Chhath Puja 2025 is a deeply spiritual and culturally rich festival celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. Falling after Diwali, this four-day ritual honors the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya for sustaining life on Earth and granting wishes. Devotees observe rigorous fasts, take holy dips in rivers, and offer arghya during sunrise and sunset. The rituals reflect purity, devotion, and gratitude. In 2025, Chhath Puja brings families and communities together at riverbanks, lit with lamps and devotion. It's not just a festival—it's a heartfelt connection to nature, tradition, and faith passed through generations.
Chhath Puja Information
| Aspect | Details |
| Festival Name | Chhat Puja (also known as Chhath, Chhathi Maiya Puja, Dala Chhat) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Main Deities Worshipped | Lord Surya (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess of Health and Fertility) |
| Celebrated In | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nepal, and Indian diaspora |
| Dates (Tentative) | November 17 – November 20, 2025 (subject to lunar calendar) |
| Duration | 4 Days |
| Main Rituals | Fasting, offering Arghya to Sun at sunrise & sunset, riverbank worship |
| Days & Their Significance | 1. Nahay Khay – Ritual bathing & food purification 2. Kharna – Day-long fast & sweet dish offering 3. Sandhya Arghya – Evening offering to the setting Sun 4. Usha Arghya – Morning offering to the rising Sun |
| Offerings (Prasad) | Thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut, rice-based sweets, turmeric root |
| Eco-Cultural Significance | Promotes river cleanliness, nature worship, community bonding |
| Social Impact | Strengthens cultural identity, promotes equality, boosts local economy |
| Unique Features | 36-hour waterless fast, women-led rituals, nature-centered worship |
Cultural Core of the East
As the golden hues of the setting sun dance across the Ganges in November 2025, a divine energy pulses through the towns and villages of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and parts of Nepal. It is that sacred time of year once again: Chhat Puja 2025. A festival not merely observed but experienced in its entirety—with devotion, discipline, and unbreakable community bonds. This ancient Vedic festival, dedicated to Lord Surya and his sister Shashti Devi (Chhathi Maiya), stands as a vibrant testament to the state’s cultural heritage and collective spirit. As much as it is a religious observance, it is also a deep expression of cultural identity, ecological awareness, and gender participation.
Mythology Meets Modern Times
Chhat Puja's origin lies steeped in mythology and sacred folklore. It is believed that Karna, the valiant son of the Sun God in the Mahabharata, was among the first to worship Surya standing in water. Over centuries, this practice evolved into a formalized tradition where devotees, mainly women known as 'Vratis', fast and offer prayers at sunrise and sunset to seek blessings for the well-being of their families.
The festival beautifully blends faith with nature, making use of organic offerings like sugarcane, thekua (a traditional sweet), coconuts, and seasonal fruits. Rituals are performed on the banks of rivers and ponds, reflecting a deep ecological consciousness. In an era of climate change, Chhat Puja resonates as a ritualistic homage to the forces of nature.
Fasting and Faith: A Path to Enlightenment
Chhat Puja unfolds over four spiritually significant days
- Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat): The first day marks the purification of the body and surroundings. Devotees take a dip in the river and prepare simple, sattvic meals.
- Lohanda and Kharna: On the second day, the fast begins with a single meal in the evening after offering kheer made of jaggery and rice. A complete 36-hour fast with no water (nirjala vrat) follows.
- Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering): On the third day, devotees gather at the riverbanks to offer 'arghya' (offerings) to the setting sun. The sight of families dressed in traditional attire with baskets of offerings creates a surreal spiritual ambiance.
- Usha Arghya (Morning Offering): On the final day, devotees again offer prayers to the rising sun, completing their fast with reverence and joy. The energy at sunrise is not just religious but vibrantly communal.
Reviving Heritage, Boosting Economy
Beyond its spiritual depth, Chhat Puja 2025 also serves as a catalyst for economic activity and cultural tourism. Local artisans, street vendors, and small businesses thrive during this time. The demand for eco-friendly items like bamboo baskets, clay lamps, and handwoven garments boosts the local economy significantly.
Moreover, Chhat Puja acts as a cultural ambassador. Its celebration across Indian states and even in international Indian communities reflects the rich cultural diversity of India. From Delhi’s Yamuna banks to the Hudson River in New York, the spirit of Chhat Puja travels with its people, bridging distances and creating cultural continuity.
The Power of Collective Rituals
One of the most profound aspects of Chhat Puja is its collective experience. Unlike many other festivals, Chhat is not about personal gratification but shared devotion. Families, neighbors, and even strangers come together to clean riverbanks, build makeshift ghats, and ensure the safety and comfort of the Vratis. This unity fosters a strong community identity and emotional connection.
Chhat Puja transcends class and caste lines. It is not defined by opulence but by purity, humility, and intention. The uniformity in the rituals performed by millions is a powerful visual and emotional symbol of social equality and human resilience.
Timeless Chhat Puja: A Modern Outlook
In a fast-paced digital age, Chhat Puja 2025 reminds us of the timelessness of tradition. It teaches discipline in an age of instant gratification, spiritual reflection in times of material obsession, and ecological balance amid environmental degradation.
As more people return to their roots or discover their heritage anew, the relevance of Chhat Puja continues to grow. Its ability to preserve cultural values while adapting to modern settings is what makes it not just a religious event, but a living tradition.
In conclusion, Chhat Puja 2025 is not just a festival; it is an emotion, a rhythm, and a legacy. It symbolizes everything from cultural identity to economic upliftment, from spiritual purity to environmental harmony. It is India’s quiet yet powerful ode to the Sun, to water, to women, and to life itself. As we approach this sacred time, may the rays of the rising and setting sun illuminate not only our rivers but our collective consciousness.