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Dhanteras Puja Vidhi 2024: Simple Steps, Muhurat, and Significance for Indians in the USA

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Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival, and it is enthusiastically celebrated among Indians around the world. This day marks the beginning of wealth and prosperity, and the worship on this day is of Lakshmi-Goddess and Lord Dhanvantari. Therefore, for the Indians staying in the USA, Dhanteras Puja becomes a meaningful way to remain connected with tradition and pray for good health, wealth, and prosperity

Dhanteras will be on 28th of October, 2024. Here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you in performing Dhanteras Puja in the USA comprising of auspicious time and step-by-step guidelines.

Dhanteras2024 USA Puja Muhurat

Dhanteras 2024 Muhurat in the USA

The most auspicious time for Dhanteras Puja is after sunset. Here are general guidelines for Dhanteras puja in the USA.
Dhanteras Puja Muhurat:
06:25 PM to 08:12 PM (local time in most major cities in the USA)

Duration:
1 hour 47 minutes

Amavasya Tithi Starts:
05:22 AM on October 28th, 2024

Amavasya Tithi Ends:
07:46 AM on October 29th, 2024

Please note that puja timings may be different by a few minutes depending upon your place in the USA. It would be better to refer to the precise muhurat in your city.

Also Read: Dhanteras 2024: Date, Time, and Puja Muhurat for Indians in the USA

Puja Items Required for Dhanteras

Here is the list of all the important things that you would require to perform Dhanteras puja:

  • Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari’s idol or photograph
  • Small Clay or Metal Diya with Ghee or Oil
  • Fresh marigold flowers
  • Coconut, betel leaves, and betel nuts
  • Grains of rice and wheat
  • Roli or Kumkum for ‘Tilak’
  • Homemade or store-bought Indian sweets
  • Kalash, a metal pot filled with water.
  • Silver or gold coins or any recent purchase (as offering)
  • A small bowl of rice for aarti

Dhanteras Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Procedure)

  1. Clean the Puja Area
    Clean your house, particularly the area where you are going to perform the puja.
    It is said that cleanliness welcomes Goddess Lakshmi to your house and so fetches prosperity.
  2. Mount the Puja Altar
    Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanwantari Idols or Photos
    Clean altar with new flowers, marigold flowers in particular. You may place diyas (lamps) beside the idols.

Also Read: Dhanteras 2024 USA: What to Buy for Good Luck and Prosperity

  1. Prepare Diya
    Light a small diya with ghee or oil and put it in front of the deities. You can put more diyas all around your home.
    This diya is nothing but the source of the light that wards away the evil darkness and negativity.
  2. Water and Food
    In the Kalash, keep pure water, and on top of it, place a coconut and keep it there as a symbolic oblation.
    Provide some grains (rice or wheat) and put them in front of the deities.
    Provide some sweets and fruits to Goddess Lakshmi as prasad.
  3. Reading Prayers and Mantra
    Recite traditional Lakshmi mantras or any prayer that you know. You can even play recorded mantras in case you are not sure whether you can recite them or not.
    Gifting Roli (red powder) to the deities and performing a small aarti by the circular motion of the lamp.
  4. Gift of Newly Bought Things
    Keep all the gold, silver, or newly purchased things, such as utensils, in front of the deities.
    This is inviting new wealth and prosperity to your house.
  5. Distribute Prasad
    As soon as the puja is over, distribute the prasad, which encompasses sweets and fruits, to your family members and kith and kin.
    Light more diyas in your house when the day lapses into night.
  6. Aarti of Conclusion
    Perform an aarti while lighting and praying to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari.
    During the aarti, you may say “Om Jai Lakshmi Mata” or any other part that you want.

Significance of Dhanteras

Prosperity, Health, and Wealth: Dhanteras is the day of worship for prosperity, health, and wealth. It is said that if this puja was done on that day, then it would bring prosperity, health, and well-being to your house.
New Purchases: In many cases, a number of people get something new, especially gold, silver, and utensils, as a symbol of welcoming wealth into their lives.
Health and Healing: On this very day, the god Lord Dhanvantari is also worshipped. He is the god of Ayurveda and health. Family members pray to him to get good health for the family.

    Celebrating Dhanteras 2024 in the USA is not any different from back home. It involves some simple preparation of the Dhanteras puja along with the auspicious timings. It brings a smile to the family’s face and makes way for prosperity, good health, and happiness entering your house. Be it just lighting diyas, offering sweets, or buying new things; the essence of this festival remains the same you invite positive energy into your life.

    Dhanteras 2024 USA FAQs

    What is the precise date and time for Dhanteras Puja in the USA in 2024?

    Dhanteras 2024 will occur on 28th Oct, Monday. Puja Muhurat is between 06:25 PM to 08:12 PM local time in most US cities.

    What things shall I buy during Dhanteras?

    The old way was to buy gold, silver or utensils on Dhanteras. These purchases bestowed prosperity and good fortune

    What foods shall be prepared for Dhanteras?

    Sweet dishes like kheer, laddus, and puran poli are made. Distributing sweets to gods is believed to be propitiatory.

    Do we need to perform Dhanteras puja during muhurat time?

    It is recommended to perform the puja during the time of muhurat; nevertheless, you can pray and light diyas after sunset in case of a delay.

    I do not have idols of Goddess Lakshmi or Lord Dhanvantari. Do I need to wait for Dhanteras puja?

    You can still do the puja through offering prayers and lighting a diya in front of a clean space or picture of the deities if you don’t have idols.

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    Indian Festivals

    Nahay Khay Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Tradition for Indians Celebrating in the USA

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    Chhath Puja is a highly pious festival that has been observed by millions of Indians, especially in the Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. For Indian communities living in the USA, Chhath Puja marks the opportunity to connect to the roots and seek prosperity and health with happiness. The first one is Nahay Khay, which is the kickstart of the festival. And that is special because it opens the spiritual tone for the day and days ahead. We will inform you of everything we know about Nahay Khay in the USA, considering the date, time, and importance.

    Nahay Khay Chhath Puja 2024 USA

    Nahay Khay Date and Time for Chhath Puja 2024 USA

    Nahay Khay in the year 2024 will fall on Wednesday, November 6. Here is a schedule that can be used to mark the day according to USA timing:

    Nahay Khay Date: November 6, 2024
    Sunrise Timing: Approximately 7:15 AM (PST) – 7:00 AM (EST), depending on the time zone
    Sunset Timing: Approximately 5:10 PM (PST) – 4:50 PM (EST)

    Also Read: Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities

    What is Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja?

    Meaning, “bath and eat.” It is the first of the four days of the Chhath Puja festival, which may be taken as a ritual bath to the worshippers. It is an initiation ritual for purification of body and soul to start more austere days of fasting and worship. On this day, devotees take a holy dip in rivers or other sacred bodies of water before sunrise. Then they cook simple pure food called Bhog which they offer to the Sun God.

    Observing Nahay Khay in the USA

    In the USA, generally, people cannot access traditional Indian rivers. One can still do Nahay Khay either by taking water from a nearby lake or utilizing home-based water. For observing the day, you may follow these steps:

    Also Read: List of Fruits for Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Indian Devotees in the USA

    Morning Bath: One gets a fresh bath before attaining his place at this altar, which he performs in the comforts of his home. Where possible, holy Ganges water, called Ganga Jal, is added in several drops, making the whole set pure.
    Preparing Satvik Food: Satvik food after bathing involves a typical breakfast comprising of rice, a vegetable from pumpkin called kaddu bhaji, and chana dal that comprised of split chickpeas. Ingredients are made use of strictly vegetarian so the sanctity of the celebration may be given importance.

    Offer Prayers: The first ritual is to offer prayers in front of the Sun God with the meal before one consumes it to seek divine blessings for good health and prosperity.

    The meal, often shared among family members, becomes a time for family bonding and unity.

    Meaning of Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja

    Nahay Khay is spiritually very significant since it is the first step towards self-discipline and purity. It cleanses the devotees before getting into the fasting days and intense worship days. This is a way of devotion towards the Sun God, thanks for his continuous energy and blessings.

    Food Intaken during Nahay Khay

    Nahay Khay food is not that complex; it is simple, but the requirements are actually very pure. The main dishes offered on this day include the following:
    Kaddu Bhaji: It is a pumpkin vegetable with garlic and onions being avoided in this recipe.
    Rice: The staple food that needs to be offered in front of Sun God.
    Chana Dal: Split chickpeas that are properly cooked, and offered with devotion.

    Nahay Khay is a beautiful beginning of Chhath Puja. It connects Indian communities in the USA to their heritage and tradition. The practice encourages mindfulness, purity, and gratitude and honors the Sun God for his blessings, paving the way for the rest of the Chhath Puja rituals.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Nahay Khay for US Indians

    What is the importance of Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja?

    Nahay Khay is the initial day of the four-day Chhath Puja, when devotees renew themselves in body and spirit by bathing and eating some simple, pure food offering to the Sun God.

    What is the correct time for Nahay Khay in the USA?

    Start by bathing, then pray, and finally prepare food. Depending on the state, the sun rises between 7:00 to 7:30 AM.

    Can I perform Nahay Khay at home?

    Yes, because most of these devotees in the US did this ritual at their homes since such traditional rivers were not easily available. It may be used by adding drops of Holy water called as Ganga Jal to bath waters or cooking waters.

    What preparations are usually there for foods during Nahay Khay?

    It covers traditional rice, kaddu bhaji or pumpkin curry, and chana dal. A meal of this sort is specially prepared to avoid the incorporation of onions, garlic, or anything else that can interfere with the pure and sacred character of the offering.

    Does Nahay Khay celebration in USA differ from India?

    Although the roots and traditions are so strong, changes occur to include the geography of the USA. One may use a nearby lake or river when possible or ritual in the home.

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    Indian Festivals

    List of Fruits for Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Indian Devotees in the USA

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    Among the spiritual occasions among the Indian community and people across the world, none is more sacred than Chhath Puja, which calls upon the worship of both Surya and his most faithful wife, Chhathi Maiya. What also happens during this festival to an extent is the fruitful items and other natural sources being offered to the holy person, which represent only pure and prosperous items for humanity. If you are staying in the USA, getting some of these fruits as used in the Chhath Puja tradition may give a more authentic look to your celebrations and connect you to your roots.

    List of Fruits for Chhath Puja 2024 USA

    Here is the list of important fruits for preparation in Chhath Puja:

    Importance of Fruits in Chhath Puja:

    During Chhath Puja, devotees offer a variety of fresh fruits as a gesture of thanksgiving and seeking blessings from Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Fresh fruits are the embodiment of nature’s abundance, purity, and nourishment that the festival focuses on for health, wealth, and prosperity. The fruits are arranged in bamboo baskets representing a wholesome offering of earth’s bounty.

    Also Read: Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities

    Some necessary fruits for Chhath Puja

    Banana

    Bananas are considered auspicious and part of the Chhath Puja offering. Accessible and very symbolic in their representation, they convey prosperity and fertility. To get bananas in the USA, you can visit grocery stores and markets.

    Coconuts

    As part of Hindu rituals, coconuts are one of the most important fruits offered during Chhath Puja. Pure and with husk intact, it is fine to keep them with the husk on. Indian grocery stores in the USA have fresh coconuts in their inventory during festival seasons.

    Sugarcane

    Sugarcane is used in worship for Chhath Puja as an embodiment of sweetness and prosperity. As a rule, it can be offered only in a raw, unprocessed way. In the USA, sugarcane may at times be seen in certain specialty grocery stores, or at least stores with specialty Asian or Caribbean products sections.

    Apple

    Apples are widely available in America and are regularly added to the Chhath Puja basket. Apples, being of the vibrant red color, signify energizing and commitment to one’s deity; hence apples become a beautiful addition as well.

    Pomegranate

    This fruit is the symbol of abundance and fertility. So, these fruits are a must in any type of Chhath Puja offering. In the United States, these fruit easily available in stores; people can get them throughout the autumn season.

    Orange

    The orange fruit is symbolically related with good health; people include oranges in any type of Chhath Puja basket. With this fruit, oranges present the color and diversity on the offerings. It easily available in most of supermarkets in USA.

    Mosambi or Sweet Lime

    Mosambi or sweet lime is traditional for Chhath Puja, which represents optimism and sweetness in life. This fruit might not readily be found in most US supermarkets, but can probably be found in Indian or South Asian grocery stores.

    Grapes

    Gruits of joy and prosperity hence make them perfect as a donation towards the God in Chhath Puja. Tiny round-shaped fruits which may have their sweet variety both in terms of taste and texture with the fruit basket, widely available in U.S. Pineapple
    The Tropical Fruit Pineapple is a representation of hospitality and prosperity. An added uniqueness to Chhath Puja through some flavor added to it has given texture it, which comes mostly from supermarkets available in the United States.

    Papaya

    Papaya, being a healthy fruit and also a symbol of prosperity and harmony, is found in Chhath Puja. Typically, you can get the fruit in larger supermarkets and specialty stores in most cities.

    How to Prepare Your Fruit Basket for Chhath Puja in the USA

    You will find it very difficult to get old bamboo baskets here in the USA, where you can carry any type of handmade natural fiber basket according to the ritual; 
    Buying Fruits from Vegetables Store Fresh fruits always try to shop a couple of days ahead of Pooja date.
    Substitutes at the Local Level: If you cannot find any specific fruit, then local fruit with similar texture and color can be used; however, remember the purpose.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Chhath Puja Fruits

    Why a particular fruit is offered during Chhath Puja?

    Every fruit is symbolic and has a very different meaning like prosperity, good health, and bliss which devotees want from Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

    Suppose I am unable to find fresh fruits. Do I use frozen or canned fruits?

    Ideally, fresh fruits are considered for the purpose of being pure and fresh. In case you are unable to get fresh fruits, then you can use alternatives, but still, fresh is preferred.

    Which fruits should be avoided?

    While there is no strict taboo, one must avoid those fruits that might spoil within a short time or are not easily sourced freshly. Fruits should be chosen based on cultural importance for the occasion.

    Can I do Chhath Puja at home in the USA?

    Absolutely. Many Indians in the USA do Chhath Puja at home, sometimes in gardens or by small bodies of water, if available, to keep with the ritual.


    Chhath Puja in the USA can be a bit of a challenge, especially in getting some of the traditional items such as bamboo baskets and some fruits. The spirit of the festival can be well preserved by sourcing the required fruits and making an offering that reflects your love and respect for this precious tradition. You could continue to connect with your heritage while celebrating with your community in the USA by including bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane in your Chhath Puja.

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    Indian Festivals

    Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities

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    Chhath Puja is an important festival especially dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, mainly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. This festival holds a significant place in Indian communities in the USA and connects them with their roots. Chhath Puja in America gives Indian communities a small taste of their homeland while staying abroad. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be performed on 7th and 8th November. On both days, the devotees will observe several rituals: fasting, giving “Arghya” to the Sun God, and asking for prosperity and family’s well-being.

    Chhath Puja 2024 USA

    Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date and Time

    In USA, the Sun rising and setting time will be calculated to perform the rituals at those times. The list of dates and times is as follows

    Day 1: Nahay Khay- November 5, 2024
    Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna- November 6, 2024
    Day 3: Sandhya Arghya- November 7, 2024

    Sunset time for Sandhya Arghya: around 4:52 PM. The sunset time varies with the city.
    Day 4: Usha Arghya- November 8, 2024
    Sunrise Time for Usha Arghya: About 6:35 AM (according to the city)

    Importance of Chhath Puja

    Chhath Puja is special because it symbolizes purity and simplicity with respect to Mother Nature. During the celebration, one looks to thank the Sun God Surya for giving them life and wishes their family health, well-being, and prosperity. It is in the worship rituals of Chhath Puja that one looks for protection from and happiness through the goddess Chhathi Maiya whom people believe in, protects children, and brings happy families.

    For most Indians, remembering the same in the United States makes Chhath Puja remember to enrich cultural heritage through the bond of memories with family and friends.

    This tradition of being a human connection in regards to gratitude that involves nature and transcended boundaries can be said as under:

    Some Major Traditions and Practices Followed During Chhath Puja

    Day 1: Nahay Khay

    It begins with Nahay Khay, where the devotees bathe and cook sattvic (pure) food. This marks the beginning of their fast. The simple food is mainly rice, pumpkin curry, and chana dal, which are pure.

    Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2):

    On the second day, devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after sunset with “kharna prasad” (sattvic food). Traditional foods include rice pudding and roti made with jaggery, meaning devotion and patience.

    Sandhya Arghya: Day 3

    This is the main day of Chhath Puja, in which devotees gather by rivers or water bodies in the evening to offer prayers and “Arghya” to the setting sun. It is a beautiful ritual where devotees stand in water, holding offerings like fruits, thekua, which is a traditional sweet, and other symbolic items in bamboo baskets. For Indians in the USA, communities gather at lakes, rivers, or even ponds to conduct this ritual.

    Usha Arghya (Day 4)

    On the last day of Chhath Puja, devotees present their prayers to the increasing sun. This marks the end of the fasting schedule and is almost like hope, new horizons, and divine goodwill.

    Chhath Puja in USA

    For Indian groups in the USA, there are often gatherings near a river, lake, or a community center that might permit the gathering. So many temples and cultural events plan Chhath Puja gatherings where devotees may perform rituals together at those places.

    Places Where Chhath Puja Gatherings Are Held,

    California: There are gathering points near water bodies here both in Los Angeles as well as in the Bay Area.
    New York: The Hudson River and community ponds are congregation sites for New York’s Indian population.
    Chicago: Groups come together near Lake Michigan or local rivers.
    Houston: Local temples and societies commonly conduct Chhath Puja for the devotees.

    Food and Prasad in Chhath Puja

    The food during Chhath Puja is purely vegetarian and can be prepared salt-free, garlic-free, and onions-free. The most common prasad are:
    Thekua: A traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
    Rice Pudding (Kheer): Rice, milk, and sugar, which means purity and dedication.
    Fruits: Banana, coconut, and sugarcane, which are used as an offering.
    All these things are offered in bamboo baskets to Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

    FAQs about Chhath Puja 2024 in the USA

    What is the date of Chhath Puja in 2024?

    Chhath Puja in 2024, starting from 5th November 2024 and going till 8th November 2024 will take place, on 7th Sandhya Arghya and on the 8th of November, Usha Arghya.

    Amongst which of the cities in the US can the Chhath Puja be done?

    Chhath Puja is happening at every location; in California, New York, Chicago, and Texas; in those cities; communities have gathered by the sides of water-bodies or community centers,

    Which are the prominent offerings on the day of Chhath Puja?

    Her major oblations are thekua, rice pudding called kheer, fruits, and sugarcane, carried in hand with bamboo baskets as her form of paying obeisance.

    What should I wear while celebrating Chhath Puja?

    Normally, people wear religious attire for this ceremony: saris in hues that are a shade closer to yellow or orange so as to depict purity along with dedication for both women and men, using dhoti as the regular dress.

    Why is Chhath Puja important?

    Chhath Puja is that festival where Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. It is a form of gratitude, purity, and linking human beings to nature.


    Chhath Puja time is to rejuvenate Indians in USA to their cultures and spiritual lives. In the midst of a country of great diversity, one can’t help but talk about this festival of pureness, and devotion, where all remember the bond they share with tradition and society, transcending the geography, when families and friends together offer Arghya. The blessings of the Sun God infuse every aspect and bring divine delight among all.

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