Chhath Puja is a respected Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion, particularly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and certain parts of Nepal.
This four day festival begins on November 5 and will end on November 8 in 2024. It is devoted to honoring Lord Surya and his sister, Chhathi Maiya, regarded as the sixth form of Devi Prakriti. Celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, or Vikram Samvat, it takes place six days after Deepavali according to the Hindu calendar.
Chhath Puja 2024 full calendar:
Day 1 : Nahay Khay (November 5, 2024)
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Sunrise time- 6:36 am Sunset time- 5:33 pm |
The first day of Chhath Puja, known as Nahay Khay, begins with purification rituals. On this day, women observing the Chhath fast (vrat) have only one meal, and devotees take a holy bath as part of the rituals.
Day 2 : Lohanda and Kharna (November 6, 2024)
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Sunrise time- 6:37 am Sunset time- 5:32 pm |
On the second day devotees follow a strict fast from sunrise to sunset without drinking any water. In the evening, they prepare a special meal of kheer (rice pudding) and roti, which they offer to the Sun God and then share as prasad. This meal ends the day’s fast, and from then on, devotees begin a 36-hour fast without water.
Day 3 : Sandhya Arghya (November 7, 2024)
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Sunrise time- 6:38 am Sunset time- 5:32 pm |
The third day is the most significant in Chhath Puja, as devotees offer Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) to the setting sun. Dressed in traditional attire, families gather at riverbanks and ponds, carrying bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sweets, and offerings. As the sun sets, they stand in water and offer prayers with utmost devotion, expressing gratitude for the blessings received.
Day 4: Usha Arghya (November 8, 2024)
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Sunrise time- 6:38 am Sunset time- 5:31 pm |
On the last day, devotees come together early in the morning to perform Usha Arghya, an offering to the rising sun. They repeat the previous day’s ritual by standing in water and presenting prayers and fruits. After completing the prayers, devotees break their fast by sharing prasad with family, friends, and neighbors, bringing Chhath Puja to a close.
Customs and Traditions of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is deeply rooted in traditional customs. Devotees prepare all offerings with utmost cleanliness and purity, as it is believed that even the smallest impurity can affect the rituals. The use of eco-friendly materials, like bamboo baskets and clay pots, is encouraged to maintain a natural harmony with the environment.
Women play a central role in the celebration, often observing the fasting and leading the prayers. They wear traditional sarees in bright colors, symbolizing purity and devotion, and the festival also includes folk songs and dances that have been passed down through generations.
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