Chhath Puja 2024 begins today, marking a journey of devotion to the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. This four-day festival opens with the Nahay Khay ritual, emphasizing purity and spiritual cleansing.
The festival starts on November 5, 2024, with the Nahay Khay ritual, observed across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. Devotees believe that honoring the Sun God brings health, prosperity, and happiness.
Day 1: Nahay Khay – November 5
On this first day, devotees purify themselves by bathing in rivers or water bodies. A simple vegetarian meal of rice, pumpkin curry (kaddu bhat), and lentils (dal) is prepared, marking the beginning of a period of purity and abstinence.
Day 2: Kharna – November 6
Kharna involves a day-long fast without water, symbolizing self-purification and detachment. In the evening, devotees break the fast with a sacred meal of kheer (sweet rice pudding with jaggery), chapati, and bananas, offered first as prasad to Chhathi Maiya.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – November 7
The third day, Sandhya Arghya, is the most significant ritual of Chhath Puja. Devotees fast all day and gather at water bodies by sunset to offer arghya (prayers) to the setting sun, surrounded by songs dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Offerings include seasonal fruits, sugarcane, and thekua (a wheat and jaggery sweet) in bamboo baskets.
Day 4: Bihaniya Arghya – November 8
The final day, Bihaniya Arghya, begins early with prayers to the rising sun, symbolizing gratitude, hope, and renewal. After offering arghya, devotees break their fast, sharing prasad with family and friends to conclude the festival.
Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of India’s oldest festivals, deeply connected to nature. Each ritual symbolizes gratitude and reinforces the bond between humanity and the natural world, honoring the Sun God, who sustains life on Earth.
