By Kirti Chauhan
Copyright timesnownews
Chhath Puja is a special festival for the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya. It is mostly celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. People thank the sun for giving life, light, and energy. The unique thing about Chhath is that people pray to both the setting sun and the rising sun. Everyone keeps the place clean, sings songs, and prays together. In 2025, the main evening prayer (Sandhya Arghya) will be on Monday, 27th October. Chhath Puja 2025 DateHere are the key dates for Chhath Puja 2025: DayDateDay of WeekChhath Puja DayTithiObservance/ RitualSunrise SunsetDay 125th October 2025Saturday / शनिवारChhath Puja 1ChaturthiNahay Khay06:28 AM05:42 PMDay 226th October 2025Sunday / रविवारChhath Puja 2PanchamiLohanda and Kharna06:29 AM05:41 PMDay 327th October 2025Monday / सोमवारChhath Puja 3ShashthiChhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya06:30 AM05:40 PMDay 428th October 2025Tuesday / मंगलवारChhath Puja 4ShashthiUsha Arghya, Parana Day06:30 AM05:39 PMSpiritual Meaning of Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is not just a festival – it is about health, discipline, and respect for nature. People believe that by worshipping the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya (considered his consort), they get energy, peace, and blessings. This puja is also believed to bring good health, children’s safety, and prosperity. People do Chhath Puja mainly for: Saying thank you to nature and waterGood health and safety of childrenFulfillment of wishes and family well-beingCleansing of body and mind Chhath Puja Rituals – Day by Day 1. Nahay Khay (25 October – Saturday)Devotees take a holy bath in a river or pondThey eat only one simple meal of lauki (bottle gourd), rice, and chana dalFood is cooked in clay or bronze pots, on wood or cow dung fire 2. Kharna (26 October – Sunday)Devotees keep a strict fast without food or water (nirjala) from sunrise to moonriseIn the evening, they eat jaggery kheer, roti, and banana after offering it to Chhathi MaiyaAfter this, they begin a 36-hour nirjala fast 3. Sandhya Arghya (27 October – Monday)At sunset, devotees stand in water and offer arghya (water with prasad) to the setting sunThe bamboo basket (soop) has thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut, turmeric root, and diyasPeople sing folk songs, bhajans, and pray together 4. Usha Arghya (28 October – Tuesday)Before sunrise, devotees again offer arghya to the rising sunAfter this, the fast is broken and prasad is shared with family, neighbors, and guestsThe festival ends with peace and thankfulness Chhath Puja Samagri (Things Needed) Soop (bamboo tray)Thekua (jaggery sweet)Coconut with huskSugarcaneFruits like banana, orange, appleRadish, turmeric, gingerRaw milk, honey, ghee, camphor, diyasCotton thread and incense (Only natural and seasonal items are used, no packaged or artificial things.) Where and How to CelebrateAt Riverbanks (Ghats) Rivers, ponds, and lakes are cleaned and decorated with banana trees, rangoli, and diyasPeople gather in large numbers, sing Chhath songs, and do puja together At Home (Cities and Apartments) Rooftops and balconies are turned into small ghatsWater tubs or tanks are used for arghyaDevotees keep the place very clean and sing bhajans Environmental and Cultural ImportanceChhath is 100% eco-friendly – no idols, no colors, no crackersTeaches love for rivers, clean water, and natureNo waste is created during ritualsStrengthens community bonding and shows the power of women’s devotion Events & Festivals
