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Chhath Puja 2025: The four-day festival of Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred and rigorous Hindu observances, celebrated six days after Diwali. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his sister, Chhathi Maiya. It is unique in that it involves worshipping both the setting and rising sun, symbolising the cycle of life, nature's energy, and deep gratitude.
Chhath Puja 2025 will be observed from Saturday, October 25, to Tuesday, October 28.
| Day | Date (2025) | Ritual / Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | October 25 | Nahay Khay | Bathe and eat; purification and preparation for fasting |
| Day 2 | October 26 | Kharna / Lohanda | Fast-breaking meal; start of 36-hour Nirjala Vrat (waterless fast) |
| Day 3 | October 27 | Sandhya Arghya | Evening offering to the setting Sun for blessings |
| Day 4 | October 28 | Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) | Morning offering to the rising Sun signifies new beginnings |
The first day of Chhath Puja-Nahay Khay means bathe and eat, where devotees take a holy dip in the river or pond to purify themselves. The entire house and surroundings are meticulously cleaned. The Vrati prepares and consumes a single, pure Satvik meal, which excludes onion or non-rock salt. This day marks the beginning of the spiritual cleansing process, physically and mentally preparing the devotee for the strict fast and spiritual commitment that follows.
The second day marks the start of the primary fasting phase. Lohanda means the moment of the fast-breaking meal. Devotees observe a strict day-long fast without a single drop of water. In the evening, after praying to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun, the fast is broken by consuming a special offering of Gur ki Kheer and Roti. This ritual is an act of extreme self-discipline. After consuming the Kharna meal, the devotee begins the toughest part of the festival: a 36-hour Nirjala Vrat (fast without water) that continues until the morning after the final arghya.
The main day of the festival, known as Sandhya Arghya, is dedicated to the setting Sun. Families gather at riverbanks or water bodies, carrying the Soop (bamboo basket) filled with traditional prasad like Thekua, sugarcane, fruits, and lit diyas. Devotees wade into the water and offer Arghya (water and milk) to the setting Sun, praying for the prosperity and well-being of their children and family.
The final day, dedicated to the rising Sun. Devotees return to the ghats before dawn to await the sunrise. They perform the final Usha Arghya (morning offering) to the first rays of the Sun, seeking blessings for a bright and prosperous future. The fast is then officially broken by consuming the sacred prasad and milk/water. This ritual symbolises new beginnings, hope, and the continuity of life.
Image credits: Freepik
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