Introduction

Chhath Puja, one of India’s most eco-spiritual and sacred festivals, is celebrated in reverence for Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Mother Shashti). Predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, the festival is an act of deep reverence to the Sun — the ever-continuous source of life and energy.

In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated with great devotion and sanctity, spreading sacred light, vigour, and optimism to millions of families. This festival combines nature worship, discipline, and bhakti so finely that it motivates us to coexist in harmony with nature.

The Importance of Chhath Puja

The term “Chhath” denotes six, the sixth day of the month Kartik in the lunar calendar (Kartik Shukla Shashti). On this day, the energy of the Sun is thought to revive life on earth, and sincere prayers to Lord Surya are supposed to purify body and soul.

Chhath is not only a ritual; it’s done as a gesture of appreciation for the favours of nature — the earth, water, sun, and air. People pray for the family members’ health, wealth, and long life, thanking the Sun for the favours of life.

As per old tales, Draupadi and the Pandavas celebrated Chhath rituals to retrieve their lost kingdom and prosperity. The Rigveda also refers to Surya Arghya (Surya offerings), underlining the festival’s strong Vedic connections.

 The Four Days of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is observed for four days, each representing purification, devotion, and thanksgiving.

1. Nahay Khay (First Day)

The celebration starts with a ritual bath in rivers or ponds early morning. The devotees physically and spiritually clean themselves before having a pure vegetarian lunch, typically lauki-bhaat (bottle gourd with rice) prepared in a purified kitchen.

2. Kharna (Second Day)

On this day, devotees keep a day-long fast which is broken in the evening after presenting prasad of gur (jaggery) kheer and fruits. The meal initiates a 36-hour nirjala (without water) fast, kept with firm faith and courage.

3. Sandhya Arghya (Third Day)

The most pictorially beautiful aspect of Chhath Puja — worshippers congregate on riverbanks or ghats during sunset to perform Arghya (water offering) to the waning sun. Women wear traditional sarees, sing hymns of worship, and stand in knee-deep water with baskets full of offerings, seeking the well-being of the family.

The air turns heavenly with the chanting of “Chhath Maiya ke Geet”, the scent of incense, and thoudands of diyas aglow along the river bank.

4. Usha Arghya (Fourth Day)

The last day is the worship of the sunrise. Early morning before sunrise, the believers return to the ghats to present prayers to the first light of the sun — an icon of new life, purity, and hope. Post offering Arghya, believers break their fast with prasad, distributing it among family members and neighbors as a sign of love and blessings.

 Rituals and Offerings

Each step of Chhath Puja is undertaken with extreme purity and dedication. Typical offerings are:

• Thekua – ancient sweet prepared from wheat flour, ghee, and jaggery
• Sugarcane, coconuts, bananas, and local seasonal fruits
• Earthen diyas to symbolize light and purity
• Wicker baskets (soop and daura) packed with prasad
• Arghya prepared using water, milk, and flowers offered to the Sun
• All these are offered in biodegradable containers, echoing the festival’s affinity towards nature.

 Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja symbolizes the relationship of human beings with nature. It instills qualities of discipline, austerity, and thankfulness. The 36-hour fast by the devotees without food and water indicates spiritual purification and self-discipline, demonstrating that devotion has nothing to do with comfort and opulence.

It is said that praying to the Sun at dawn and dusk brings equilibrium to one’s physical and mental energies, resulting in peace and prosperity.

The Vedic Origin — The First Worship of the Sun

According to ancient scriptures, the tradition of Sun worship (Surya Arghya) began during the Vedic Age. The sages (rishis) used to perform long periods of meditation and survive only on sunlight and water — a practice known as “Pranayama.”
They discovered that the Sun’s energy could purify the mind, body, and soul, giving immense strength and mental clarity. Hence, the ritual of offering Arghya to the Sun evolved as a way of connecting with that cosmic energy.
Chhath Puja, therefore, is considered one of the oldest forms of sun worship, rooted in Vedic science and spirituality.

Harmony with Nature

Chhath Puja is often called India’s most eco-friendly festival. Every ritual — from using clay diyas to offering biodegradable items — emphasizes respect for nature. Devotees clean riverbanks, avoid plastic, and ensure that their offerings do not harm the ecosystem.

Celebrating Chhath Puja with PoojaStore.in

At PoojaStore.in, we honor the devotion and sanctity of Chhath Puja by providing real pooja essentials — brass diyas, copper lotas, soops, pooja baskets, and natural incense. Every product is handmade by skilled artisans, so your rituals can stay pure and traditional.

Let Surya Dev’s light fill your home with health, prosperity, and happiness during this Chhath Puja.

 Conclusion

Chhath Puja is not merely a festival — it’s a celebration of nature, faith, and life. While the rising and setting sun illuminate the waters, let your prayers touch the heavens and your life fully bloom with joy.

Celebrate this Chhath Puja with devotion and purity, and let every diya you light be a reflection of gratitude to the eternal provider of energy — Lord Surya.