Chhath Puja is a deeply revered Hindu festival, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. It honors the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (a goddess linked to dawn).
In Chhath Puja 2025, devotees will observe four sacred days filled with ritual, devotion, fasting, and gratitude. In this article, you’ll find the dates, rituals, significance, and tips on how to celebrate in a meaningful way.
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Chhath Puja 2025: Dates & Timings
Here are the key dates for Chhath Puja 2025:
| Day | Name of Ritual | Date (2025) | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nahay Khay | Saturday, 25th October 2025 | Bathing in holy water + eating the first satvik meal. |
| Day 2 | Kharna / Lohanda | Sunday, 26th October 2025 | Day-long fast, then in the evening break fast with kheer & fruits |
| Day 3 | Sandhya Arghya (Evening offering) | Monday, 27th October 2025 | Offerings made to the setting sun at riverbanks or ponds. |
| Day 4 | Usha Arghya (Morning offering) / Parana | Tuesday, 28th October 2025 | Offerings to the rising sun and breaking of the fast. |
Special Attention:
Timing of sunrise, sunset, and “tithi” (lunar day) matters. The Shashthi Tithi begins early morning on 27th October and ends early morning on 28th October.
Chhath Puja Significance & Spiritual Meaning
1. Gratitude to Surya (Sun God)
The Sun is life-giver and energy source. By offering arghya (water) at dawn and dusk, devotees thank the Sun for sustaining life.
2. Honoring Chhathi Maiya
Chhathi Maiya, often considered the divine feminine counterpart of Surya, is worshipped for the protection, fertility, and well-being of children and families.
3. Purity, Discipline & Self Control
The fasts (especially the 36-hour fast on Day (3 – 4) demand discipline, inner strength, and purity of mind and body.
4. Community & Unity
Many rituals are done at riverbanks or community ponds. Neighbours help each other prepare offerings, clean spaces, and share the experience.
5. Eco-friendly & Nature Friendly
The emphasis is on clean water, natural offerings, and minimizing waste. The festival encourages environmental consciousness.
6. Cultural & Historical Roots
References to sun worship go back to the Vedas. In epics and folk stories, figures like Karna (in the Mahabharata) and the Pandavas are believed to have observed Chhath.
Rituals & How to Celebrate (Step by Step)
Here is a more detailed view of each day and what a devotee typically does:
Day 1: Nahay Khay
- Rise early and bathe in a river, pond or clean water body.
- Clean your house and surroundings thoroughly.
- Prepare a satvik (pure vegetarian) meal – often rice, lentils, pumpkin – cooked in copper or bronze utensils.
- Eat the meal and begin the fast.
Day 2: Kharna / Lohanda
- Observers fast without water (nirjala) during the daytime.
- In the evening, prepare kheer (sweet rice pudding with jaggery or sugar), chapatis, fruits, and offer to Chhathi Maiya.
- After the ritual, devotees eat and then continue with 36-hour fast (no food, no water) until Day 4’s Usha Arghya.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya
- Before sunset, devotees, with family and friends, gather at the riverbank or pond.
- They carry soop (a bamboo tray) filled with offerings: fruits, sugarcane, thekua (sweet deep-fried wheat cake), etc.
- Sing Chhath songs / folk hymns, recite Vrat Katha (stories), and offer arghya to the setting sun.
- The night is often spent on riverbanks, sleeping on the floor, silently and with devotion.
Day 4: Usha Arghya & Parana
- Before sunrise, devotees return to the water’s edge.
- Offer arghya to the rising sun with prayers for health, prosperity, and peace.
- After the ritual, break the fast (Parana) using ginger, jaggery, fruits, etc.
- Share prasad with family and community.
Pro Tips & Suggestions for Celebration
1. Plan early: Since many people go to riverbanks, crowd and space can be limited. Arrive early.
2. Use clean, natural materials: Prefer clay / biodegradable containers, avoid plastic.
3. Maintain hygiene: Clean water bodies, avoid littering.
4. Support each other: Neighbours or community groups can share the load of preparing offerings.
5. Understand timings: Use local Panchang or trusted apps to confirm sunrise, sunset, and tithi times in your area.
6. Sing / Listen to Chhath Geet: These devotional songs enrich the mood and connect you to tradition.
7. Keep the heart pure: Beyond rituals, Chhath is about sincerity, devotion, and inner quietness.
Chhath Puja 2025 is more than a festival: it is a spiritual journey of devotion, sacrifice, connection with nature, and renewal of hope.
Observing its four days with sincerity brings blessings of health, peace, prosperity, and harmony. Whether you celebrate in your hometown or at the riverbank far away, let your actions be humble, pure, and heartfelt.
May the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya shower their divine grace on you and your family this Chhath Puja 2025.
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