Welcome again to Samarthguru Dhara’s festive section.
Every year, just after Diwali, begins the grand festival of Chhath Puja – a unique celebration dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi). It is celebrated with unmatched devotion, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Nepal’s Terai region. With migration, Chhath is now also celebrated in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gujarat, Punjab, and across the world wherever Indians have settled.
What makes Chhath unique is that it is the only festival where both the setting sun and the rising sun are worshipped. While most cultures salute the rising sun, India bows to both — thanking the Sun for the light of yesterday and praying for the promise of tomorrow.
📿 Chhath Puja 2025 Dates:
- Nahay Khay (Day 1) – 28th October 2025
- Kharna (Day 2) – 29th October 2025
- Sandhya Arghya (Day 3) – 30th October 2025 (offering to the setting sun)
- Usha Arghya (Day 4) – 31st October 2025 (offering to the rising sun)
The Origins and Stories of Chhath Puja
The roots of Chhath go back thousands of years and are deeply woven into Indian epics and Puranic traditions:
- From the Mahabharata: Karna, son of Surya, was a great devotee of the Sun. Daily, he stood in waist-deep water offering arghya to Surya Dev, which made him a warrior of immense strength. Draupadi also observed Chhath Puja during times of difficulty, and her wishes were fulfilled.
- From the Ramayana: After their return to Ayodhya from exile, Lord Rama and Mata Sita observed Chhath Puja to cleanse themselves of any doshas after Ravana’s defeat. They offered arghya to Surya Dev during Kartik Shukla Shashthi.
- From the Puranas: Chhathi Maiya, also called Shashthi Mata, is believed to be the Manas Putri of Brahma, born from divine energy. She blesses children with health, longevity, and protection. Some traditions also see her as Goddess Katyayani.
- Local Beliefs: In folk tradition, Chhathi Maiya is regarded as the sister of Surya Dev, and their joint worship signifies the harmony of nature, family, and cosmic energy.
Thus, Chhath Puja combines cosmic worship, ancient traditions, and deep devotion into one of India’s oldest and most eco-friendly festivals.
The Four Days of Chhath Puja
Day 1 – Nahay Khay (28th October 2025)
The vrat begins with purification. Devotees clean their homes and take a holy dip in rivers or ponds. The vrati (person observing the fast) eats a single, simple meal of pumpkin curry, rice, and chana dal cooked in ghee. The focus is on sattvik food and purity.
Day 2 – Kharna (29th October 2025)
On this day, the vrati observes a strict fast without water or food until evening. At sunset, after offering prayers, kheer made from jaggery, rice, and milk is prepared along with chapatis. This offering is made to Surya Dev, after which the vrati partakes of it and distributes it as prasad. From this night begins the 36-hour nirjala fast, without food and even without drinking water.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (30th October 2025)
This is the most emotional part of Chhath. Families prepare prasad such as thekua (a special wheat-jaggery sweet), rice laddus, fruits, sugarcane, turmeric, and new seasonal crops. All these items are placed in bamboo baskets.
In the evening, devotees gather at riverbanks or ponds. Women, dressed in bright saris, sing Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, and Angika folk songs. Standing in waist-deep water, they offer arghya to the setting sun, thanking Surya Dev for sustaining life. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, tears, music, and simplicity.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya (31st October 2025)
Before dawn, devotees return to the ghats. As the first rays of the sun appear, they offer arghya to the rising sun, praying for health, prosperity, and protection of their children. The fast is then broken by drinking raw milk or water and distributing prasad.
This final ritual marks the completion of the Chhath vrat. It is believed that the combined blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya flow abundantly on those who keep the vrat with faith and discipline.
The Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath is called a Mahaparv because of its scale, devotion, and spiritual meaning.
- Surya Upasana (Sun Worship): The Sun is the source of light, energy, and health. Offering arghya is an act of gratitude.
- Blessings of Chhathi Maiya: She is the goddess who grants children, protects families, and ensures prosperity.
- Equality at the Ghats: On Chhath, caste, class, wealth, and status dissolve. Everyone stands together as children of the Sun.
- Eco-friendly Festival: There are no idols or artificial decorations — only nature, purity, and devotion.
- Discipline & Devotion: The 36-hour nirjala vrat tests human endurance and represents the vrati’s unshakable faith.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is more than a ritual; it is a bond between humans and nature, between children and their cosmic parents. When millions stand together in rivers, with folded hands, singing devotional songs, offering thekua and fruits, it becomes a reminder of India’s timeless culture of devotion and gratitude.
May Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev bless you with good health, prosperity, and happiness. 🌸
🌞 Chhath Puja – FAQs
Q1. When is Chhath Puja in 2025?
Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 28th October to 31st October 2025.
Q2. In which parts of India is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Nepal’s Terai region. Due to migration, it is also celebrated widely in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Gujarat, and overseas in countries like Mauritius, Fiji, and the US.
Q3. Which God is worshipped during Chhath Puja?
Devotees worship Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Shashthi Mata), believed to be the sister of the Sun God and protector of children.
Q4. Who all can keep the Chhath Vrat? Is there any limitation?
Chhath vrat can be kept by any devotee — men, women, old, young, married, or unmarried. Traditionally, it is mostly observed by married women for the welfare of their family, but many men and even young people also keep it. Once someone starts the vrat, it is usually continued every year until another family member takes over. There is no caste or community limitation.
Q5. Why are both the setting and rising sun worshipped?
The setting sun is worshipped to express gratitude for life and blessings already received. The rising sun is worshipped to seek hope, prosperity, and protection for the future.
Q6. What is the main prasad of Chhath Puja?
Thekua is the most important prasad. It is made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, fried until crisp. Other prasads include kheer, fruits, rice laddus, and sugarcane.
Q7. What should devotees avoid during Chhath Puja?
Devotees avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion, garlic, and impure items. During fasting, salt and refined sugar are not used. Anger, quarrels, and uncleanliness are strictly avoided as purity of body and mind is central to the vrat.
Q8. What is the spiritual benefit of Chhath Puja?
The vrat brings health, longevity, prosperity, and protection of children. It connects devotees with nature, strengthens family bonds, and uplifts the soul with discipline and devotion.
