Chhath Puja, the oldest and the most traditionally coloured and spiritually enlightened Hindu festival. This festival is about worshipping the brother sister duo of Surya Devta (sun God) and the revered Chhathi Maiyya. This pious festival has since many ages been celebrated in the Indian subcontinent’s states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. It is also celebrated in some parts of Nepal.
But such is the beauty of Chhath Mahaparv that now in almost every part of India and in many countries across the world, Chhath is being observed with much faith and devotion.
Chhath is also popularly called Chhath Mahaparv or Mahaparv which means the festival of the highest stature. Chhath is not just about worshipping, but it is also a representation of thankfulness, dedication and respect. The festival of Chhath pays gratitude and thakfulness to the supreme power that is sun, as it gives life and energy to us ans people also asked to be blessed with peace, health, wealth and prosperity
Chhath Puja Date and Shubh Muhurat in 2025
Chhath Puja festivities spans across a period of four days, and this year in 2025 it starts from Friday, the 25th of October 22 till Tuesday, the 28th of October. Each day has a different feel and symbolism.
Here’s the day-wise schedule and Shubh Muhurat for Chhath Puja 2025:
- Day 1 is Nahay Khay which will be observed on Friday, the 25th of october
On this day the vratis (the one who will observe the Chhath fast) and all other devotees take a bath before eating the first meal of the day. From this day on onion and garlic are not cooked in their households for four days. This day symbolises cleansing and purification. - Day 2 is Kharna which will be observed on Saturday, the 26th of october
The vratis do a day long Nirjala vrat and eat the prasad which consists of roti and kheer only after the sunset. This day symbolizes discipline and prepares the Vratis for the 36 hour long fast. - Day 3 is the Sandhya Arghya which will be observed on the 27th of october, 2025
The evening offering to the setting Sun is one of the most enchanting rituals of Chhath Puja. The Shubh Muhurat for Sandhya Arghya is around 5.40 PM as it is the time of sunset. - Day 3 is the Usha Arghya which will be observed on the 27th of october, 2025
The festival concludes with offering prayers to the rising Sun and Paran (breaking of fast) thereafter. . The Usha Arghya Muhurat is around 6:30 AM which is the approx sunrise time.
Each of these rituals is performed with unwavering faith and devotion, creating a spiritual atmosphere that unites families and communities.
Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a living example of rich culture and heritage of Hindus. This festival is about worshipping Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiyya. Devotees believe that by worshipping SuryaDev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiyya, they can invite upon health, wealth, peace and prosperity.
Surya Dev blesses you with new life, renewed energy, radiance and glory. Chhathi Maiyya is the revered deity who blesses childless women with motherhood and also take care of the children.
This revered festival is so rich that it has even been mentioned in Rigveda. It has also been mentioned that Sun is the central source of new life and energy. It is a legendary Saya, that during the time of Mahabharat, Draupadi and the five Pandavas observed the Chhath Puja to win back their kingdom and lost happiness. Some also say that after Shri Ram (Lord Rama) and Mata Sita returned to Ayodhya after 14 years Vanvas, the did Chhath thanking the Surya Dev for everything.
Chhath not only has mythological roots but extends beyond these. It is celebration of nature and its glory. Elements of nature like Sun, water, earth and fire all are glorified in this festival.
Four Days of Chhath Puja – Rituals and Traditions
Each of the four days of Chhath has a specific importance and connotes a different aspect:
1. Nahay Khay – The first day of cleansing and Purity
The beginning of Chhath Puja and this spiritual journey is Nahay Khay which means bathe and then eat. If possible, Vratis take bath in the Ganga river (Holy Ganges) to purify their body and mind. Thereafter they consume the simple soul food consisting of kaddu-bhaat (bottle gourd with rice) and chana dal (lentils). This meal is so simple that is cleanses the soul.
The houses and nearby water bodies are also cleaned on this day, as it said that Gods bless those who keep their mind and surroundings pure.
2. Kharna – The prelude to the Fasting and Discipline
Vratis observe Nirjala Vrat till sunset on Kharna, the second day of Chhath. Prasad, which is the sacred meal, is [prepared consisting of Gur ki kheer (sweet milk porridge made with jaggery), rotis (chapatis) and banana.
The Prasad is first offered to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiyya as a gratitude and thankfulness to the deities and thereafter consumed by the Vratis. This day prepares the Vratis for the 36 hours long fasting.
3. Sandhya Arghya – Prayer and offering to the Setting Sun
The third day of Chhath Puja is about showing gratitude and worshipping the setting sun and that is why it is called Sandhya Arghya which means offering water to the setting sun in the evening. Vratis all decked up in saris or dhoti go to the nearby waterbodies.
They carry soop (bamboo baskets) which is filled with honey, banana, rice laddoos, coconut, apples, radish, sugarcane, thekua (traditional sweet cookie kind of dessert) and any seasonal fruit that grows at that time. filled with fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, and thekua (a traditional sweet).
Sandhya Arghya (water and prayers) is then offered to the setting Sun and Chhathi Maiyya showing gratitude for our lives and blessings. The view and the atmosphere at the Chhath Ghat is mesmerizing. Everyone whether or not observing the fast can be seen drenched in faith and devotion, thankfulness and respect to the nature and to Chhathi Maiyya can be felt in the air, can be seen in joy filled tears.
4. Usha Arghya and Paran – Gratitude to the Rising Sun
The fourth and final day of Chhath Mahaparv is the Usha Arghya which means morning offering. Just like the Sandhya Arghya everyone gathers near the water bodies really early before sunrise and wait for the glory of sun to shine upon one and all. Once the sun starts rising, vratis and everyone gathered there offers Arghya with water or milk and tears of gratitude can be seen in everyone’s eyes.
Then happens the Paran or the breaking of the 36 hour fast. The vratis eat chhath prasad mainly chana and open fast after worshipping their deities. Prasad is then distributed amongst everyone showing the community love and respect.
The Spiritual Essence of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is not about idol worship, it is about worshipping and thanking nature which is the supreme superpower. Chhath makes everyone understand that it is natre that gives us life, food, water, energy and renewed and refreshed spirit.
On this day devotees become one in unison with nature. Chhath Puja purifies body, mind and soul and does not distinguish between ant two people. Chhath Puja enlightens the inner light and leads to spiritual awakening.
Chhath Puja is a very eco friendly festival where all naturally produced materials like water, and sun are worshipped. Prasad is prepared on mitti ka chulha (earthen stove) using mango leaves, only ghee (clarified butter) is used in prasad, seasonal fruits and produce are used, milk is used and grains like wheat and rice are used. Even the soop used is made of bamboo.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is an emotion and just an observance or a festival. It is called Mahaparv as it bigger and highest in stature due to its closeness to nature. It is a path of cleansing, awakening, dicipline and faith. People fshed all their inhibitions can surrender themselves to nature and Chhathi Maiyya.
The emotions and values of this Puja are so pure and virtuous that even just listening to Chhath Puja sings renders goosebumps and leave you teary eyed. Families come together and celebrate this four-day Mahaparv with no ego and zero jealousy.
Chhath Puja is said to be the most difficult fast in the entire world, but when you look at the faces of Vratis after 36 hours of fasting, there is so much radiance, glory and piousness that it does not seem that they have just undergone such rigorous fasting. Such is the power of faith and devotion in nature and in divinity., May this glory light up the live of everybody.