The tradition of "Dandwat Pranam" is an old tradition in Indian culture. Laying completelly and saluting is the best way to perform "Dandwat Pranam" . In earlier days saluting is common among the pupils of sages who went to them to take Diksha. If you look at the meaning "Dand" means punishment which means saluting in a punishable position.

Dandvat Pranam is a ritual during which devotees offer their respects and surrender themselves to God and His gunatit sadhu by bowing down.

A Vrati on way to river bank on road

Nowadays we hardly able to see such tradition in cities or urban areas, however people of old beliefs is still following such salutation while worshipping. Recently , I get to see them during the recently concluded "Chatth Puja" festival.

As said before it is a very important festival which needs to be completed in purest of the form.

The Men or Women who perform the day long fasting are called "Vrati" (derived from hindi word vrat). If Vrati have wished something or have wish to succeed in something, took the oath to go to the nearby water body called "Chatth Ghat" by lying and saluting on the ground in simple cloth.

Some people may take an oath of specific number of "Dandwat Pranam" like 11,21 or 51 depends how much they can afford. If having a water body nearby some people may start right from their home. They keep a "stick" in their hand to make mark on the ground. The Vrati draw a round line by lying on the ground with the help of stomach and stretching completelly in Pranam Mudra. They again get up and do next Dandwat Pranam from the marking made. In this way they keep counting till the Ghat arrived. Once they reached to the Ghat by continuously giving Dand, they take a bath and then stand still on water to perform the worshipping ritual and performing "Arg" on setting Sun and then next day on rising Sun.

In addition to the religious aspects, dandvat pranam, a combination of three yogic postures, tones the muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest, and lower back, relieves backaches, increases flexibility of the spinal column, increases the efficiency of the pancreas and adrenals, and helps prevent diabetes

The Vratti can perform the task so easily even after staying on fasting for continous 36 hrs. This shows the physical capability and the beliefs of Indians in worshipping Lord Sun..

The age-old celebration of Chhath Puja is dedicated to Bhagwan Surya (Sun God). It is celebrated to thank Surya for showering blessings and sustaining life & energy on earth. The rituals and traditions of Chhath Puja are very hard as the Vratti or the devotee fasts for 36 hours without a single bite of the food or a single drop of water.

This is also the most eco-friendly festival Indian can celebrate. This is something which get performed by worshipping standing in water and only home cooked delicies and fruits offered. It is toughest festival one could have, and needs a lot of physical stamina to get them successfully performed.

This is another sporty aspect of Indian culture which require enough courage and stamina on course if faith and belief.

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Reference

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