Chhath Puja 2025: Sacred Festival of Devotion, Rituals and Offerings for Sun God and Chhathi Maiya

Chhath Puja is celebrated after Diwali and holds immense religious importance in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and several other regions. This festival is dedicated to Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, who are believed to bless life with health, prosperity, and happiness. The rituals demand strict purity, discipline, and devotion, making it one of the toughest but most rewarding festivals. Families begin preparations days in advance to ensure everything needed for the puja is ready.

What Are The Ritual Days?

The festival runs for four days and begins with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. Nahay Khay, observed on October 25 this year, involves bathing in rivers or ponds and eating a simple satvik meal like lauki-bhaat or chana dal with rice. This is done to prepare the body for the upcoming fasts. Each day of Chhath carries deep spiritual meaning and requires strict observance.

How Is Kharna Observed?

The second day is Kharna, which falls on October 26 this year. On this day, devotees observe a day-long nirjala fast without water. After sunset, puja is performed and special offerings like jaggery kheer and wheat roti are prepared. Devotees consume this prasad themselves, after which they begin the toughest 36-hour fast without food or water. This period is considered a true test of devotion and discipline.

What Is Offered During Arghya?

The final two days involve offering arghya to the setting and rising Sun. Devotees stand in water and offer milk, fruits, sugarcane, and special prasad called thekua to the Sun God. Items like bananas, coconuts, turmeric, radish, ginger plants, and seasonal fruits are also included. Traditional bamboo baskets are used to carry these offerings. Each item has symbolic value and is believed to bring blessings of health, prosperity, and family well-being.

What Is The Samagri List?

Chhath Puja requires specific samagri or items, such as sugarcane with leaves, bamboo baskets, lota, thali, coconuts, bananas, rice, jaggery, turmeric, ginger, sweet potatoes, pomegranate, and singhara. Other essentials include sindoor, kumkum, diya, kalawa, dhoop, flowers, and new sarees for the rituals. Preparing all these items beforehand ensures the puja is conducted smoothly and respectfully. Families often come together to arrange these items, highlighting the collective spirit of the festival.

Why Is The Festival So Demanding?

Chhath Puja is not just a religious ritual but a test of faith and endurance. Women mainly lead the vrat, believing it brings akhand saubhagya (eternal marital bliss) and family prosperity. The four days are marked by complete dedication, strict fasting, and careful offerings. The purity of body, mind, and surroundings is crucial. This festival symbolizes harmony between nature, family, and devotion, making it unique among Hindu traditions.

What Does Chhath Represent Today?

Even in modern times, Chhath Puja remains deeply rooted in tradition. Millions across India and abroad celebrate it with the same passion. The sight of devotees standing in rivers at sunset and sunrise reflects unshaken faith. Beyond rituals, Chhath binds families and communities, teaching discipline, sacrifice, and unity. As October 25 approaches, preparations are already in full swing, and devotees await the blessings of Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.