WHAT IS
CHHATH PUJA?

What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja, also known as Chhathi, is a vibrant and significant festival celebrated by people of North India, particularly in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. It is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his consort Usha (Chhathi Maiya), and it holds great cultural and religious importance. Chhath Puja is observed to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on earth and seeking blessings for well-being, prosperity, and success.
During Chhath Puja, devotees observe rigorous rituals that span four days. The festival begins with the Nahay Khay, where devotees take a holy bath and consume a strict vegetarian diet. This is followed by the Lohanda and Kharna, where fasting is observed, and devotees offer prayers, followed by the preparation of traditional delicacies like Thekua, Kheer, and Roti.
The main day of Chhath Puja is Surya Shashti, the day on which the rising and setting sun are worshipped. Devotees gather at the banks of rivers, ponds, or any water body to offer prayers to the Sun God during sunrise and sunset. The rituals involve standing in water, singing devotional songs, and making offerings using earthen lamps and bamboo baskets filled with fruits, flowers, and sweets. The sight of devotees standing in waist-deep water, with the sun as a backdrop, is awe-inspiring and fills the atmosphere with spiritual fervor.

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