Chhath Puja is an integral part of Hindu culture which is celebrated with great devotion in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh as well as in Nepal, and focuses on the worship of the Sun God Surya and his wife Chhathi Maiya.

Here’s a quick guide:

What is the Chhath Puja?

It is a four–day festival dedicated to the Sun God, praying for his blessings towards health, wealth, and prosperity.

In return, devotees have to offer Arghya, i.e. water to the sun while it is both rising and setting.

The festival consists of rigidly followed Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya and more.

Central Rituals of Chhath Puja

Day 1 – Nahay Khay

Participants take a purge, perform a ritual bath, and are then required to prepare meals composed solely of vegetables.

Day 2 – Kharna

It is the day when devotees are expected to perform a full-day fast, which is broken in the evenings with a meal of kheer, fruits, and chapati.

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya

Devotees offer Waterless fast and then offer Arghya to the setting sun with foods including fruits, sugarcane, thekua, and fruits in bamboo baskets.

Day 4 – Usha Arghya

This is the last day of the festival and on this day devotees offer prayers to the rising sun while praying for the health, prosperity, and protection of their family.

What is the Importance of Chhath Puja?

It is the only festival on the hindu calendar within which the devotees focus solely on the Sun God.

It encourages and teaches followers of the faith to maintain purity, discipline, and practice eco–friendly worship.

At rituals, it is the women, especially the married ones, who take the lead. However, men also participate in the fasting.