15 नवंबर
Chhath Puja
A rigorous four-day fast honouring the Sun God — the grand festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP
See all Surya content →History
Chhath Puja is a four-day observance centred on Kartik Shukla Shashthi — comprising Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya (evening offering to the setting sun), and Usha Arghya (morning offering to the rising sun). It honours the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi), traditionally observed for the well-being of one's children and family. It is the grandest folk festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, now celebrated by diaspora communities worldwide.
Significance
Chhath Puja is known for its rigour — devotees observe a waterless fast for over 36 hours and stand in a river or pond to offer arghya to the sun. It is also seen as a festival of nature-worship and cleanliness, since thoroughly cleaning the ghats is an integral part of the preparations.
Puja Vidhi
Day 1 (Nahay Khay): bathe and eat a simple sattvic meal. Day 2 (Kharna): fast through the day, then break it with jaggery kheer prasad. Day 3: stand in a river or pond in the evening to offer arghya to the setting sun. Day 4: offer arghya to the rising sun at dawn, completing the 36-hour fast.
Muhurat
The exact timing for evening and morning arghya depends on local sunrise/sunset times — always verify with the local Panchang.
Check today's Panchang →Do's & Don'ts
✅ Do
- • Pay special attention to cleanliness at the ghat and puja area
- • Prepare prasad (thekua, fruits) with purity and sattvic care
- • Offer arghya at both sunset and sunrise
❌ Don't
- • Avoid using leather items during the fasting period
- • Take great care to keep puja materials and prasad free of impurity