🌅 Chhath Puja: Festival of Sun Worship and Gratitude
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess who is believed to bless devotees with health, prosperity, and longevity.
It is especially celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, and has now become popular across India.
This festival honors the setting and rising sun, symbolizing gratitude for life, energy, and nourishment.
When is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
Chhath Puja usually falls six days after Diwali, in the month of Kartik (October–November) according to the Hindu calendar.
In 2025, it will be celebrated around October–November.
🙏 The Four-Day Rituals of Chhath Puja
1. Nahay Khay (Day 1)
- Devotees bathe in holy rivers like the Ganga and prepare a simple, pure vegetarian meal cooked in a clean environment.
- This marks the beginning of purification for the upcoming fast.
2. Kharna (Day 2)
- On this day, devotees observe a fast for the whole day and break it in the evening after sunset with gur (jaggery) kheer, fruits, and chapati.
- After this, they begin a 36-hour long nirjala vrat (fast without water).
3. Sandhya Arghya (Day 3)
- Devotees offer evening prayers (Arghya) to the setting sun at riverbanks or water bodies.
- Women wear traditional sarees (mostly yellow or orange), and beautifully decorate the puja area with diyas and flowers.
- The basket (daura or soop) contains fruits, thekua (sweet), and other offerings made to Surya Dev.
4. Usha Arghya (Day 4)
- The final day begins before sunrise. Devotees offer morning arghya to the rising sun, praying for the well-being of their family.
- After this, the fast is broken with prasad, marking the end of the rituals.
Spiritual Significance
- Chhath Puja is a way to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
- It promotes purity, discipline, and devotion.
- The rituals involve environmental harmony—using natural materials like bamboo baskets, banana leaves, and earthen lamps.
Cultural Importance
- Unites families and communities in a spirit of purity and togetherness.
- Promotes cleanliness, simplicity, and respect for nature.
- Women are considered the backbone of this puja, symbolizing strength and faith.
Traditional Offerings (Prasad)
- Thekua (sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery & ghee)
- Rice laddoo
- Coconut, banana, sugarcane
- Seasonal fruits and dry fruits
Chhath Puja Symbolizes
“Faith, Purity, Gratitude, and Harmony with Nature.”