Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and most spiritually disciplined Hindu festivals, celebrated with unmatched devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal’s Terai region. Known as Surya Shashti Vrata, it honors Surya Dev (the Sun God) and his sister Chhathi Maiya (Mata Shashthi), who is believed to protect children and grant family prosperity.
This festival stands out for its unique worship of both the setting and rising sun, symbolizing gratitude for life and nature’s blessings. Devotees undertake a series of rituals involving purity, fasting, and self-restraint, including a grueling 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without water).
In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from Saturday, October 25, to Tuesday, October 28. The festival spans four days: Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya.
Chhath Puja 2025 Date
Each day of Chhath Puja carries unique significance and follows specific Vedic rituals.
| Day | Date (2025) | Ritual/Event | Description |
| Day 1 | Saturday, October 25 | Nahay Khay | Ritual bath in rivers/ponds followed by the first satvik meal of the festival. |
| Day 2 | Sunday, October 26 | Kharna / Lohanda | Devotees observe a nirjala vrat until evening, then consume rasiaav (jaggery kheer) and fruits before beginning a 36-hour fast. |
| Day 3 | Monday, October 27 | Sandhya Arghya | Evening arghya (water offering) to the setting sun, performed while standing in rivers or ponds. |
| Day 4 | Tuesday, October 28 | Usha Arghya / Paran | Morning Arghya to the rising sun, after which devotees break their fast with prasad. |
Chhath Puja 2025 Holiday
Chhath Puja is a regional public and bank holiday in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. In Delhi and Mumbai, where migrant populations celebrate the festival in large numbers, community holidays and public events are also common. In Nepal, the final two days (Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya) are declared public holidays.
| Event | Date (2025) | Region Context | Holiday Status |
| Sandhya Arghya | Monday, October 27 | Bihar, Jharkhand, UP | Regional public holiday |
| Usha Arghya | Tuesday, October 28 | Bihar, Jharkhand, UP | Public & bank holiday |
History of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is deeply rooted in mythology, Vedic rituals, and folklore.
Ramayana Connection
After Lord Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya following their exile, they observed Chhath Puja on Kartik Shukla Shashti. Sita is also believed to have performed the rituals on the banks of the Gandaki River in Nepal.
Mahabharata Connection
Kunti observed Chhath Puja after escaping Lakshagriha, and Draupadi performed it for the Pandavas’ victory in the Kurukshetra war. It is also connected to Karna, son of Surya Dev, who is believed to have worshipped the Sun with these rituals.
Vedic & Puranic Legends
- The Brahma Vaivarta Purana mentions the worship of Chhathi Maiya during the festival.
- The legend of King Priyavrata, who received Chhathi Maiya’s blessings to revive his lifeless son, further explains her role as a protector of children.
- Some traditions associate the festival with the birth anniversary of Surya Dev (Aditya) in the Buxar region.
Suggested Read: List of Hindu Festivals in India
Significance of Chhath Puja 2025
Chhath Puja blends nature worship, Vedic rituals, and spiritual discipline:
- Gratitude to Surya Dev: Worshipping the Sun as the visible source of life, light, and healing.
- Blessings of Chhathi Maiya: She is invoked for children’s health, protection, and family well-being.
- Spiritual Discipline: The festival demands purity, abstinence, and devotion, aligning body and mind with cosmic energy.
- Eco-Friendly Observance: Unlike many festivals, Chhath involves no idols, no chemicals, and no firecrackers, only natural offerings like fruits, sugarcane, and thekua.
How is Chhath Puja 2025 Celebrated
The festival unfolds over four days of rituals, each symbolizing devotion and purity.
Chhath Puja Day 1: Nahay Khay (Oct 25, 2025)
- Devotees take a holy bath in rivers or ponds.
- A satvik meal of rice, bottle gourd curry, and lentils is prepared, marking the beginning of the fast.
Chhath Puja Day 2: Kharna (Oct 26, 2025)
- Devotees observe a day-long fast without water.
- In the evening, they prepare rasiaav (jaggery kheer), roti, and fruits as prasad.
- After eating, they begin the 36-hour nirjala fast.
Chhath Puja Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Oct 27, 2025)
- Families gather at ghats with offerings carried in bamboo baskets (soop).
- Offerings include thekua, coconuts, bananas, sugarcanes, and seasonal fruits.
- Devotees stand in water to offer arghya to the setting sun, one of the most spectacular rituals of the festival.
Chhath Puja Day 4: Usha Arghya (Oct 28, 2025)
- At dawn, devotees return to water bodies to offer arghya to the rising sun.
- This marks the conclusion of the festival, after which the fast is broken (paran) with prasad.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja 2025, to be celebrated from October 25 to October 28, is a festival of gratitude, endurance, and devotion. Rooted in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Vedic traditions, it is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, symbolizing prosperity, purification, and protection. With its eco-friendly rituals, strict fasting, and community gatherings, Chhath Puja continues to inspire millions across India, Nepal, and the global diaspora.
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