Chhath Puja 2025: A Divine Celebration of the Sun, Earth, and Self

Nested right at the heart of India's festive calendar is a festival so pure and powerful that it appears to be a poem written for nature herself. That festival is Chhath Puja, an ancient ritual in which respect is not only spoken, but lived. More than a festival, Chhath is a four-day sojourn of spirituality that connects human awareness to the cosmos, worshiping the Sun God, Surya, as the highest sustainer of life. It's a time when one can be an eyewitness to religion, experienced in the cool river waters and warmth of the dawn.

In contrast to most great festivals, Chhath's beauty is simplicity and restraint. No priests, no deities; the communion is intimate and direct. It's a naked, unadulterated outpouring of thanksgiving, most fiercely tied in with the cultures of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, where entire communities come alive with its spirit.

The Four-Day Pilgrimage of Devotion

Chhath isn't a dash; it's a marathon of devotion spread over four richly meaningful days.

Day 1: Nahay Khay – A Holy Start

The festival begins with Nahay Khay, the day of purification. Pilgrims, or Vratis, purify themselves in a sacred bath in a river, washing away the profane to make way for the divine. At home, the first meal is prepared with complete purity—a simple, sattvic preparation of bottle gourd and rice. This meal is not just food; it's an offering that purifies the palate for the days of self-abstinence that lie ahead.

Day 2: Kharna – A Vow of Perseverance

Kharna marks the beginning of the true test of will of the festival. The Vratis observe a day-long fast, breaking it soon after dusk with a special prasad of kheer (sweet rice pudding prepared with jaggery) and rotis. It is a small meal that gives them their last sustenance before embarking on an intense 36-hour fast, abstaining from food and water too. It is an instant of restrained resolve, toughening the body and spirit for the sacred task that lies ahead.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – An Ode to the Setting Sun

This is the heart-stirring climax of Chhath Puja. While evening colors the sky, river banks, and ponds are a kaleidoscope of light and piety. Families gather, and the Vratis stand in the water waist-deep, a posture of complete submission and dedication. They perform Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) to the setting sun, lifting bamboo baskets carrying fruits, sweets, and the quintessential, homemade Thekua. The atmosphere reverberates with ancient folk songs, creating a moment of communal prayer that is both powerful and deeply intimate.​

Day 4: Usha Arghya – Welcoming the Dawn of Life

At the quiet, pre-dawn moment, the devotees once more stroll back to the water's edge. They wait patiently for the horizon to glow, ready to receive the dawn break with Usha Arghya (morning offerings). With the first light, they offer, and it is over. The Vratis break their 36-hour fast, typically by sipping a little ginger water and a prasad, sharing the blessings of the sun with their loved ones.

More Than a Ritual, A Way of Life

Chhath Puja is a lesson in cycles—of day and night, of life and rebirth. It's a strong reminder of our place of reliance on nature and the need to live in thanksgiving. In today's hectic world, the festival invites us to take a halt, to seek purity in simplicity, strength in self-discipline, and joy in fellowship. It's a festival that cleanses the heart and beautifully reminds one that the deepest connectivities are usually the most primitive ones.