Chhath Puja 2025: Date, History, Significance and Rituals

Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred and ancient Hindu festivals dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his wife Usha (the Goddess of Dawn). The festival is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal, but its fame and devotion have spread across the world wherever Indians live. Known for its purity, discipline, and environmental respect, Chhath Puja is observed to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and to seek his blessings for health, wealth, and happiness.

Chhath Puja 2025 Dates

In 2025, Chhath Puja will begin on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, and end on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The festival lasts for four days, and each day has its own special significance and rituals.

The first day is known as Nahay Khay, when devotees take a holy bath and consume only satvik (pure) food. The second day is Kharna, during which they observe a strict fast that ends after sunset. The third day is Sandhya Arghya, where offerings are made to the setting sun, and the final day is Usha Arghya, dedicated to the rising sun. After performing the last morning ritual, devotees break their fast and share the prasad with family and friends.

History of Chhath Puja

The history of Chhath Puja is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu traditions. The word “Chhath” means “sixth,” referring to the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika. The festival is believed to be as old as the Vedic period, when sages and saints performed rituals to worship the Sun God for his energy and life-giving power.

According to Hindu mythology, Karna, the son of Lord Surya and Kunti, was the first person to perform Chhath Puja. It is said that he became a great warrior and ruler by the blessings of the Sun God. Another legend connects the festival to the Ramayana — when Lord Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, they observed fasts and offered prayers to the Sun God on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. This practice is believed to mark the beginning of Chhath Puja.

In the Mahabharata, it is also mentioned that Draupadi and the Pandavas performed Chhath Puja to regain their lost kingdom. These mythological references highlight that this festival is not only about religious faith but also about gratitude and the harmony between humans and nature.

Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning. Unlike most Hindu festivals, it involves no idol worship. Devotees worship the natural elements — water, sunlight, air, and earth — which together sustain life on Earth.

The main significance of Chhath Puja can be understood through several aspects:

1. Worship of the Sun God:
The Sun is considered the eternal source of energy and power. Worshiping Surya Dev symbolizes the acknowledgment of his role in maintaining life and granting good health and prosperity.

2. Spiritual Purification:
The rituals of Chhath Puja promote purity of mind, body, and soul. Devotees maintain cleanliness, avoid anger or negativity, and perform each ritual with full devotion and discipline.

3. Respect for Nature:
The festival teaches harmony with nature. By offering prayers to the setting and rising sun near rivers or lakes, devotees express gratitude toward the natural elements.

4. Health and Scientific Benefits:
The early morning and evening sun rays are rich in healing energy. Standing in water and offering arghya during these times is believed to have detoxifying effects and improve energy levels.

5. Strengthening of Family and Community Bonds:
Chhath Puja brings families and communities together. Neighbors help each other prepare prasad, decorate ghats, and organize collective prayers, fostering unity and love.

Rituals of Chhath Puja 2025

Chhath Puja is observed over four consecutive days, and each day is filled with devotion, fasting, and gratitude.

Day 1 – Nahay Khay (October 28, 2025)

The festival begins with Nahay Khay, meaning “bath and eat.” Devotees take a holy dip, often in the Ganges or any clean water body, and bring water home for preparing food. The meal of the day includes rice, chana dal, and pumpkin cooked in pure ghee. This marks the start of spiritual cleansing and preparation for the upcoming fasts.

Day 2 – Kharna (October 29, 2025)

The second day, called Kharna, is a day of strict fasting. Devotees refrain from food and water throughout the day. In the evening, after sunset, they prepare “Rasiya Kheer” (sweet rice pudding made with jaggery) and chapati as offerings. After offering these to the Sun God, they break the fast and again begin a 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without water) that continues till the morning of the fourth day.

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (October 30, 2025)

This is the most important day of Chhath Puja. Devotees gather near rivers, ponds, or lakes to offer “arghya” to the setting sun. The ritual involves standing in water, holding bamboo baskets filled with fruits, thekua (a sweet made of wheat flour and jaggery), and other offerings. The atmosphere becomes divine with traditional songs, chants, and lamps illuminating the ghats. Families come together to pray for health, prosperity, and the well-being of their loved ones.

Day 4 – Usha Arghya (October 31, 2025)

The final day of Chhath Puja is known as Usha Arghya, dedicated to the rising sun. Before dawn, devotees gather at the ghats again and offer water and prayers to the first light of the morning. It symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and gratitude for the blessings received. After completing this ritual, devotees break their fast and distribute prasad among family and friends. The fast-breaking marks the end of this four-day sacred festival.

Traditional Offerings and Prasad

The food items prepared during Chhath Puja are simple, pure, and made without salt, onion, or garlic. The most common offerings include Thekua, a sweet biscuit made of wheat flour and jaggery; Rasiya Kheer, made with rice, jaggery, and milk; Fruits, coconut, and sugarcane, symbolizing natural abundance and purity. Every item used during Chhath Puja is considered sacred and prepared with complete devotion.

Celebration Across India and the World

While Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are considered the heartlands of Chhath Puja, the festival is now celebrated across India and even internationally. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Patna, special arrangements are made at riverbanks and artificial ponds so that devotees can perform rituals conveniently. In Nepal, particularly in the Terai region, Chhath Puja is observed as a public holiday with rituals similar to those in India. The unity, faith, and devotion seen during this festival make it a remarkable celebration of Indian culture.

Modern Relevance of Chhath Puja

In modern times, Chhath Puja continues to hold great importance, not just as a religious event but also as a symbol of ecological balance, discipline, and gratitude. The festival teaches the value of simplicity, purity, and respect for nature — qualities that are increasingly vital in today’s fast-paced world. Even in urban areas, devotees celebrate the festival with the same devotion, ensuring that traditional values are passed on to future generations.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja 2025 is not merely a festival; it is a spiritual journey of faith, devotion, and gratitude toward the Sun God. It reminds us of our deep connection with nature and the eternal importance of light, energy, and purity in our lives.

As millions of devotees stand waist-deep in rivers and lakes, offering arghya to the setting and rising sun, the glow of diyas and the sound of devotional songs fill the atmosphere with divine energy. Chhath Puja inspires every devotee to live a life of simplicity, harmony, and thankfulness — values that are as timeless as the rays of the morning sun itself.

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