Chhath Puja 2025: A Sacred Festival of Devotion to the Sun God

Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and significant Hindu festivals, especially celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. It is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and his consort Usha (Chhathi Maiya). The festival symbolizes purity, devotion, and gratitude and is marked by rigorous fasting, holy bathing, and offering prayers at sunrise and sunset.

In 2025, Chhath Puja will be observed from Wednesday, October 29 to Saturday, November 1, 2025, spanning four spiritually rich days.

Chhath Puja 2025: Important Dates

 Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a nature-worshipping festival that expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and granting health, wealth, and prosperity. Devotees believe that worshipping the sun during Chhath Puja helps cure diseases, fulfill wishes, and cleanse both body and soul.

It’s also the only major Hindu festival where the setting sun is worshipped along with the rising sun, symbolizing the cycle of life and death and the balance of energies.

 Rituals and Customs of Chhath Puja

The festival is marked by its strict discipline, purity, and simplicity. Here’s a look at each day’s rituals:

1. Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat)

On the first day, devotees take a holy dip in a river or pond, especially the Ganga. The house and kitchen are cleaned, and a special satvik meal—usually kaddu bhat (pumpkin and rice)—is prepared. The food is strictly vegetarian and cooked without garlic and onion.

2. Kharna (The Second Day Fast)

This day involves a full-day fast without water, which is broken in the evening after offering prayers with kheer (rice pudding), puris, and bananas. After that, a 36-hour waterless fast (nirjala vrat) begins, showcasing the deep devotion of the participants.

3. Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering to the Sun)

The most visually stunning part of the festival, this day sees devotees and families gather on riverbanks or water bodies to offer arghya (offerings) to the setting sun. Women in traditional sarees carry decorated baskets filled with thekua (a traditional sweet), fruits, sugarcane, and coconuts and offer prayers with lamps and chants.

4. Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)

On the final day, devotees return to the water bodies before dawn to make the second arghya to the rising sun. This ritual marks the end of the fast, followed by sharing prasad (holy offering) and blessings among friends, family, and neighbors.

 Cultural Importance and Regional Variations

Though Chhath Puja is rooted in Bihar’s cultural traditions, it is now celebrated across India and abroad wherever Bihari and Purvanchali communities reside. Cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even New York and London host large-scale celebrations in local water bodies or artificial ghats.

The festival has grown beyond its religious roots to symbolize community bonding, environmental awareness, and cultural pride.

Chhath Puja and Sustainability

Interestingly, Chhath Puja promotes eco-conscious living. All offerings are biodegradable, no loud music is played, and rituals are performed with minimalism and mindfulness. Many government bodies now set up eco-friendly ghats and organize clean-up drives during and after the festival.

 Popular Offerings (Prasad) of Chhath Puja

Some of the traditional offerings prepared during Chhath Puja include:

• Thekua – a crispy sweet made of wheat flour and jaggery

• Kheer – rice pudding cooked in milk

• Seasonal fruits like bananas, sugarcane, and coconuts

• Rice laddus and homemade sweets

• Earthen diyas (lamps) for lighting during prayers

These prasad items are not only symbolic but also a representation of the region’s rich food heritage.

Spiritual Lessons from Chhath Puja

Chhath is more than just rituals—it’s a test of willpower, gratitude, and discipline. It teaches us:

• Respect for nature and all living beings

• The importance of cleanliness and hygiene

• Devotion through sacrifice and patience

• Community support and harmony