Chhath Puja

Significance

A four-day festival of the Sun, chiefly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP — kept with one of the most demanding fasts, and offerings made standing in water to the setting and rising Sun.

The story behind Chhath Puja

Chhath thanks Surya, source of all life and health, and Chhathi Maiya who guards children. Its power lies in its austerity: a long waterless fast, and arghya (offerings) given waist-deep in a river first to the setting sun and again at dawn to the rising sun — the only major rite that honours the sun as it goes down.

How Chhath Puja is observed

• Nahay Khay and Kharna — ritual purity and a single evening meal.
• A 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast.
• Sandhya Arghya to the setting sun and Usha Arghya to the rising sun, standing in water.
• Offerings of thekua, fruit, and sugarcane in bamboo baskets.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja dates (2015–2035)

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.