“Nahay Khay” the start to the most sacred observance of Chhath. Nahaay Khay word for word means “bathe and eat”, where Nahaay is Bathe and Khay means eat. Nahay Khay is the first day of the Chhath Puja festival.
Chhath or the Chhath Mahaparv as it is popularly and lovingly called is mainly observed in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and in some parts of Nepal as well. Nahaay Khay the first day of Chhath is all about cleansing and purifying. The main fundamental idea of this day is that your body, your mind, your soul, your house, your streets and nearby water bodies all be cleaned and cleansed. This day sets the ball rolling for the strict fasting and wavering dedication that is about to follow.
Date & Time of Nahay Khay
- In 2025, the 4 day festival of Chhath is scheduled to start from the 25th of October and will continue till the 28th of October. Thus Nahay Khay will be observed on saturday, the 25th of October. www.ndtv.com
- The accurate Shubh Muhurat for nahaay (bathing) and khay (to start your first meal) varies from one area to another. This depends on the sunrise and the sunset time in that area. muhurats (auspicious times) for bathing and starting the meal vary by region and by local sunrise/sunset times; for example, for 2024 one source listed sunrise at 6:15 a.m. and sunset at 5:52 p.m. for Nahay Khay. The Daily Jagran
- Nahaay Khay is observed on the Chaturthi of the Kartik month which is the Shukla Paksha as per the Hindu calendar. The day is determined by the position of the new moon.
Rituals of Nahay Khay
The sacred day of Nahaay Khay entails the following rituals and customs which take place throughout the day:
- Do take early morning bath
Devotees and believers wake up really early, that is before sunrise and clean their houses and take a bath. If possible, take a bath in nearby water bodies like river, pond or lake and dip your whole body in water. The bath signifies purify and cleanse not only your body but also mind and past karma. - Purification and cleansing of the house and kitchen
Devotees not only clean themselves but purify kitchenware, utensils, house and cooking areas as well. In many areas the vrati or the one who is observing the fast is the one who cooks the sattvic or the soul food on this day,The household is cleaned; utensils, stoves and cooking areas are purified. Only the fasting devotees (vratis) may cook the special food. - Kaddu Bhaat
After the above mentioned rituals are complete, the believers prepare their simple vegetarian meal. The meal on this day consists of bhaat (steamed white rice), chana dal (lentils) and kaddu (bottle gourd). - Bhog to Surya Dev and Chhati Maiyya The meal prepared on this day should be very simple with the least amount of spices and oil. The meal is onion and garlic free. After preparing the meal, it should be first offered to Surya Devta or Sun and to Chhathi Maiyya. Then after presenting the foods to the deities it should be consumed and should be considered prasad (offering of God). Make sure everyone consumes food only after taking a head wash.
- Beginning of the spiritual journey Nahay Khay is the first step to the staircase of this most pious Chhath festival. It gets everyone mentally and apiritually ready. Everyone braces themselves and vows to themselves and to Surya Devta and Chhathi Maiyya that they will observe the fast and all other rituals with the utmost discipline and dedication.
Significance & Symbolism of Nahaay Khay
Nahay Khay is a deep rooted, multifaceted and one of the few festivals wherein sun which is the most radiant creation of nature is worshipped.
- Purification and renewal: The nahay and the khay on this day, that is the symbolic purification bath and the simple soulful meal are a representation of how we need to give away and forget the wrong doings and the burden of the past and surrender to the nature before the start of a pious custom and festival.
- Gratitude to the sun and nature: The pious festival of Chhath respects and honours the Sun, and it is the only festival that pays its respects to not only the rising sun but also to the setting sun. Chhath Puja is also about praying to Chhathi Maiyya who fulfills the wishes if asked to with full dedication. Nahay Khay is the start to this festival of paying respect and gratitude to all of this.
- Sattvic and simple lifestyle: Just like the Kaddu bhaat the simplest meal which is prepared on Nahay Khay this day reminds us that simple and close to nature choices are the best ones. It teaches us that nature is the biggest architect and we all should learn from it on how to care for one and all.
- Community & family bonding: Family comes together during this time of the year. They make sure that no matter where they are living and how busy they are, they take out time to come together, cook together, eat together and pray together. This festival teaches us the value of family and relationships.
- Symbolic of life-cycles: Water, bathing, food, sunrise and sunset, all connect to birth, transformation, refreshing and renewal. Nahay Khay is the start to the journey of introspection and devotion.
How Nahay Khay fits in the Four-Day Chhath Festival
The four-day Chhath festival entails:
- Day 1: Nahay Khay – Bathing and preparing and eating Kaddu Bhaat which is a simple meal. It symbolizes purification.
- Day 2: Kharna – Devotees fast through the day and have only prasad which is roti and kheer in evening.
- Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – Arghya is offered to the setting sun while standing in water while fasting since last having Kharna prasad.
- Day 4: Usha Arghya (Parana) – Arghya is offered to the rising sun while fasting since kharna and after the morning Arghya, Paran is done which is breaking of fast.
Nahay Khay is the foundation stone of this Mahaparv Chhath, which sets the mind and body in the right space.
Concluding Thoughts
Nahay Khay has a deep underlying importance and significance which is the preparatio of mind, surroundings and body for the strict and rigorous fasting of Chhath. It is a very unique festival and probably the only festival which pays respect and worship of the setting sun, explaining to us that if we accept something or someone we have to accept them with allour heart with all their traits.
Nahay Khay and Kaddu Bhaat teach the beauty of simplicity and the beauty of nature. It teaches us gratitude and humility. It teaches us that if we are ready to surrender to the divine, we first leave all our burdens and past karma behind and surrender to the divine power.
Nahaay Khay and Chhath show us how important nature and all its elements like, food, water and sun are. If this festival is observed with utmost dedication and discipline all our wishes that do not have any bad ulterior motives ger fulfilled and we feel a freshness in our souls. Let’s all bow and show our gratitude to the superpower that is nature.
My favorite festival ❤️