Chhath Puja: A Sacred Festival Dedicated to the Sun God
An ancient Vedic tradition of gratitude, purity, and devotion
Date
Friday, October 16, 2026
Muhurat Time
6:16 PM
Muhurat Timings
Shashthi Tithi Timings
Start Time: 3:25 AM on 16 October, 2026
End Time: 5:54 AM on 17 October, 2026
Duration: 26 Hours 29 Mins
Chhath Puja is performed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. The entire tithi period is auspicious for this sacred ceremony.
Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)
Start Time: 6:16 PM
Offer prayers to the setting sun standing in water
Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)
Start Time: 6:34 AM
Offer prayers to the rising sun to complete the fast
View Panchang & Choghadiya
What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and rigorous Hindu festivals, dedicated primarily to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (the sixth form of Goddess Prakriti). This four-day festival is a unique celebration where devotees offer prayers to both the setting and rising sun, thanking the solar deity for sustaining life on earth and seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and happiness.
The festival is observed with great devotion mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. What makes Chhath Puja distinctive is its emphasis on purity, self-discipline, and direct worship without any priest or intermediary. Devotees, known as 'Vratis', undergo rigorous fasting and rituals that test their physical and spiritual endurance.
The festival is celebrated with immense devotion and follows strict rituals that have been passed down through generations. The four-day observance requires complete physical and mental dedication, with devotees maintaining utmost purity throughout the period.
Religious and Spiritual Significance
Chhath Puja holds immense religious significance as it is mentioned in ancient Vedic texts and epics. According to the Rigveda, Sun worship was considered the supreme form of worship, as the Sun represents the ultimate source of energy and life. The festival is believed to have been started by Draupadi and the Pandavas in the Mahabharata to solve their problems and regain their lost kingdom.
Another legend connects Chhath to Lord Rama and Sita, who are said to have performed Chhath rituals after returning to Ayodhya from their 14-year exile. The festival represents the victory of good over evil and the power of faith and devotion.
The worship of Chhathi Maiya, considered to be the goddess who protects children and grants longevity, is central to this festival. Mothers especially observe this fast for the well-being of their children and family. The festival emphasizes cleanliness, purity of mind and body, and complete abstinence from worldly pleasures during the four-day period.
The Four-Day Ritual Journey
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Holy Bath)
October 27, 2025 (Chaturthi)
The first day begins with a holy bath in a river, pond, or any water body. Devotees clean their homes and surroundings thoroughly. After the bath, they prepare a simple vegetarian meal, usually consisting of bottle gourd (lauki) and rice. The entire day is spent in preparation and purification, setting the tone for the rigorous days ahead. This meal is called 'kaddu-bhat' and is eaten only once after evening prayers.
Day 2: Kharna (Fasting Without Water)
October 28, 2025 (Panchami)
This is the most difficult day of the festival. Devotees observe a strict fast without even a drop of water from sunrise to sunset (Nirjala Vrat). In the evening, after worshipping the Sun God, they break their fast with prasad consisting of kheer (rice pudding made with jaggery), puris, and bananas. After this meal, the 36-hour waterless fast begins, which continues until the morning prayers on the fourth day.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offerings)
October 29, 2025 (Shashthi)
This is the main day of Chhath Puja. Without consuming any food or water, devotees prepare elaborate offerings and head to the riverbank or any water body in the evening. Standing in water, they offer 'Arghya' (water in cupped hands) to the setting sun, singing traditional Chhath songs. The entire family participates, and the atmosphere is filled with devotion and celebration. Devotees spend the entire night at the riverbank, preparing for the next morning's ritual.
Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offerings)
October 30, 2025 (Saptami)
Before sunrise, devotees gather at the riverbank again to offer Arghya to the rising sun. This marks the conclusion of the 36-hour fast. After the morning prayers, they seek blessings from Chhathi Maiya and distribute prasad to everyone present. The fast is broken with this prasad, which includes fruits and thekua. The festival concludes with families sharing the blessed food and celebrating the successful completion of this demanding spiritual journey.
Rituals and Customs
- Complete abstinence from food and water for 36 hours during the main fasting period
- Standing in water while offering prayers, regardless of weather conditions
- Preparing offerings using traditional methods without garlic, onion, or any impure ingredients
- Maintaining complete physical and mental purity throughout the four days
- Singing traditional Chhath songs and folk music during the rituals
Traditional Offerings (Prasad)
The prasad prepared for Chhath Puja is made with utmost care and traditional methods, without any modern equipment. The main offerings include:
- Thekua: A traditional sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, deep-fried to perfection
- Kheer: Sweet rice pudding made with jaggery, milk, and rice
- Fresh seasonal fruits: Bananas, coconuts, sweet lime, and sugarcane
- Vegetables: Water chestnut, sweet potato, turmeric roots, and ginger
- Traditional bamboo baskets (Daura) and earthen lamps for carrying offerings
- Sweets made from rice flour, coconut, and dry fruits