This preparation narrative shifts from cleaning the household and kitchen to washing and drying the wheat intended for Thekua. It then details purchasing baskets, stoves, wood, and fruits, as well as designating a clean room. The article illustrates how the source portrays Chhath as a well-organized family endeavor.
The Intense Preparation Behind Chhath Puja
Preparation for Chhath starts right after Diwali. The whole household works with one goal in mind: attaining complete purity for the forthcoming ceremonies.
The Deep Clean
The entire house is cleaned thoroughly from top to bottom. The kitchen experiences a complete makeover: every sign of onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian ingredients is eliminated. Sinks and stoves are cleaned with great care.
Washing the Wheat (Gehun Dhona)
A social gathering in which female family members come together to wash the whole wheat grains intended for preparing Thekua. The wheat is rinsed, laid out on clean cotton cloths to dry under the sun, and carefully watched to prevent any birds or insects from contaminating it.
Shopping and Organization
Families buy new clay stoves (chulha), dry mango wood, bamboo baskets (Daura and Soop), and flawless fruits. A specific clean room is prepared where the Vrati will sleep on the floor and where the Prasad will be kept.