Chhath Puja 2025: Dates, Rituals, Significance & Celebration Across India | Mahaparva of Chhathi Maiya

Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and spiritually significant Hindu festivals, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to be his sister. This festival symbolizes gratitude towards nature and the life-giving energy of the Sun.

Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, Chhath Puja is now observed all over India and even abroad by devotees from Purvanchal and other regions. The festival lasts for four days, starting from Chaturthi Tithi and concluding on Saptami Tithi with immense devotion, discipline, and purity.

Origin and Belief of Chhath Festival

The origin of Chhath Puja is believed to be from Bihar and the Purvanchal region of India. Over the centuries, it has spread across various states and countries, embraced by millions of devotees.

According to Hindu beliefs, Chhathi Maiya is the daughter of Lord Brahma and the sister of the Sun God (Surya Dev). She is considered the protector of children and the giver of happiness and prosperity. The Sun God is revered as the source of life, food, and energy, hence the festival represents gratitude towards both divine powers.

The two main Chhath festivals are:

• Kartik Chhath (celebrated after Diwali in October–November)
• Chaiti Chhath (celebrated in March–April during Chaitra month)

Both are dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, where devotees offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja and Their Rituals

1. Nahay Khay (Day 1 - 25 October 2025)

The festival begins with Nahay Khay, meaning "Bath and Eat." On this day, devotees take a holy dip in the river and eat only once a simple, sattvic meal made of rice, chana dal, and bottle gourd curry (kaddu bhaji) cooked in pure ghee.
This marks the purification of body and soul to prepare for the upcoming fast.

2. Kharna (Day 2 - 26 October 2025)

The second day is called Kharna or Lohanda. Devotees observe a day-long fast without water, which is broken only after sunset with the Kharna Prasad - jaggery kheer (gur ke kheer), chapati, and fruits.
After this ritual, they begin a 36-hour long Nirjala (waterless) fast, showcasing immense devotion and endurance.

3. Sandhya Arghya (Day 3 - 27 October 2025)

On the third day, devotees gather on riverbanks or ponds to offer Arghya (holy water) to the setting Sun God.
Bamboo baskets filled with offerings like thekua, fruits, sugarcane, rice laddus, and coconuts are used during the evening puja. Families sing folk songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev, creating an atmosphere of devotion and purity.

4. Usha Arghya (Day 4 - 28 October 2025)

The fourth and final day is known as Usha Arghya, where devotees offer Arghya to the rising Sun. This ritual symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and the removal of darkness. After the morning prayers, devotees break their fast (paran) and share prasad with family and neighbors.

Significance and Spiritual Meaning

Chhath Puja is considered one of the most austere and sacred Hindu fasts, symbolizing discipline, devotion, and purification.
The festival expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and seeks his blessings for prosperity, longevity, and well-being.

Spiritually, the festival teaches:

• Respect for natural elements, water, air, sunlight, and earth.
• The value of patience, purity, and self-control.
• The importance of family, unity, and gratitude.

Traditional Prasad of Chhath Puja

During Chhath Puja, all offerings are made using pure and natural ingredients. The main prasads include:

• Thekua – a traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
• Malpua – soft, fried pancakes made with milk and semolina.
• Rice laddus, fruits, coconut, and sugarcane.
  All prasad items are prepared in an earthen stove (chulha) using mango wood, signifying purity and devotion.

Chhath Puja 2025 Dates and Tithi Schedule

These four days of Chhath Puja hold deep religious and cultural importance, observed with unshakeable faith and purity.

Where to Experience Chhath Puja in India

If you wish to witness the grandeur and devotion of Chhath Puja, visit these popular destinations known for their spiritual fervor and vibrant celebrations:

• Patna (Bihar): Famous ghats like Patna Collectorate Ghat and Adalat Ghat attract thousands of devotees every year.
• Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): The sacred Ganga Ghats come alive with chants, diyas, and the divine glow of faith during the Arghya rituals.
• Delhi NCR: Yamuna Ghat and Kalindi Kunj host grand community celebrations, uniting people from all regions.
• Ranchi & Dhanbad (Jharkhand): Local ponds and lakes turn into centers of deep devotion and spirituality during the festival.
• Beyond India: Today, Chhath Puja is not just celebrated within India - it has become a global festival of faith and culture, observed with equal devotion in countries like Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, the United States, and the United Kingdom, where Indian communities keep the tradition alive with great enthusiasm.

Chhath Puja 2025 will be celebrated from 25 October to 28 October with deep faith, love, and respect for nature.
It is not just a festival but a spiritual journey of purity, gratitude, and discipline, reminding us of the eternal bond between humanity and the Sun - the ultimate source of life and energy.