Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival honoring Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Mother Goddess), is a deeply spiritual event celebrated with great reverence across states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Marked by intense fasting, riverbank rituals, and offerings to the Sun, the festival spans four days, beginning on the sixth day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu lunar calendar—typically falling six days after Diwali. This year, Chhath Puja will take place from November 5 to November 8, 2024.
Chhath Puja 2024: Key Dates and Calendar
- Nahay Khay: November 5, 2024
- Lohanda and Kharna: November 6, 2024
- Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering): November 7, 2024
- Usha Arghya (Morning Offering): November 8, 2024
Day-by-Day Significance and Rituals of Chhath Puja
Day 1: Nahay Khay (November 5, 2024)
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, a purification day where devotees, primarily women, take a holy bath in a river or pond. This sacred bath symbolizes purification and devotion as devotees begin their fasting journey. Following the bath, they prepare and consume a single, simple meal, marking the start of the festival's rituals.
- Sunrise: 6:36 AM
- Sunset: 5:33 PM
Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna (November 6, 2024)
On the second day, devotees observe a nirjala vrat, fasting without water from sunrise to sunset. At dusk, they offer a prasad meal to the Sun God, breaking their fast with dishes made of rice, jaggery, and milk. This prasad is shared with family and neighbors, symbolizing gratitude and devotion.
- Sunrise: 6:37 AM
- Sunset: 5:32 PM
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering) - November 7, 2024
The third day is the core of Chhath Puja, where devotees gather by riverbanks or water bodies to offer the Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) to the setting sun. This ceremony is central to Chhath Puja, as devotees seek blessings for health and prosperity while fasting through the night.
- Shashthi Tithi Begins: 12:41 AM on November 7
- Shashthi Tithi Ends: 12:34 AM on November 8
- Sunrise: 6:38 AM
- Sunset: 5:32 PM
Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) - November 8, 2024
On the final day, devotees return to the water at dawn to offer the Usha Arghya to the rising sun, symbolizing hope, renewal, and divine blessings. After completing this ritual, they break their 36-hour fast, marking the conclusion of Chhath Puja with deep gratitude for the blessings of health, prosperity, and family well-being.
- Sunrise: 6:38 AM
- Sunset: 5:31 PM
Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja holds profound spiritual meaning in Hindu culture. It is a unique celebration where devotees worship the setting and rising sun, acknowledging both phases as symbols of life’s cyclical nature. By observing rigorous fasting and offering prayers to Lord Surya, devotees express their reverence for the life-sustaining force of the Sun. The rituals also honor Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to bestow blessings for the health and prosperity of one’s family.
Essential Items for Chhath Puja Rituals
Each day of Chhath Puja requires specific items that hold symbolic value:
- Fruits and Vegetables: Sugarcane with leaves, sweet potatoes, turmeric, ginger plants, and coconuts are essential for offerings.
- Prasad: Thekua (a traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee) and kheer are prepared as part of the ritual offerings.
- Bamboo Baskets (Supas): These are used to carry offerings to the river.
- Brass Utensils and Lamps: Brass pots and lamps symbolize purity and are used in offering arghya to the Sun.
- Fresh Clothes: Devotees wear new, clean clothes as a mark of purity.
Guidelines and Dos & Don’ts
To observe Chhath Puja in its full spirit, devotees follow these guidelines:
- Maintain Purity: Avoid consuming meat, alcohol, and foods like onion and garlic during the festival.
- Strict Fasting: Observers should be prepared for a strict fasting regimen, which includes a 36-hour fast without water.
- Respect Rituals: Chhath Puja rituals are observed with great devotion, so avoiding arguments or distractions is encouraged to maintain a peaceful environment.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is more than a festival; it’s a devotion-driven practice that deepens one's connection with nature and the divine. The rigorous rituals, combined with offerings to both the setting and rising sun, reflect a timeless tradition of honoring life’s cyclical balance.
