Chhath Puja Katha: Vrat Stories That Devotees Should Read During Chhath Puja to Seek the Blessings of Chhathi Maiya (Instagram @chhath festival)
New Delhi: The four-day Chhath Mahaparv began on Friday, November 13, 2026. The first day of this sacred festival is known as Nahay-Khay. On this day, women observing the fast take a holy bath, clean their homes and the place of worship, and begin the rituals by consuming sattvik food.
The celebrations will continue with Kharna on November 14, followed by the offering of Arghya to the setting Sun on November 15. The festival will conclude on November 16 with devotees offering Arghya to the rising Sun. During these four days, special prayers are offered to Chhathi Maiya and Lord Surya.
Just as offering Arghya to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya holds great significance during Chhath Puja, the mythological stories associated with the festival are also considered important. According to religious beliefs, reading or listening to the Chhath vrat katha brings the blessings of Chhathi Maiya. It is believed that observing this fast protects children, brings happiness and prosperity to the family, and helps devotees fulfil their wishes.
Several stories associated with Chhath Mahaparv are linked to King Priyavrat, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Karna and Draupadi. Let us read these traditional stories associated with Chhath Puja.
According to a mythological story, King Priyavrat and his wife, Queen Malini, had no children. Both were deeply troubled by their inability to have a child. One day, on the advice of Sage Kashyap, they performed a Putreshti Yajna to seek the blessing of a child.
As a result of the yajna, Queen Malini became pregnant and gave birth to a son. However, the child was unfortunately stillborn, leaving the king and queen devastated.
It is said that King Priyavrat took his deceased son to the cremation ground and, overcome with grief, began thinking of ending his own life. At that moment, Devsena, also known as Goddess Shashthi, the mind-born daughter of Lord Brahma, appeared before him.
She told the king that she was the sixth part of creation and the goddess who protects children. The goddess advised him to worship her and observe a fast in her honour.
King Priyavrat followed the prescribed rituals and worshipped Goddess Shashthi with devotion. According to religious belief, he was subsequently blessed with the joy of parenthood. Since then, the tradition of worshipping Goddess Shashthi and observing the Chhath fast is believed to have become popular.
According to religious beliefs, after completing their 14-year exile and defeating Ravana, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita returned to Ayodhya. Following the advice of sages, they worshipped the Sun God.
It is believed that on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) in the month of Kartik, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita observed a fast, worshipped the Sun God and offered Arghya to him.
Since then, the tradition of Chhath Puja is believed to have gained special significance, and the festival gradually emerged as an important symbol of popular faith and devotion.
Karna Worshipped the Sun God During the Mahabharata Era
According to the Mahabharata, Karna, the ruler of Anga, was the son of the Sun God and Goddess Kunti. He was considered a devoted follower of Lord Surya.
It is said that Karna would stand waist-deep in a river every day, offer Arghya to the Sun God and worship him. With the blessings of the Sun God, Karna received extraordinary strength, valour and the divine armour and earrings.
For this reason, the tradition of offering Arghya to the Sun God during Chhath Puja is also associated with Karna's devotion and worship.
According to another mythological belief, when the Pandavas lost their entire kingdom in a game of dice and faced several difficulties, Lord Krishna advised Draupadi to worship the Sun God.
Following his advice, Draupadi observed a fast and worshipped the Sun God with faith and devotion on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.
It is believed that the worship helped the Pandavas overcome their difficulties and regain their lost prosperity. Since then, Chhath Puja has also been associated with seeking relief from hardships and praying for happiness and prosperity.
According to religious beliefs, reading and listening to these stories during Chhath Mahaparv is considered highly auspicious. Devotees pray to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God for peace and happiness in their families, the long life of their children, and overall well-being.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on religious beliefs and general information. Top Indian News does not independently verify these claims.
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