Chhath Puja 2025: Importance of Worshipping Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya
Chhath Puja 2025: Significance, Rituals, Dates & Celebration Guide
Introduction
India is known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse festivals, and Chhath Puja holds a special place among them. This ancient Hindu festival is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to be the sister of Surya Dev. It is celebrated with great devotion and purity, especially in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal.
In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from October 26 to October 29, with devotees observing strict rituals and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun for the well-being, prosperity, and happiness of their families.
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🌞 Chhath Puja 2025 Dates and Calendar
Nahay Khay: October 26, 2025 (Sunday)
Kharna: October 27, 2025 (Monday)
Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering): October 28, 2025 (Tuesday)
Usha Arghya (Morning Offering): October 29, 2025 (Wednesday)
This four-day festival marks one of the most spiritual and eco-friendly celebrations in India.
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🙏 The Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient Vedic festivals that finds mention even in the Rigveda. It is believed that the tradition of worshipping the Sun God for good health and prosperity has been followed since the times of the Mahabharata, when Kunti and Draupadi performed similar rituals.
The Sun God is the source of energy and life. Devotees express gratitude by observing fasts, maintaining purity, and performing rituals near rivers or water bodies. Chhathi Maiya, also called Usha, the goddess of dawn, is worshipped for protecting children and granting longevity.
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🌿 Day-by-Day Rituals of Chhath Puja
1. Nahay Khay (Day 1)
This marks the beginning of the festival. Devotees take a holy dip in rivers or ponds early in the morning and bring the sacred water home. The house is cleaned thoroughly, and devotees eat only one meal—Kaddu-Bhat (pumpkin, lentils, and rice)—cooked in pure ghee. It signifies cleansing the body and soul before the upcoming fast.
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2. Kharna (Day 2)
The second day is called Kharna or Lohanda. On this day, devotees observe a strict fast without water throughout the day. In the evening, after sunset, they prepare Gud-Kheer (jaggery rice pudding), fruits, and roti to offer to the deity. After the offering, devotees break their fast and share the Prasad with family and neighbors.
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3. Sandhya Arghya (Day 3)
This is the most important day of the festival. Devotees, mostly women, observe a 36-hour long nirjala vrat (fast without water). In the evening, they gather near rivers, lakes, or ghats with their families to offer Arghya (water offering) to the setting sun. The scene is truly divine, with thousands of devotees standing in water with bamboo baskets full of fruits, sugarcane, and thekua (a traditional sweet).
Women wear traditional sarees, often in yellow or red, and sing folk songs like “Kaanch Hi Baans Ke Bahangiya” that fill the atmosphere with devotion.
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4. Usha Arghya (Day 4)
The final day of Chhath Puja is dedicated to the rising sun. Devotees reach the riverbanks before sunrise to offer the morning Arghya and pray for the well-being and prosperity of their loved ones. After the offering, the fast is broken by consuming the Prasad and distributing it among family and friends.
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🌻 Traditions and Offerings of Chhath Puja
Thekua: A traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, offered as prasad.
Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, sugarcane, and seasonal fruits are used in offerings.
Soop and Daura: Bamboo baskets are used to carry the offerings.
Earthen lamps (Diya): Lit during both Arghyas to symbolize purity and devotion.
Holy Bathing: Taking a dip in sacred water bodies is considered auspicious.
The festival emphasizes simplicity, purity, and environmental consciousness—no idols, no loud music, just pure faith and nature worship.
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🌅 Scientific and Environmental Significance
Beyond its religious importance, Chhath Puja carries scientific relevance too. Worshipping the Sun helps in balancing energy within the body, improving immunity, and promoting mental health. Standing in water during sunrise and sunset allows absorption of solar energy through the body, which is believed to have therapeutic benefits.
Moreover, Chhath Puja promotes eco-friendly practices — using natural ingredients, avoiding plastic, and keeping rivers clean. It’s truly a celebration of harmony between humans and nature.
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💫 Chhath Puja in Different States
Bihar:
The heart of Chhath Puja celebrations. Every ghat, from Patna’s Ganga Ghats to small village ponds, glows with diyas and devotion. The songs, rituals, and community participation make it a grand affair.
Uttar Pradesh:
In cities like Varanasi and Prayagraj, the ghats witness thousands of devotees offering Arghya to the Sun God with chants of “Chhathi Maiya ki Jai.”
Jharkhand & Nepal:
People here celebrate with equal faith and cultural enthusiasm. The festival connects rural and urban communities with their traditions.
Delhi & Mumbai:
With the migration of people from Bihar and UP, Chhath Puja has become a major festival in metros too. The Yamuna ghats in Delhi and beaches in Mumbai see grand celebrations every year.
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🪔 Folk Music and Cultural Spirit
Folk songs play an important role in Chhath Puja. These songs are expressions of gratitude, emotions, and devotion. Some popular Chhath songs are:
“Uga Hai Suruj Dev, Bhail Bhinsarva”
“Kaanch Hi Baans Ke Bahangiya”
“Patna Ke Ghat Pe Chhathi Maiya”
The rhythm of dholak and traditional beats fill the air with festive joy.
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🌸 How to Celebrate Chhath Puja at Home
For those who can’t visit ghats, Chhath Puja can be celebrated at home with complete devotion:
1. Clean your home and surroundings.
2. Set up a small water area (like a tub or bucket) symbolizing a river.
3. Prepare traditional prasad such as thekua, rice laddoos, and fruits.
4. Offer Arghya with water, flowers, and diya to the setting and rising sun.
5. Maintain purity in thoughts, words, and actions throughout the festival.
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🌞 Chhath Puja 2025 — A Festival of Faith and Positivity
Chhath Puja is not just a festival; it’s a reminder of our connection with nature, purity, and discipline. It teaches us the value of self-control, gratitude, and respect for natural forces.
As you celebrate Chhath Puja 2025, take a moment to thank the Sun God for sustaining life and providing energy to our planet. Let’s also commit to keeping our environment clean and preserving our traditions for future generations.
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टिप्पणियाँ