🌞 Chhath Puja 2025 – Date, Rituals, Significance, and Vrat Katha

🌾 About Chhath Puja:

Chhath Puja is a major Hindu festival primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal’s Terai region. It is dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the goddess who sustains life on Earth.

The festival is known for its environmental purity, deep devotion, and strict rituals performed over four consecutive days. Devotees observe fasts, maintain cleanliness, and offer arghya to the Sun at sunrise and sunset near rivers, ponds, and ghats.

🪔 Chhath Puja Rituals – Four Sacred Days

1️⃣ Day 1 – Nahay Khay (24 October 2025)

• Devotees take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and clean their homes.
• They prepare satvik food (without garlic or onion), usually lauki-bhaat (bottle gourd and rice).
• The observer (vrati) eats once to begin the purification process.

2️⃣ Day 2 – Kharna (25 October 2025)

• The vrati observes a full-day fast without water.
• In the evening, after sunset, the fast is broken with gur (jaggery) kheer, fruits, and chapatis.
• The next 36 hours are observed as a nirjala vrat (without food or water).

3️⃣ Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (26 October 2025)

• Devotees gather at riverbanks during sunset.
• Offerings of fruits, sugarcane, thekua (traditional sweets), and lamps are made to the setting Sun (Surya Dev).
• Women sing Chhath Geet and pray for the well-being of family members.

4️⃣ Day 4 – Usha Arghya (27 October 2025)

• The final day begins before dawn.
• Devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun, symbolizing gratitude and hope.
• After prayers, the fast concludes with paran (breaking the fast) at home.

🌞 Spiritual Significance:

Chhath Puja is believed to cleanse sins, promote health, and bring prosperity. Worshipping the Sun God ensures life energy and positivity. Chhathi Maiya, the goddess associated with fertility and child protection, blesses families with happiness and continuity.

The rituals represent self-discipline, purity, and gratitude to nature — honoring the Sun, water, and earth as divine sources of life.

🪷 Regional Observance:

• Bihar & UP: Major celebrations at river ghats like Ganga, Kosi, and Saryu.
• Delhi & Mumbai: Migrant communities organize grand Chhath ghats.
• Nepal (Mithila region): Devotees perform rituals on the banks of the Kamla and Bagmati rivers.
• Jharkhand: Tribal and Hindu traditions blend uniquely.

❓ FAQs – Chhath Puja 2025

Q1. When is Chhath Puja in 2025?
A1. Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 24 October (Friday) to 27 October (Monday) 2025, with Usha Arghya on the final day.

Q2. What are the four days of Chhath Puja called?
A2. The four days are Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya.

Q3. What is the significance of Chhath Puja?
A3. The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, symbolizing purity, gratitude, and environmental harmony.

Q4. What food is prepared during Chhath Puja?
A4. Devotees prepare thekua, kheer, fruits, and rice dishes as part of the sacred offerings.

Q5. Where is Chhath Puja celebrated most grandly?
A5. The largest celebrations occur in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and among diaspora communities across India and Nepal.

🌞 Chhath Puja 2025 – Usha Arghya & Paran Day (27 October 2025)

📅 Date and Timings:

• Chhath Puja Paran (Usha Arghya): Monday, 27 October 2025
• Sunrise Time: 06:22 AM
• Sunset (previous day, Sandhya Arghya): 26 October 2025, 05:28 PM
• Puja Significance: Morning Arghya offered to the rising Sun and conclusion of Chhath fast.

🌸 What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is one of the most important Vedic festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Usha, the wife of Surya). It is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Mithila regions as a thanksgiving to the Sun for sustaining life and granting health, wealth, and prosperity.

The festival spans four days, and the Usha Arghya (morning offering) marks its conclusion. Devotees observe a 36-hour nirjala fast (without food and water) and break it only after offering arghya to the rising Sun on this day.

🪔 Rituals and Observances of 27 October 2025 (Usha Arghya & Paran Day):

1. Morning Arghya (Usha Arghya):
   Devotees offer arghya (water offerings) to the rising Sun while standing in rivers or ponds. The rising rays of the Sun are believed to carry healing energy.
2. Prayers to Chhathi Maiya:
   Women sing traditional Chhath songs and pray for the welfare of their family, children, and community.
3. Breaking the Fast (Paran):
   After offering Usha Arghya, devotees end their long fast (vrat) by consuming thekua, gur (jaggery), and fruits as prasad.
4. Community and Family Gatherings:
   Families visit each other to share Chhath prasad and exchange blessings for prosperity and well-being.
5. Cleanliness and Devotion:
   All rituals are performed with strict purity, using natural items such as bamboo baskets, sugarcane, coconuts, and fruits.

🌅 Spiritual Significance:

• The festival symbolizes gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life and energy.
• It purifies the body, mind, and soul through discipline, fasting, and devotion.
• The Usha Arghya represents new beginnings, forgiveness, and inner awakening.
• The rituals promote ecological balance and respect for nature’s five elements.

🙏 Popular Chhath Songs (Geet):

• “Kaanch Hi Baans Ke Bahangiya, Bahangi Lachkat Jaaye”
• “Uga He Suruj Dev, Bhail Bhinsarwa”
• “Patna Ke Ghat Par, Ho Gail Bhinsarwa”

These traditional Bhojpuri and Maithili songs reflect the deep cultural emotions and spiritual devotion associated with Chhath.