Chhath Puja (also spelled Chhath Pooja) is one of the most ancient and important Hindu festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (the sister of Surya and goddess who sustains life on Earth). It is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal’s Mithila region, though now it’s observed widely across India and abroad.
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🌞 Purpose & Significance
Devotion to Sun God: Chhath Puja is performed to thank Surya Dev for sustaining life and to seek his blessings for health, prosperity, and well-being.
Purity and Discipline: The festival emphasizes purity, self-restraint, and faith. Devotees observe strict fasts and rituals with great devotion.
Scientific Significance: Worshipping the rising and setting sun during Chhath balances solar energy in the body and promotes mental and physical well-being.
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🗓️ Duration
The festival lasts for 4 days, generally falling on the 6th day (Shashthi Tithi) of Kartik month in the Hindu lunar calendar — usually in October or November.
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📅 Rituals & Days of Chhath Puja
Day 1 – Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat)
Devotees take a holy dip in rivers or ponds.
The house is cleaned, and the first day’s meal is cooked using river water and eaten once — usually lauki-bhaat (bottle gourd with rice).
It marks the purification of body and mind.
Day 2 – Kharna (Fasting and Worship)
Devotees fast all day without water.
In the evening, after sunset, they offer kheer (sweet rice porridge), roti, and fruits to the deity and break the fast.
After this, a 36-hour long nirjala vrat (without food and water) begins.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)
The main ritual takes place at sunset on riverbanks or water bodies.
Devotees offer “Arghya” (water offerings) to the setting Sun while standing in water.
Folk songs and Chhath Geet are sung in devotion.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)
Before sunrise, devotees gather again to offer arghya to the rising Sun.
After prayers, the fast is broken by eating prasad (often thekua, fruits, and jaggery-based sweets).
The festival ends with blessings sought for family health and prosperity.
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🍎 Main Offerings (Prasad)
Thekua – a traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
Sugarcane, coconut, fruits (especially bananas), and raw milk are essential offerings.
Soop (bamboo winnowing tray) is used to hold offerings during arghya.
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🎶 Cultural Highlights
Women play a central role, often leading rituals with deep devotion.
Songs and folk music celebrating the Sun and nature fill the atmosphere.
The entire community participates, maintaining cleanliness and sanctity.
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🌅 Key Beliefs
Chhath Maiya blesses devotees with children, good health, and prosperity.
The rituals help detoxify the body and calm the mind through fasting and early sun exposure.
It is a festival of equality — everyone, irrespective of caste or class, joins in devotion.
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