिम्॥
ललिते सुभगे देवि सुख सौभाग्य दायिनी।
अनन्त देहि सौभाग्यं मह्यं तुभ्यं नमो नमः॥
Ganga Dware Kushavarte Bilvake Neel Parvate।
Snatya Kanakhale Devi Haram Sandhawati Patim॥
Lalite Subhge Devi Sukh Saubhagya Dayini।
Ananta Dehi Saubhagyam Mahyam Tubhyam Namo Namah॥
Meaning - "O Goddess! You attained Lord Shiva as your divine consort by bathing in Ganga at Kushavarta, Bilvaka, Mount Neel and Kanakhal Tirtha. I, again and again, bow down to Goddess Lalita who blesses Her devotees with happiness and fortune, O Devi, kindly bless me with eternal marital bliss."
Conclude your Puja with the recital of Hal Shashthi Vrat Katha to get the complete reward of your fast. Some devotees read and listen to Shri Balarama Janma Katha on this day as well.
After Puja, the offering of seven types of roasted grains is distributed among children as Prasadam. In some regions, mothers hit the turmeric pasted cloth at the waist of her son(s), then wipe the turmeric off with her Saree Pallu. It is believed that this works as a Kavacha or shield for the child.
The traditional Vrat Katha read and heard on Hala Shashthi has been described. The story described is of a milkmaid who, due to greed, tells a lie and sells cow milk instead of buffalo milk. As a result, the milkmaid's baby dies. After pleading for forgiveness from the women observing fast on Hala Shashthi, the milkmaid's dead baby comes back to life.
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