Chhath Puja 2024: The four-day Chhath Puja, celebrated both in India and around the world, begins on Tuesday, November 5, and runs through Friday, November 8. Each day of the festival is marked by unique rituals and intense fasting practices. The festival honors the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (Mother Shashti), who is believed to be the sister of the Sun.
The rituals of Chhath Puja are demanding, but those who successfully observe them are believed to receive great spiritual benefits.
When is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja takes place on the sixth day of the Kartik month, which typically falls in October or November. The festival is divided into four key days:
- Nahay Khay: November 5, from 6:36 AM to 5:33 PM
- Kharna: November 6, from 6:37 AM to 5:32 PM
- Sandhya Arghya: November 7, from 6:38 AM to 5:32 PM
- Usha Arghya: November 8, from 6:38 AM to 5:31 PM
What is Nahay Khay?
The first day of Chhath Puja is called Nahay Khay. On this day, devotees take a ceremonial bath (Nahana) in a river, pond, or other water body, after which they prepare a meal. Water from the river or pond is used to fuel a stove (chulha) for cooking. The meal is typically a pumpkin dish, symbolizing purity and devotion.
What is Kharna?
The second day, known as Kharna, involves fasting throughout the day, which is broken only after sunset. Devotees prepare roti (flatbread) and kheer (rice pudding), which are first offered to the gods. Afterward, the family and friends gather to share the meal together, often served on a banana leaf, symbolizing unity and togetherness. Following Kharna, devotees enter a rigorous 36-hour fast, abstaining even from water. This makes it one of the most challenging religious practices, driven by devotion and faith.
What is Sandhya Arghya?
The third day is when the most significant ritual, Sandhya Arghya, takes place. Devotees, usually women, gather at rivers or ponds before sunset. Standing waist-deep in water, they offer “arghya” (water offerings) to the setting Sun while chanting hymns and prayers, expressing gratitude and devotion.
What is Usha Arghya?
The fourth and final day involves the Usha Arghya, where the same ritual is performed at dawn, offering water to the rising Sun. After completing the ritual, devotees return home from the riverbanks, grateful for the spiritual journey and successful observance of the festival. The prasadam (offerings) are then consumed and shared with neighbors, marking the end of the Chhath Puja celebrations.