Chhath Puja: The Sacred Festival of the Sun, Nature, Devotion and Gratitude
Discover the history, spiritual significance and four-day rituals of Chhath Puja, from Nahay Khay and Kharna to Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, and explore the traditions that celebrate the Sun, nature, family and the enduring spirit of devotion.
Chhath Puja: Where the Sun Meets the Sacred Waters
As the golden light of the setting Sun spreads across rivers and ponds, devotees gather along the water's edge, holding bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, thekua and traditional offerings. Folk songs echo through the surroundings, earthen lamps illuminate the ghats, and families come together in prayer.
This is the beautiful sight of Chhath Puja, one of India's most revered festivals, celebrated with deep devotion, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, the festival expresses gratitude for the life-giving energy of the Sun and seeks blessings for health, happiness and the well-being of family members. Its observance is marked by four days of purification, fasting, preparation and prayer, culminating in offerings to both the setting and rising Sun.
Chhath is more than a religious observance. It is a celebration of nature, discipline, family bonds and community spirit. Whether performed beside a river in Bihar, at a village pond in eastern Uttar Pradesh or at a community ghat in Delhi, the festival brings generations together through traditions that have been lovingly preserved.
What Is Chhath Puja? Understanding Its Meaning and Significance
The word Chhath is commonly associated with Shashthi, the sixth day of the lunar fortnight. The principal observance takes place on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik.
Chhath Puja is also known by names such as Surya Shashthi, Chhath Mahaparv and Dala Chhath in different communities.
The festival is dedicated to the worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, who is revered in regional traditions as a protective mother goddess. Devotees offer prayers for the health, longevity and prosperity of their families, particularly children.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Chhath is that prayers are offered to the setting Sun as well as the rising Sun. The evening offering expresses gratitude for the life and nourishment received, while the morning offering welcomes renewed light and energy.
The observance also places great importance on cleanliness, simplicity, self-discipline and the careful preparation of offerings. Natural elements such as water, sunlight, fruits, grains and sugarcane occupy a central place in its rituals.
History and Traditional Stories Associated with Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is rooted in ancient traditions of reverence for the Sun. Solar worship has a long history in Indian religious thought, where Surya is regarded as a source of light, warmth, energy and life.
The festival's exact historical origin is not established through a single documented account. Its meaning is preserved through regional traditions, devotional practices and stories associated with Hindu epics.
The Sun God in Vedic Tradition
Surya holds an important place in Vedic literature and Hindu worship. The Rigveda contains hymns dedicated to the Sun and its life-sustaining power. The Gayatri Mantra, one of the best-known Vedic prayers, invokes the divine radiance of Savitr, a solar deity.
Chhath reflects this enduring reverence for the Sun through direct offerings made in the presence of natural light and water.
The Story of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita
A popular traditional belief connects Chhath with the return of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita to Ayodhya after their exile.
According to some regional accounts, Rama and Sita observed solar worship after returning to their kingdom. This story is remembered in devotional retellings, although it should be understood as a traditional association rather than a historically established origin of the festival.
The Story of Karna from the Mahabharata
Another popular association links Chhath with Karna, the son of Surya Dev in the Mahabharata.
Karna is remembered for his devotion to the Sun and his practice of offering prayers while standing in water. His association with solar worship has become part of the festival's popular storytelling.
These stories enrich the cultural memory of Chhath. The festival's central message, however, is the expression of gratitude to the Sun and the natural forces that sustain life.
The Spiritual Significance of Worshipping the Setting and Rising Sun
The worship of both the setting and rising Sun gives Chhath a distinctive spiritual character.
In many religious observances, the rising Sun represents new beginnings, hope and renewal. Chhath also honours the setting Sun, recognising the importance of gratitude and respect for every phase of life's natural cycle.
Sandhya Arghya: Gratitude to the Setting Sun
On the third day, devotees gather at rivers, ponds and other water bodies to offer Arghya to the setting Sun.
The ritual represents gratitude for the light, warmth and nourishment received throughout life. The sight of devotees standing in the water with folded hands, surrounded by offerings and glowing lamps, is among the most memorable images of Chhath.
Usha Arghya: Welcoming the Rising Sun
The following morning, devotees return to the water's edge before sunrise to offer prayers to the rising Sun.
This offering represents hope, renewal and the continuation of life. After Usha Arghya, the observance is completed and the devotee breaks the fast through the traditional ritual of Parana.
Together, these two offerings express a beautiful idea: gratitude for what sustains us and faith in the light of a new day.
The Four Days of Chhath Puja: Rituals and Traditions
Chhath Puja is observed over four days, with each day having its own significance and customary practices. Preparation, cleanliness and devotion are central throughout the observance.
Day 1: Nahay Khay – Purification and Preparation
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, meaning bathing and eating.
Devotees take a ritual bath, traditionally in a river or another water body, and prepare their homes for the upcoming observance. The cooking area and utensils are cleaned carefully, and food is prepared according to customary rules.
A simple vegetarian meal is traditionally prepared. In many households, the meal includes rice, chana dal and pumpkin vegetable cooked with minimal seasoning.
Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the period of discipline and ritual preparation. It is a time to cleanse the surroundings, prepare the mind and begin the observance with simplicity.
Day 2: Kharna – Fasting and the Sacred Offering
The second day is known as Kharna or Lohanda.
The devotee observes a fast during the day, which is traditionally broken after sunset following prayers. A special prasad is prepared, commonly including rice kheer made with milk and jaggery, along with roti.
After the offering, the prasad is shared with family members and others present. The devotee then begins the longer period of fasting that continues through the evening and morning offerings.
Kharna is an important stage of the observance, reflecting restraint, dedication and devotion.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – Offering Prayers to the Setting Sun
The third day is the most visually celebrated part of Chhath Puja.
Families prepare the traditional offerings and arrange them in bamboo baskets called soop and daura. These baskets contain seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, thekua, sweets and other ritual items.
As evening approaches, devotees and their families make their way to riverbanks, ponds and designated community ghats.
The devotees stand in the water, hold their offerings and offer Arghya to the setting Sun. Traditional Chhath songs are sung, and the atmosphere becomes filled with devotion and collective celebration.
For many families, Sandhya Arghya is also a deeply emotional occasion. Relatives come together, help prepare the offerings and support the devotee throughout the ritual.
Day 4: Usha Arghya – Prayers to the Rising Sun and Parana
The final day begins before sunrise.
Families return to the water bodies while the surroundings are still quiet and dark. As the first rays of the Sun appear, devotees offer Usha Arghya with folded hands and traditional offerings.
The morning ritual marks the completion of the four-day observance. After offering prayers, the devotee performs Parana, the ritual breaking of the fast, according to family tradition.
Prasad is distributed among relatives, neighbours and members of the community.
The festival concludes with a sense of fulfilment, gratitude and renewed devotion.
Chhath Prasad: Thekua, Fruits and Traditional Offerings
Food offerings are an essential part of Chhath Puja. They are prepared with particular care and according to the customary practices followed by each family.
Many preparations are simple, traditional and made using seasonal ingredients. The offerings reflect the close relationship between the festival, agriculture and nature.
Thekua – The Signature Prasad of Chhath
Thekua is perhaps the most recognisable food associated with Chhath Puja.
It is a traditional sweet prepared using wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, ghee and sometimes fennel seeds or grated coconut. The dough is shaped using traditional wooden moulds or by hand and then fried until golden.
Thekua is offered during the evening and morning rituals and later distributed among family members, neighbours and visitors.
Its preparation is often a family activity, with several generations participating in making the sweet offerings.
Kharna Kheer
Kheer prepared with rice, milk and jaggery is a traditional offering associated with Kharna. It is prepared with care and offered during the evening ritual before the devotee breaks the day's fast.
Seasonal Fruits and Other Offerings
Fruits form an important part of the Chhath offering baskets. Depending on local availability and family customs, these may include:
Bananas and coconuts
Sugarcane
Sweet lime and lemons
Apples and seasonal fruits
Rice-based sweets and laddoos
Thekua and other traditional preparations
The choice and arrangement of offerings may vary between regions and households.
The Traditional Soop and Daura: Symbolism of Chhath Offerings
One of the most recognisable features of Chhath Puja is the use of traditional bamboo baskets.
The soop is a flat winnowing basket, while daura generally refers to a larger bamboo basket used to carry offerings. These are filled with fruits, thekua, sugarcane, coconuts, sweets and other ritual items.
Bamboo craft has a strong place in the festival's material culture. The baskets are often prepared or purchased specifically for the occasion, and their use supports traditional craftsmanship.
Sugarcane is another prominent element. It is offered as part of the ritual arrangements and may also be used to create a decorative canopy during Kosi Bharna.
The use of natural produce and traditional baskets reflects the festival's connection with the earth, harvest and the resources that sustain everyday life.
Kosi Bharna: A Beautiful Night-time Tradition
In many families, a special ritual known as Kosi Bharna is performed on the night following Sandhya Arghya.
A small structure or canopy is traditionally made using sugarcane stalks. Earthen lamps are placed around or beneath it, and baskets containing offerings are arranged as part of the ritual.
The ceremony is observed according to family and regional customs and is associated with prayers, blessings and thanksgiving.
The sight of sugarcane structures illuminated by rows of small lamps adds a special beauty to the night of Chhath. It also reflects the importance of family participation, as relatives and neighbours come together to help prepare the arrangements.
Chhath Folk Songs: Preserving the Cultural Memory of the Festival
Chhath is deeply connected with the folk traditions of Bihar and the surrounding regions.
Traditional songs are sung during the preparation of offerings, while travelling to the ghats and during the evening and morning rituals. These songs often express devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, a mother's prayers for her children, family relationships and the emotions associated with returning to one's ancestral home.
Many songs have been passed down through generations and are remembered through oral tradition.
Their melodies and regional languages give Chhath a distinctive cultural identity. Even when families move away from their villages, singing these songs during the festival helps preserve a connection with their roots.
Chhath Puja Across India: From Bihar to Delhi and Beyond
Chhath is especially associated with Bihar, where it is often described as Chhath Mahaparv. However, the festival is also widely observed in neighbouring regions and among communities living across India and abroad.
Bihar: The Heart of Chhath Mahaparv
Bihar remains one of the most prominent centres of Chhath celebrations.
Riverbanks, ponds and village water bodies become gathering places for devotees. Cities such as Patna witness large community celebrations, while villages preserve family customs and traditional folk practices.
The preparation of thekua, arrangement of bamboo baskets and singing of Chhath songs are important parts of the festive experience.
Jharkhand: Devotion Along Rivers and Ponds
Chhath is widely observed in Jharkhand, where families gather at rivers, reservoirs and local ponds to perform the rituals.
Community participation, traditional offerings and devotional songs are central to the celebrations.
Eastern Uttar Pradesh: A Cherished Regional Tradition
In eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath is observed with strong family and community involvement.
Devotees prepare traditional offerings and gather at local water bodies for Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya. The festival's cultural practices share many connections with those of neighbouring Bihar.
Nepal: Chhath in the Terai Region
Chhath is also an important festival in Nepal's Terai region, where communities observe the four-day rituals with devotion.
Families gather at ponds, rivers and other water bodies to offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun. The festival reflects the shared cultural traditions of the wider Mithila and Bhojpuri-speaking regions.
Delhi and Other Northern Cities
As families from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh have settled in cities across India, Chhath has become increasingly visible beyond its traditional heartland.
In Delhi and the National Capital Region, community celebrations take place at designated ghats, ponds and other water bodies. Similar gatherings are organised in cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and other urban centres.
For many families living away from their ancestral homes, Chhath is an opportunity to reconnect with their regional heritage, maintain family traditions and introduce younger generations to the customs they grew up with.
Traditional Attire and Jewellery: The Cultural Elegance of Chhath
Chhath is first and foremost a festival of devotion, simplicity and discipline. Yet the traditional attire worn by devotees is also an important expression of regional culture.
Women observing Chhath often wear traditional sarees, with colours such as red, yellow, orange and green commonly seen during festive gatherings. The choice of clothing and adornment varies according to family customs and personal preference.
Sindoor, bindi and bangles are familiar elements of traditional festive dressing for many married women. Some also wear necklaces, earrings and other customary ornaments when participating in the rituals.
For the women undertaking the fast, the emphasis remains on purity, comfort and devotion rather than elaborate dressing. Some prefer simple attire and minimal jewellery, while others wear traditional ornaments that hold personal or family significance.
These details reflect the cultural beauty of Chhath without taking away from its spiritual purpose.
At Athizay, we celebrate the enduring beauty of Indian jewellery traditions through heritage-inspired necklaces, earrings and accessories that complement ethnic attire and festive occasions.
The Timeless Message of Chhath: Gratitude, Nature and Togetherness
Chhath Puja carries a message that reaches beyond the rituals themselves.
The Sun gives light and warmth, water sustains life, the earth provides food, and seasonal produce nourishes families. Through its offerings and prayers, Chhath expresses gratitude for these essential elements of existence.
The festival also brings families and communities together. From preparing prasad and arranging bamboo baskets to singing folk songs and gathering at the ghats, every stage involves shared effort and collective participation.
Its observance encourages simplicity, discipline, respect for nature and appreciation for the people who form part of our lives.
Whether celebrated in a village in Bihar or at a community ghat in a distant city, Chhath continues to preserve a living connection between faith, family and cultural identity.
As the first rays of the Sun illuminate the water on the final morning, the prayers of Chhath remind us to welcome each new day with gratitude, humility and hope.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chhath Puja
1. What is Chhath Puja and why is it celebrated?
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. It is celebrated to express gratitude for the life-sustaining energy of the Sun and to seek blessings for family health, happiness and prosperity. The festival is particularly popular in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
2. Who are Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya?
Surya Dev is the Hindu Sun God, revered as the source of light, warmth and life. Chhathi Maiya is a mother goddess worshipped during Chhath, often associated in regional traditions with the protection and well-being of children and families.
3. What is the historical origin of Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is associated with ancient Indian traditions of solar worship and Vedic reverence for Surya. Popular stories also connect the festival with Karna from the Mahabharata and Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. However, there is no single historically established account that conclusively identifies the festival's origin.
4. Why is the setting Sun worshipped during Chhath Puja?
Devotees offer prayers to the setting Sun as an expression of gratitude for the energy and nourishment received throughout life. Worshipping the setting Sun before the rising Sun also reflects respect for the natural cycle of life and the importance of gratitude at every stage.
5. What are the four days of Chhath Puja?
The four days are Nahay Khay, Kharna (also known as Lohanda), Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya. They involve ritual bathing and preparation, fasting, evening prayers to the setting Sun and morning prayers to the rising Sun.
6. What is Nahay Khay in Chhath Puja?
Nahay Khay is the first day of Chhath. Devotees take a ritual bath, clean their homes and prepare a simple vegetarian meal according to family customs. It marks the beginning of the festival's period of purification and discipline.
7. What happens during Kharna?
Kharna is the second day of Chhath. The devotee observes a fast during the day and breaks it after sunset following prayers. Traditional prasad includes rice kheer made with milk and jaggery, along with roti. The longer fast then begins according to the devotee's observance.
8. What is Sandhya Arghya?
Sandhya Arghya is the evening offering made to the setting Sun on the third day of Chhath. Devotees gather at rivers, ponds and other water bodies with baskets of fruits, thekua, sugarcane and other offerings, and offer prayers as the Sun sets.
9. What is Usha Arghya and why is it important?
Usha Arghya is the final morning offering made to the rising Sun on the fourth day. It marks the completion of the main Chhath observance and represents hope, renewal and gratitude. The devotee completes the fast through Parana after the ritual.
10. What is the significance of thekua in Chhath Puja?
Thekua is a traditional sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery or sugar and ghee. It is one of the most recognisable offerings associated with Chhath and is distributed among family members, neighbours and visitors after the rituals.
11. What items are included in a Chhath Puja soop and daura?
Traditional offerings may include thekua, bananas, coconuts, sugarcane, seasonal fruits, rice-based sweets and other items according to family customs. The soop and daura are commonly made from bamboo and are used to carry offerings to the ghats.
12. What is Kosi Bharna during Chhath Puja?
Kosi Bharna is a traditional night-time ritual observed by some families after Sandhya Arghya. It commonly involves arranging sugarcane stalks into a small canopy, decorating the area with earthen lamps and placing baskets of offerings as part of prayers and thanksgiving.
13. Why do women wear traditional sarees and jewellery during Chhath?
Traditional sarees, sindoor, bangles and jewellery form part of festive and devotional attire for many women. The choice varies by family and region. The main emphasis of Chhath remains devotion, cleanliness and discipline, rather than elaborate clothing or ornaments.
14. Is Chhath Puja celebrated only in Bihar?
No. Although Bihar is particularly associated with Chhath, it is also widely observed in Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal's Terai region. Community celebrations have also become prominent in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities where families maintain their regional traditions.
15. When is Chhath Puja celebrated in 2026?
In 2026, Chhath Puja's four-day observance runs from 13 to 16 November. Nahay Khay is on 13 November, Kharna on 14 November, Sandhya Arghya on 15 November and Usha Arghya with Parana on 16 November. Local sunrise and sunset timings should be checked for the place of observance.
A Prayer of Gratitude to the Sun
From the first preparations of Nahay Khay to the final prayers of Usha Arghya, Chhath Puja is a journey of faith, discipline and gratitude. Its traditions remind us of our connection with nature, the importance of family and the enduring strength of India's cultural heritage.
May the light of Surya Dev bring hope, harmony and well-being to every home.
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