Chhath Puja 2025: The Sun is the giver of life on Earth. The Rig Veda states that worshipping a form of the Sun bestows life, health, children, and prosperity. The Chhath festival is also mentioned in the Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Various stories exist regarding its origin. It is believed that before temples existed, humans worshipped the Sun by offering water to it, praying to nature for happiness, prosperity, and health. The Ramayana mentions Mother Sita performing Chhath, while the Mahabharata tells of Karna, the son of Surya, offering water to the Sun every morning and evening. This is where the tradition of offering arghya to the Sun developed. The difficulty of the Chhath festival and its simplicity connect it with the common people. This festival reflects our connection with nature. The way devotees stand in water and worship the Sun in the morning and evening is considered very beneficial from a scientific perspective, and it benefits the devotee.
Chhath Puja 2025: The Chhath Mahaparva is scheduled to begin on October 25th. This four-day festival may have originated in Bihar, but today it has become a global festival. It is a difficult yet simple fast, in which people have immense faith. A fast in which God is worshipped with purity and devotion of mind, without the need for a priest or mantra. The simplicity of the Chhath festival has connected it with people's hearts and has earned it the status of a Mahaparva. Let's find out what the Chhath Mahaparva is.
What is the Chhath Mahaparva?
The Chhath Mahaparva lasts four days and involves participation of the entire family, not just the fasting person. It is a festival of togetherness, where people readily agree to cooperate. During the Chhath Mahaparva, Lord Surya is worshipped, and prayers are offered for happiness, prosperity, and health for the entire family and children. Chhath Mahaparva is celebrated on Shashthi Tithi. Therefore, the sixth form of the Goddess, worshipped for the protection of children, is also worshipped as Chhathi Maiya. This same Goddess Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped on the sixth day after the birth of a child. In Bengal, this very form of the Goddess is worshipped on Shashthi Tithi during Durga Puja. Regarding this, Mr. Brahmanand (Abhijit Shastri) of Shivalaya Trust, Kolkata, explains that Shashthi Tithi is considered a blessing from the Mother Goddess for the protection of her children in Bengal, and she is worshipped. The Shashthi Tithi that falls during Durga Puja is called Durga Shashthi, and on this day, mothers pray to Goddess Durga for the protection and well-being of their children.
Is Chhath Mahaparva performed without a priest or pundit?
The most significant feature of Chhath Mahaparva is that it does not require a priest or pundit for this puja. The person observing the Chhath fast begins with complete purity and worships Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya. The person observing the fast can be anyone—male, female, married, unmarried, widower, or widow. The fast is quite simple; no complicated mantras are required. Simply surrender to the deity and pray to him, using your own words and pure feelings. The puja requires no rituals. Some lamps are lit, incense sticks are burned, and flowers are offered, if available. A tekua made of flour and jaggery, and any seasonal fruit, is offered to the deity. The devotee performs all this himself; there is no need for a priest. However, family and neighbors participate in this puja.
How does Chhath Mahaparva begin?
The Chhath festival begins on the Chaturthi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the month of Kartik. On this day, devotees observe Nahay Khay. Nahay Khay means eating after bathing, meaning preparation for the fast. On the day of Nahay Khay, devotees eat a purely satvik meal, consisting of rice cooked with Arwa rice, pumpkin curry, and gram dal. Some local dishes, such as Bachka (fried rice), are also included. Garlic and onion are not used in the meal, and the food is prepared in a very simple manner. This day is considered the beginning of the fast. Devotees give up sleeping on a bed and sleep on a mat or sheet on the ground, while worshipping God.
What is Kharna, and what is its significance?
Kharna is considered the second day of Chhath Mahaparva. On this day, devotees observe a waterless fast from dawn to sunset. They purify their body and mind and prepare themselves for the rigorous fast on the third day. After sunset on Kharna, the devotee offers kheer made from jaggery and roti or puri to God and consumes it after the puja. After the devotee has eaten, the Kharna Mahaprasad is distributed. Those who have faith in Chhath Puja ask for and eat the Kharna Prasad and participate in the puja.
Why is Arghya offered to the setting sun?
Chhath Mahaparva is the only festival in which Arghya is offered to the setting sun. Offering Arghya means respectfully worshipping it. To offer Arghya, the devotee stands in water for hours. They worship the Sun, the visible god of nature, and offer him Prasad in soup. Water is offered to him. Worshipping the setting sun also signifies that life has its ups and downs, but the setting sun will rise again the next day with renewed hope and expectation. On this day, devotees observe a complete waterless fast and worship God with complete devotion and dedication. Devotees must make arrangements at a pond, river, or home to stand in the water, still wet, after bathing and praying to the Sun God at sunset.
The festival concludes with the worship of the rising Sun on the fourth day.
On the fourth day, devotees wake up in the morning, bathe, and stand in the water before sunset, awaiting sunrise. While standing in the water, their hearts pray to God, asking Him to shower His blessings on their children and family. When the sun rises, they offer water and worship the Lord. This concludes the Chhath festival and the fast. Only after offering water at sunrise do devotees break their fast and consume water or something else.
FAQs
Chhath Mahaparva lasts for four days. How many days does Chhath Mahaparva last?
begins with Nahai-Khaay and concludes with the worship of the rising sun.
Which deity is worshipped during Chhath?
The Sun God is worshipped during Chhath.
When will the Chhath festival be celebrated in 2025?
In 2025, the Chhath festival will be celebrated between October 25 and 28.
Are seasonal fruits and vegetables offered as Prasad during Chhath?
Yes, seasonal fruits and vegetables are offered as Prasad during Chhath.
Do songs have great importance during Chhath?
Yes, songs have great importance during the Chhath festival. Priests and mantras are not used in the puja, so devotees resort to songs to demonstrate their devotion and faith.