Chhath Puja

Manyanshi Joshi
3 days ago
8 min read

🌞 Chhath Puja – Festival of the Sun God

Chhath Puja (also spelled Chath Puja, Chhathi, or Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and his consort Usha (the first light of dawn). It is mainly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Nepal and among the diaspora in other countries.

🗓️ When it’s Celebrated

Chhath Puja usually falls six days after Diwali, during the month of Kartika (October–November) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. There is also a spring version called Chaiti Chhath, celebrated in March–April.

🙏 Significance

Devotees thank Surya Dev for sustaining life on Earth and pray for health, prosperity, and well-being.
It is considered one of the most eco-friendly and strictly disciplined festivals, involving no idol worship.
It emphasizes cleanliness, purity, and devotion.

🌄 Rituals and the Four Days

Nahay Khay (Day 1) – Devotees bathe in holy rivers and prepare a simple, pure meal.
Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2) – A day of fasting that ends after sunset with a meal of kheer and fruits.
Sandhya Arghya (Day 3) – Offerings (arghya) are made to the setting sun at the riverbank.
Usha Arghya (Day 4) – Early morning offerings to the rising sun, followed by breaking the fast.

🪔 Offerings (Prasad)

Thekua (sweet wheat cakes)
Sugarcane
Coconut
Bananas
Seasonal fruits

All offerings are prepared without salt, onion, or garlic.

🎶 Cultural Aspect

Mythological and spiritual background behind Chhath Puja, one of the most ancient and revered Hindu festivals:

🌞 Mythology & Origins of Chhath Puja

1. Worship of Surya Dev (the Sun God)

The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev, who is believed to be the source of all life and energy. Devotees thank him for sustaining life on Earth and pray for prosperity, good health, and well-being.

The Sun is also regarded as a visible deity (Pratyaksha Devata) — one that can be directly seen and worshipped. Through the Sun, devotees seek blessings for vitality, longevity, and purity of soul.

2. Connection with Draupadi and the Pandavas (Mahabharata)

According to one legend from the Mahabharata, Draupadi and the Pandavas performed Chhath Puja to overcome difficulties and regain their lost kingdom. It is said that Draupadi was a great devotee of Surya Dev, and by observing the rituals with utmost devotion, the Pandavas were blessed with power, prosperity, and success.

3. Legend of King Priyavrat and His Wife (Oldest Story)

In ancient times, King Priyavrat and his wife were childless and deeply saddened. On the advice of a sage, they performed a yajna (ritual fire ceremony) seeking blessings for a child. Their wish was granted — they had a son, but the baby was born lifeless.

The King was heartbroken and prayed to the Sun God for help. Moved by his devotion, Maa Shashthi (also known as Usha or Chhathi Maiya) appeared and revived the child. Since then, Chhathi Maiya has been worshipped as the Goddess of fertility, offspring, and well-being of children.

This is why Chhath Puja is also believed to honor Chhathi Maiya, the divine consort of Surya Dev.

4. Lord Rama and Sita’s Connection

According to the Ramayana, after returning to Ayodhya from exile and defeating Ravana, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed a fast and offered arghya (offerings) to the Sun God in the month of Kartika (on Shashthi day).It is said that this ritual later evolved into Chhath Puja.

5. Spiritual Symbolism

The festival teaches discipline, self-control, and purity — both physical and mental.
It signifies gratitude toward nature and the cosmic energy that sustains life.
Fasting and offering water to the Sun symbolize harmony between human beings and the environment.

🕉️ Deities Worshipped

Surya Dev — The Sun God (giver of life, energy, and health)
Usha — Goddess of dawn (symbolizing new beginnings)
Chhathi Maiya — Goddess of fertility and protector of children

The symbolism behind Chhath Puja rituals reveals how deeply spiritual and scientific this festival really is.Here’s the meaning behind each major ritual and its connection to nature, energy, and the soul 👇

🌄 1. Offering Arghya to the Setting and Rising Sun

Setting Sun (Sandhya Arghya)

Symbolism:Offering water to the setting sun represents gratitude — thanking Surya Dev for sustaining life throughout the day. It also teaches humility: even as the Sun “sets,” it remains constant — symbolizing acceptance of decline, endings, and the cyclic nature of life.
Spiritual Meaning:It’s a reminder that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning. Devotees reflect on their day, their actions, and seek forgiveness for mistakes.
Scientific Aspect: At sunset, the Sun’s rays are softer and less harmful. Standing in water and offering arghya helps the body absorb beneficial solar energy, improving vitality and balancing the solar plexus (Manipura Chakra).

Rising Sun (Usha Arghya)

Symbolism: Offering water to the rising sun symbolizes hope, renewal, and positivity. The morning rays represent new life, wisdom, and spiritual awakening.
Spiritual Meaning: Just as the dawn brings light after darkness, devotees pray for clarity, strength, and enlightenment in their lives. It’s also an act of welcoming divine energy into one’s body and mind.
Scientific Aspect: Morning sunlight is rich in Vitamin D and vital energy.Standing in water at sunrise stimulates blood circulation and purifies the body. The rhythmic act of offering water improves focus and mindfulness.

🪔 2. Fasting (Vrata) and Purity

Symbolism:Fasting during Chhath Puja is not just about abstaining from food — it represents cleansing of body and mind, control over desires, and strengthening of willpower.
Spiritual Meaning: Devotees abstain from negative thoughts and actions. The fast purifies karma and connects the devotee with cosmic energy through discipline (tapasya).
Scientific Aspect: The long fasts, performed while standing in water and focusing on the Sun, help in detoxification and mental focus.

🍲 3. Nahay Khay (First Day) – Purification

Devotees bathe in holy rivers and eat a single, simple meal of kaddu-bhaat (pumpkin and rice) cooked in bronze utensils.
Symbolism: Purity of body and soul — cleansing before entering a sacred vow.
Spiritual Lesson: You can’t reach divine consciousness without inner and outer purity.

🌾 4. Kharna (Second Day) – Self-Control and Sharing

A strict fast ends at sunset with kheer (rice pudding) made without salt or spices, offered to the Sun and shared with family.
Symbolism: Control of senses, simplicity, and gratitude for food.
Spiritual Lesson: Sharing food strengthens community bonds and humility.

🕊️ 5. Standing in Water

Symbolism: The river represents life and purity, while standing still in it symbolizes stability amid constant flow — staying spiritually centered in a changing world.
Spiritual Meaning: Water reflects the Sun, symbolizing the union of human and divine energy.
Scientific Aspect: The act calms the nervous system and synchronizes breathing with natural rhythms.

🌙 6. Worship of Chhathi Maiya (Usha or Shashthi Devi)

Symbolism: She represents fertility, nurturing energy, and protection — the maternal aspect of nature.
Spiritual Meaning: Devotees thank her for the gift of life and pray for the well-being of children.

🌞 In Essence

Chhath Puja is a harmonious blend of spirituality, nature worship, and cosmic balance.Every gesture — fasting, standing in water, or offering arghya — aligns the devotee with the rhythms of the Sun, water, earth, and self.

Chhath Puja reveals its deepest spiritual dimension. Every ritual in Chhath isn’t just symbolic; it’s also a form of yogic practice that aligns the devotee’s chakras (energy centers) with the solar and cosmic energies.

Let’s explore how each part of the puja connects to the seven chakras and the inner awakening it promotes 👇

🕉️ 1. Nahay Khay (Purification) → Root & Sacral Chakras

🩸 Muladhara (Root Chakra) — at the base of the spine

Meaning: Stability, grounding, connection to Earth.
Ritual Connection: Bathing in the river and consuming pure, simple food (kaddu-bhaat) purifies and stabilizes the body’s foundation.
Spiritual Effect: Grounds the devotee, releasing fear and insecurity before the fasting begins.

💧 Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra) — just below the navel

Meaning: Emotional balance, purity, and flow.
Ritual Connection: Clean water, simple diet, and abstaining from indulgence cleanse emotional energies.
Spiritual Effect: Prepares the mind for devotion and self-control.

🔥 2. Kharna (Self-control and sharing) → Solar Plexus Chakra

🌞 Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra) — at the navel

Meaning: Power, will, transformation, digestion (both physical and emotional).
Ritual Connection: Fasting for the entire day and breaking it after sunset helps regulate digestive fire (agni), purifying the Manipura Chakra.
Spiritual Effect: Builds inner strength, discipline, and control over desires.
Sun Connection: The Sun governs this chakra — fasting and offering arghya directly energize and balance it.

🌄 3. Sandhya Arghya (Offering to Setting Sun) → Heart & Throat Chakras

💚 Anahata (Heart Chakra) — center of the chest

Meaning: Love, gratitude, compassion.
Ritual Connection: Offering water to the setting Sun expresses gratitude — opening the heart to humility and divine connection.
Spiritual Effect: Removes emotional heaviness, encourages forgiveness, and balances emotions.

💙 Vishuddha (Throat Chakra) — throat region

Meaning: Purity, expression, truth.
Ritual Connection: Devotees chant mantras and Chhath geet (devotional songs) during the arghya.
Spiritual Effect: The vibrations of mantra purify speech and enhance the ability to speak truth and devotion.

🌅 4. Usha Arghya (Offering to Rising Sun) → Third Eye & Crown Chakras

💜 Ajna (Third Eye Chakra) — between the eyebrows

Meaning: Intuition, clarity, awareness.
Ritual Connection: Facing the rising Sun with closed eyes and offering water aligns inner vision with cosmic light.
Spiritual Effect: Sharpens perception and brings inner illumination. The devotee experiences darshan (divine vision) of the Sun within.

🤍 Sahasrara (Crown Chakra) — top of the head

Meaning: Union with divine consciousness.
Ritual Connection: At the end of the puja, the devotee breaks the fast (paran) and prays silently — merging the self with the infinite energy of the universe.
Spiritual Effect: Symbolizes moksha — liberation, bliss, and unity with the divine.

💦 5. Standing in Water → Balancing All Chakras

Symbolism: The water body acts as a conductor between the Earth’s grounding energy and the Sun’s cosmic energy.
Physical Effect: Immersing in cool water calms the nervous system, aligning the body’s bioelectric field.
Spiritual Effect: The posture (standing in water, facing the Sun) is similar to Surya Trataka — a meditative practice that harmonizes all chakras simultaneously.

🌞 In Summary

Ritual	Chakra Activated	Energy Aspect	Spiritual Effect
Nahay Khay	Root & Sacral	Purity, grounding	Stability & cleansing
Kharna	Solar Plexus	Discipline, willpower	Strength & focus
Sandhya Arghya	Heart & Throat	Gratitude, devotion	Love & purity
Usha Arghya	Third Eye & Crown	Awareness, liberation	Enlightenment
Standing in Water	All Chakras	Energy balance	Harmony & unity

So, Chhath Puja is not only a festival — it’s a living yogic practice. Every action — fasting, singing, standing in water, gazing at the Sun — cleanses and awakens the subtle energy body, leading the devotee from earthly existence to divine realization.

Chhath Puja is more than just a festival — it is a profound expression of devotion, discipline, and gratitude. Rooted in ancient Vedic traditions, it celebrates the eternal bond between human beings and nature, particularly the Sun (Surya Dev), the visible source of life and energy on Earth.

Through its rituals — fasting, purity, self-control, and offering arghya to the rising and setting Sun — Chhath Puja symbolizes balance, renewal, and harmony. Devotees not only thank the divine for light and sustenance but also purify their own minds and bodies, aligning themselves with cosmic rhythms.

Spiritually, the festival awakens inner energy centers (chakras), teaching the values of patience, simplicity, and selflessness. Culturally, it strengthens family bonds and community unity, as people come together on riverbanks in prayer and song. Environmentally, it is a model of eco-conscious worship, with no idol use or pollution — only natural offerings and pure devotion.

✨ In Essence

Chhath Puja reminds humanity that:

The Sun is not just a celestial body, but a divine source of consciousness and life.
True worship lies in gratitude, purity, and balance — both within oneself and with nature.
When body, mind, and soul are in harmony, we reflect the same radiance that shines in the Sun itself.