Copyright news18
Chhath Puja is one of the most spiritually resonant and culturally vibrant Hindu festivals, devoted to the worship of Surya Dev (Sun God) and his divine sister Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with unwavering devotion and discipline, the festival honors the sun’s vital role in sustaining life and expresses gratitude for health, prosperity, and nature’s bounty. (Image: AI-Generated) In 2025, Chhath Puja will be observed from October 25 to October 28, spanning four days of sacred rituals and communal celebration. (File Photo) Day 1: Nahay Khay – Saturday, October 25The festival begins with a ritual bath in rivers or ponds, symbolizing purification. Devotees then consume a simple, satvik meal – free from onion and garlic – to prepare for the upcoming fast. (Image: AI-Generated) Day 2: Kharna – Sunday, October 26This day marks a rigorous fast observed without water (nirjala vrat) until sunset. The fast is broken with offerings of jaggery kheer, roti, and fruits, shared as prasad in a spirit of devotion. (Image: AI-Generated) Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – Monday, October 27As the sun sets, devotees gather at water bodies to offer arghya, a ritual of presenting prayers and offerings to the setting sun. Traditional bamboo baskets (soop) are filled with thekua, fruits, sugarcane, and other sacred items. (Image: AI-Generated) Day 4: Usha Arghya – Tuesday, October 28The final day begins before sunrise with offerings to the rising sun. After completing the ritual, devotees break their fast and distribute prasad among family and community, concluding the festival with peace and gratitude. (Image: AI-Generated) Chhath Puja is marked by strict fasting, holy bathing, and nature worship. Many devotees observe a 36-hour fast, abstaining even from water. Thekua, a sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, is a signature prasad. Dressed in traditional attire, women in vibrant sarees and men in dhoti-kurta gather at riverbanks or artificial water tanks to perform the rituals with deep reverence. (Image: AI-Generated) More than a religious observance, Chhath Puja is a celebration of discipline, environmental awareness, and spiritual renewal. Worshiping the sun as a life-giver and Chhathi Maiya as a protector of children, devotees seek blessings for well-being and prosperity. The festival’s communal nature fosters social harmony, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in collective prayer. (Image: AI-Generated) Though deeply rooted in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, Chhath Puja has transcended regional boundaries. Indian diasporas around the world celebrate it with equal fervor, preserving traditions and gathering at local water bodies. Folk songs, rituals, and community gatherings create a unique blend of austerity and joy, making Chhath Puja a truly inclusive and spiritually uplifting experience. (Image: AI-Generated)
