The third day, known as Sandhya Arghya, marks the most significant phase of the festival. As the sun begins to set, millions of devotees offer their prayers, symbolizing humility and reverence for nature’s cycle of life and renewal.
This year, the auspicious Sandhya Arghya will be observed on October 27, 2025. According to the Hindu Panchang, the shubh muhurat is from 5:15 PM to 5:45 PM the sacred period when devotees gather to offer prayers to the setting sun. Performing rituals during this time is believed to bring good health, happiness, and prosperity to one’s family.
Rituals and Offerings During Sandhya Arghya
As dusk approaches, devotees dressed in traditional attire walk towards rivers, ponds, or ghats carrying soops (bamboo baskets) filled with sacred items like fruits, sugarcane, rice, and thekua — the iconic Chhath delicacy. Standing knee-deep in water, they offer Arghya a mixture of milk, water, and flowers to Lord Surya while singing folk hymns and devotional songs.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Evening Offering
Unlike most Hindu rituals that focus on the rising sun, Chhath Puja uniquely honors both sunrise and sunset, symbolizing balance and gratitude. The evening Arghya reflects thankfulness and surrender a belief that every ending carries within it the seed of a new beginning.
As the sun sets on the western horizon, devotees release negativity, ego, and suffering. The serene twilight becomes a moment of self-purification where silence, chants, and faith unite in divine harmony.
Message of Faith and Renewal
The spiritual message of Sandhya Arghya transcends religion. It reminds humanity of the eternal rhythm of nature and the importance of balance in life. By bowing before the setting sun, devotees symbolically embrace the values of patience, humility, and hope qualities that define the essence of life itself.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders extended their greetings to the nation, they emphasized the significance of Chhath Puja in promoting environmental consciousness and family well-being.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja 2025 continues to inspire faith across India and beyond. The rituals of Sandhya Arghya remind us to appreciate every sunset not as an end but as a beautiful pause before a brighter dawn. Through devotion, discipline, and gratitude, the festival binds communities together in a shared spirit of hope and harmony.