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Chhath

Chhath Puja, also known as Chhath Parva, is an ancient and vibrant Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and his consort Usha (Chhathi Maiya), symbolizing gratitude for the sustenance of life on Earth.^[1] Primarily observed in the eastern Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as among the Madhesi community in Nepal, the festival spans four consecutive days during the lunar month of Kartik, typically falling six days after Diwali in late October or early November.^[1] It emphasizes environmental purity and communal harmony, with no idols or priests involved, making it one of the most egalitarian and eco-friendly Hindu observances.^[2] Devotees, especially married women known as vratin, undertake strict fasts without water for up to 36 hours and perform rituals at riverbanks or water bodies to seek blessings for family health, prosperity, longevity, and protection from ailments.^[1] The origins of Chhath Puja trace back to the Vedic period, with roots in ancient sun worship practices that highlight the sun's role in health and agriculture.^[3] According to legends from the Ramayana, the festival is linked to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, who observed similar fasts and rituals after their 14-year exile to propitiate the Sun God for their well-being and the birth of their sons, Luv and Kush.^[2] In the Mahabharata, Karna, the son of Surya and king of Anga (modern-day Bihar and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh), is said to have performed these rituals to gain strength and devotion, further embedding the practice in the region's folklore.^[4] Another ancient legend from the Puranas attributes the festival's practices to King Priyavrata, son of the first Manu, who, distressed by childlessness, was advised by sage Kashyapa to observe Chhath rituals, leading to blessings from Chhathi Maiya for progeny. Over time, Chhath has evolved from a localized Vedic rite into a symbol of Bihar's cultural identity, fostering inter-religious bonhomie as people from diverse backgrounds participate in its public celebrations.^[5] The rituals of Chhath Puja unfold over four days—Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya—emphasizing purity, devotion, and natural harmony through fasting, preparation of offerings like thekua, and arghya (libations) to the rising and setting sun at water bodies.^[1] These practices not only invoke divine favor for fertility, health, and prosperity but also promote scientific benefits like vitamin D absorption from early morning sun exposure and community bonding through shared feasts.^[6]

Significance

Religious Importance

Chhath Puja centers on the devotion to Surya, the Sun God, revered as the source of all life and energy, and Chhathi Maiya, the benevolent goddess embodying purity and protection, often identified with Usha, the Vedic dawn deity. Devotees believe that propitiating these deities through dedicated worship grants health, longevity, prosperity, and safeguards against malevolent forces, fostering physical and spiritual vitality for the family. This veneration underscores the festival's role in expressing gratitude for the sun's life-sustaining rays while seeking divine intervention for well-being.^[7]^[8]^[9] The spiritual practice of Chhath emphasizes rigorous fasting, or vrata, primarily observed by women to ensure the prosperity and safety of their loved ones, symbolizing self-sacrifice and unwavering commitment. Central to this devotion is the principle of shaucha, or ritual purity, attained through ceremonial bathing in sacred waters to cleanse impurities and a strict vegetarian regimen that purifies the body and mind, aligning the devotee with cosmic harmony. These acts of austerity reinforce the festival's ethos of humility and ethical living, drawing participants closer to divine benevolence.^[10]^[11]^[9] Rooted in ancient Vedic traditions, Chhath reflects solar worship extolled in the Rigveda, where hymns honor Surya as the maintainer of cosmic order and vitality, prescribing offerings like arghya for renewal and submission to divine will. As a cornerstone of folk Hinduism, it integrates these scriptural elements with indigenous practices, promoting an egalitarian and ecologically attuned spirituality accessible to all, irrespective of caste or status. During arghya rituals, devotees recite specific vows and mantras, such as the Surya Gayatri Mantra—"Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Mahadyutikaraya Dhimahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat"—to invoke blessings and affirm their pledges for familial harmony.^[7]^[12] Chhath Puja underscores the pivotal role of women as leaders in the observance, where they undertake rigorous fasting and rituals to ensure family prosperity and unity, often embodying matriarchal authority within predominantly patriarchal societies in Bihar and eastern India.^[13]^[14] Married women, widows, and even men participate as vratin (devotees), but women's central involvement highlights their spiritual agency and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations, fostering household cohesion.^[15] This leadership extends to marginalized communities, where women assert spiritual equality, challenging traditional hierarchies through devotion.^[16] The festival's communal gatherings at river ghats exemplify social harmony, drawing diverse groups to shared spaces for collective worship and reinforcing bonds across castes and classes.^[17] In Bihar, these events involve pre-festival cleaning of riverbanks and water bodies, promoting environmental stewardship alongside unity, as families and neighbors collaborate irrespective of social status.^[18] Such practices cultivate a sense of belonging, transforming ghats into vibrant hubs of interaction that bridge urban and rural divides.^[19] Deeply embedded in the regional identity of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath symbolizes resilience amid socio-economic challenges, serving as a secular celebration accessible to all castes and creeds without exclusionary barriers.^[15] It reflects the cultural pride of these areas, uniting migrants in diaspora communities and evoking a shared heritage of simplicity and austerity that transcends religious divides.^[20]^[21] In the 2020s, Chhath has increasingly addressed modern social issues like pollution, with campaigns urging eco-friendly practices such as using biodegradable bamboo baskets and clay lamps to minimize river contamination.^[22] Government initiatives in Bihar, including zero-waste setups at ghats by municipal corporations, alongside NGO pleas for green immersions, highlight efforts to sustain the festival's environmental harmony amid rising urban pressures.^[23]^[24] These measures underscore the festival's evolving role in promoting sustainable community living.^[25]

History and Origins

Historical Development

Chhath's historical roots lie in ancient solar worship practices of the Vedic period, with references in texts like the Rigveda highlighting the sun's role in health and agriculture.^[26] The festival is referenced in the ancient epic Mahabharata, where the character Karna, son of the Sun God Surya, is depicted as performing observances akin to Chhath to gain strength and prowess before battles.^[27] These early connections also link Chhath to broader Kartik-month festivals honoring solar deities in agrarian societies of eastern India.^[28] During the medieval period, Chhath spread across the Magadh region of Bihar through the influence of Bhakti movements, which emphasized devotional practices to deities like Surya, and under the patronage of local kingdoms that integrated folk solar traditions into regional culture.^[29] This expansion is documented in 16th- to 19th-century texts from Bihar, reflecting its evolution from tribal and agrarian rituals to a more structured community observance amid the socio-religious shifts of the era.^[30] In the colonial era, Chhath faced suppression alongside other indigenous festivals under British policies that marginalized local customs, yet it endured as a resilient expression of cultural identity among communities in Bihar and neighboring areas.^[31] Post-independence, the festival experienced a revival, gaining formal recognition as a major state event in Bihar from the 1980s onward, symbolizing regional pride and unity.^[32] In the 20th and 21st centuries, Chhath's observance has expanded significantly, with official holidays declared in Bihar, Jharkhand (since its formation in 2000), Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi starting in the mid-2000s and 2010s, reflecting its growing national footprint beyond eastern India.^[33] As of 2025, the Indian government is actively pursuing a multinational nomination of Chhath for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with consultations involving countries like the UAE, Suriname, and the Netherlands, highlighting its eco-friendly practices and cross-border observance in India and Nepal.^[34]

Associated Legends and Myths

According to legends from the Ramayana, Chhath Puja is linked to Lord Rama and Sita, who observed the fast and rituals after their 14-year exile upon returning to Ayodhya. Advised by sages to propitiate the Sun God for atonement after killing Ravana and to ensure their well-being, Sita's devotion is said to have led to the birth of their sons, Luv and Kush, emphasizing themes of gratitude, purification, and family prosperity.^[35] One prominent legend associating Chhath with the Mahabharata involves Draupadi, who, after the Pandavas' exile and hardships, was advised by the sage Dhaumya to perform Chhath Puja dedicated to Suryadev to regain strength, power, and protection for her husbands' victory in the impending war.^[36] This narrative underscores the festival's role in invoking solar energy for triumph over adversity and safeguarding devotees. Chhathi Mai, revered as the sixth manifestation of the goddess Prakriti and believed to be Surya's sister or an embodiment of Usha (the dawn), features in myths where she intervenes to save devotees from calamities, particularly those related to progeny and health. In one key tale from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, the childless Queen Malini encounters a divine figure in the form of Devasena (or Shashti), who reveals herself as the protector of children and instructs the queen to worship her alongside the sun god through Chhath rituals; upon observance, Malini conceives and delivers a healthy son, highlighting Chhathi Mai's benevolence in granting fertility and averting infertility-related sorrows.^[35] Another variant recounts how Chhathi Mai resurrects the deceased infant of King Priyavrat, restoring joy to the royal household and emphasizing her power to shield families from loss and misfortune.^[37] In Bihar's regional folktales, Chhath intertwines with stories of river goddesses, such as those portraying the Ganga or local deities as allies of Chhathi Mai in purifying waters and resolving natural disruptions; for instance, narratives describe rituals during solar eclipses where offerings to the sun and Chhathi Mai appease cosmic forces, preventing prolonged darkness and ensuring the river's life-sustaining flow for agrarian communities.^[38] These tales, rooted in oral traditions of the Gangetic plains, portray Chhath as a communal appeal to divine feminine energies for ecological harmony and protection against celestial anomalies. Symbolically, elements like the banana tree in Chhath offerings represent fertility and abundance, embodying Lord Vishnu's grace and the earth's regenerative potential, while the overall rituals symbolize the maintenance of cosmic balance through devotion to solar and maternal deities, aligning human life with natural cycles of renewal and protection.^[39]^[36]

Observance and Rituals

Preparation and Naivedya

The preparation for Chhath Puja commences with the nahaay ritual, a purifying bath taken by devotees in holy rivers, ponds, or clean water sources to cleanse the body and mind ahead of the fasting period. This initial immersion symbolizes spiritual renewal and is performed early in the morning, often by the entire family to foster collective purity. Where access to natural water bodies is limited, devotees may conduct the bath at home using fresh water, emphasizing simplicity and devotion. These efforts extend to environmental stewardship, particularly in post-2010s observances, where communities actively clean riverbanks and water bodies, restrict synthetic materials, and promote biodegradable alternatives to plastics, reinforcing Chhath's ethos of harmony with nature. Central to the preparatory phase is the making of naivedya, the sacred first meal that sets the tone for the festival's dietary observances. This meal is prepared strictly as sattvic vegetarian food, excluding onion, garlic, salt on certain preparatory elements, and any non-vegetarian items, to uphold ritual purity; common dishes include rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables cooked in earthen pots over wood fires to avoid modern contaminants. The cooking process is meticulous, ensuring no artificial additives or spices are used, as this naivedya nourishes the body while invoking divine blessings for the upcoming fasts. Family members play a vital role in these preliminaries, collectively cleaning homes thoroughly to create a sanctified environment free of impurities, and selecting essential puja items such as bamboo soops (winnowing baskets) for holding offerings and brass thaals (plates) for arranging them, blending tradition with practicality. In some regions, alternatives to traditional materials have gained popularity for durability while maintaining ceremonial aesthetics.

Nahay Khay (Day 1)

Nahay Khay, the first day of Chhath Puja, falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the bright half of the Kartik lunar month, typically observed in October or November.^[40] This day initiates the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God Surya and Chhathi Maiya, emphasizing purity and devotion.^[41] Devotees, particularly women known as vratis, begin the day before dawn with a holy bath in a nearby river, pond, or natural water body, such as the Ganga or Kosi.^[42] This ritual dip symbolizes physical and spiritual cleansing, washing away impurities to prepare the body and mind for the subsequent fasts and offerings.^[43] Participants often bring sacred water home from the bathing site, using it to maintain the sanctity of household preparations.^[42] On this day, devotees also take a sankalp, or vow, to observe the entire Chhath rituals with dedication and discipline.^[44] Following the bath, the vratis prepare and consume a simple sattvic meal known as khay, marking the last full meal before the rigors of fasting commence.^[45] The meal consists of rice, chana dal, bottle gourd (lauki), and seasonal greens, cooked solely in the holy water without onions, garlic, or any tamasic ingredients to uphold purity.^[42] This vegetarian repast is shared with family members after seeking their blessings, reinforcing communal bonds and setting a tone of abstinence.^[41] Starting from Nahay Khay, participants strictly avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and other intoxicants to cultivate self-discipline and spiritual focus throughout the festival.^[40]

Kharna (Day 2)

Kharna, the second day of Chhath Puja, is marked by a strict nirjala vrat, where devotees, particularly women, observe a full-day fast without food or water from sunrise until sunset to purify the body and mind.^[46]^[44] This fast emphasizes devotion and discipline, building spiritual resolve for the subsequent days of the festival.^[47] In the evening, after sunset, the fast is broken with a simple meal of gur kheer (jaggery-sweetened rice pudding) and roti or puri, known as rasiya or rasiaav-roti, which serves as prasad offered to Chhathi Mai.^[48]^[49] The evening puja is conducted at home, involving the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and the offering of this prasad to Chhathi Mai, accompanied by the singing of traditional lokgeet (folk songs) that invoke blessings for family well-being.^[50]^[51] Following the puja, devotees touch the feet of elders to seek blessings and distribute the prasad among family members and the community, fostering a sense of unity and reverence.^[52] This day is also regionally referred to as Lohanda in some areas of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, with minor variations in the exact timing of the evening rituals based on local customs, though the core practices remain consistent.^[48]^[53]

Sandhya Arghya (Day 3)

On the third day of Chhath Puja, known as Sandhya Arghya, devotees continue the nirjala fast initiated after the previous evening's Kharna, abstaining from both food and water as part of the overall 36-hour vrat, with participants focusing on spiritual reflection throughout the day as they prepare offerings.^[36] This period of discipline symbolizes purification and devotion to the Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Chhathi Maiya.^[54] As evening approaches, families proceed to nearby water bodies such as rivers, ponds, or ghats, where the fast reaches its climax with the sandhya arghya ritual—an offering of water and prasad to the setting sun.^[55] Devotees, primarily women but including men and family members, wade into shallow waters up to their waists, holding bamboo trays called soops filled with seasonal fruits like bananas and apples, thekua (wheat flour sweets fried in ghee and sweetened with jaggery), sugarcane sticks, and sometimes coconuts or vermilion-smeared items.^[54] These offerings are raised towards the western horizon in a gesture of gratitude and supplication, with the trays partially immersed in the water to symbolize the merging of earthly devotion with divine energy, performed precisely at sunset to honor the sun's life-sustaining rays.^[55] The atmosphere at the ghats transforms into a communal spectacle of faith, with groups of devotees singing folk Chhath geets—traditional devotional songs in regional languages like Bhojpuri or Maithili—that recount myths of gratitude to the sun and pleas for family prosperity and health.^[55] These melodies, passed down through generations, foster a sense of unity and cultural continuity among participants.^[56] After the arghya, the fast continues unbroken, and many families maintain all-night vigils either at the ghats or nearby, staying awake through prayer, storytelling from Chhath lore, and continued singing to prepare spiritually for the following dawn ritual.^[57] In contemporary observance, health experts recommend precautions for the demanding fast, such as adequate hydration in the lead-up days, avoiding exertion during peak heat, and consulting physicians for individuals with conditions like diabetes or hypertension to mitigate risks like dehydration or fatigue.^[58] These guidelines blend traditional rigor with modern awareness, ensuring safer participation while preserving the ritual's essence.^[59]

Usha Arghya (Day 4)

Usha Arghya marks the culmination of Chhath Puja on its fourth day, where devotees perform the final offering to the rising sun, known as Usha, at dawn. This ritual begins well before sunrise, with participants gathering at riverbanks, ponds, or other water bodies, standing in shallow water while facing east. They offer arghya—libations of water mixed with milk—along with fruits, sweets like thekua, sugarcane, and seasonal produce arranged in bamboo baskets called sohlri, accompanied by devotional songs and prayers to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya.^[60]^[40] The significance of Usha Arghya lies in its symbolism of renewal, gratitude for life's sustenance, and the triumph of light over darkness, completing the solar worship cycle that began with the previous day's sunset offerings. It represents spiritual purification and the promise of health, prosperity, and family well-being, as the first rays of the sun are believed to infuse healing energy. After the arghya, the vratins, who have observed a rigorous 36-hour nirjala fast, break it through the parana ritual by consuming prasad—typically the offered fruits and sweets—thus concluding their vows.^[8]^[60] Following the parana, the prasad is distributed among family members, neighbors, and the broader community, fostering a sense of shared devotion and unity. Devotees then return home for a simple family feast prepared from the remaining offerings, emphasizing sattvic foods. The festival ends with the cleaning of puja items, such as washing the sohlri baskets and discarding used leaves in water bodies, to maintain ritual purity. Post-festival customs often include abstaining from non-vegetarian food, onion, and garlic for several days to prolong the spiritual cleanse.^[40]^[60]^[61]

Traditional Foods and Offerings

Key Offerings to Deities

The primary offerings to the deities during Chhath Puja consist of thekua, a crispy sweet prepared from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, alongside fruits such as bananas and sugarcane stalks, and seasonal vegetables like water chestnuts and apples, all meticulously arranged on a soop, a traditional bamboo tray symbolizing purity and connection to nature.^[62]^[63]^[64] These items are offered to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya to express gratitude for sustenance and prosperity, with thekua embodying the sweetness and endurance of life, fruits representing fertility and abundance, and vegetables signifying the earth's nurturing bounty.^[65]^[66] The offerings are arranged in thaals (decorative plates) or directly on the soop for the arghya rituals, where vibrant colors from fresh produce and the deliberate placement of items hold deep spiritual significance, invoking divine blessings for health and harmony.^[63]^[67] Preparation emphasizes handmade authenticity, using rock salt instead of common salt and cooking on earthen stoves to maintain ritual sanctity and avoid any impurities that could disrupt the devotional intent.^[68] In the 2020s, eco-friendly practices have gained prominence, with devotees increasingly opting for seasonal, locally sourced produce in these offerings to reduce transportation-related waste and support sustainable agriculture, aligning the festival's ancient reverence for nature with contemporary environmental consciousness.^[69]^[25] Key taboos reinforce the offerings' purity, prohibiting the use of metal utensils like steel or silver during preparation and presentation—instead favoring clay or bamboo—and strictly banning store-bought items, as all prasad must be freshly made at home to honor the deities without external contamination.^[68]^[70] These practices, observed during the Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya on the third and fourth days, underscore the festival's emphasis on unadulterated devotion.^[71]

Regional Culinary Variations

Chhath Puja's culinary traditions exhibit distinct regional flavors, adapting core offerings like thekua and seasonal fruits to local ingredients and preferences. In Bihar and Jharkhand, thekua remains the emblematic sweet, crafted from whole wheat flour, jaggery, ghee, and spices like fennel and cardamom, then deep-fried into crisp, patterned discs symbolizing devotion.^[72] Sattu, roasted gram flour, features prominently in nutritious preparations such as sattu makhana peda or sattu sharbat, offering protein-rich refreshment for fasting observers and reflecting the region's agrarian emphasis on wholesome, satvik foods.^[73] In Uttar Pradesh, preparations lean toward sweeter, more indulgent variations, incorporating malpua—soft, pancake-like fritters made from a batter of flour, milk, and bananas, fried and immersed in jaggery or sugar syrup for a caramelized finish.^[74] Elaborate rice dishes, such as rasiyaw (a creamy pudding of rice cooked in milk and sweetened with jaggery), add textural depth and are often garnished with nuts, enhancing the festival's celebratory meals while maintaining purity through natural sweeteners.^[75] Sattu also appears here, sometimes as parathas or drinks, underscoring shared Bhojpuri influences across borders.^[76] Nepal's Terai region, with its cultural ties to Bihar, integrates local produce into Chhath offerings, emphasizing seasonal fruits like bananas, coconuts, and water chestnuts alongside rice laddus and thekua for arghya rituals.^[77] Sweets such as kasar—a quick-mix of rice flour, jaggery, ghee, and coconut—provide a lighter, fruit-infused alternative, while some communities opt for shorter fasts of one or two days to accommodate regional customs.^[78] Since the mid-2010s, health-conscious adaptations have emerged, particularly in urban areas, with low-sugar thekuas substituting refined sugar for jaggery or stevia and baking instead of deep-frying to reduce oil content while preserving nutritional benefits like iron from jaggery.^[79] These modern fusions, including oat-based or gluten-free versions, cater to diabetic and fitness-focused observers without compromising ritual sanctity.^[80]

Regional and Global Practices

Celebrations in India

Chhath Puja holds its strongest roots in Bihar, where it serves as the epicenter of nationwide celebrations, drawing millions to riverbanks for grand observances. In Patna, the state capital, massive events unfold along the Ganga River at numerous ghats, with lakhs of devotees gathering for rituals like arghya offerings during dawn and dusk. The Bihar government facilitates these festivities through extensive arrangements, including deployment of security forces across over 100 ghats, deployment of SDRF and NDRF teams, and infrastructure support such as temporary lighting and sanitation facilities to ensure smooth proceedings.^[81]^[82]^[83] In neighboring Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, celebrations mirror Bihar's scale at key river ghats but incorporate more urban elements, including community processions through city streets leading to ritual sites. Eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly Varanasi's Adalat Ghat on the Ganges, hosts vibrant assemblies with hymns and folk songs echoing in crowded urban settings, while Jharkhand's Jamshedpur features gatherings at the Suvarnarekha River confluence, blending traditional rites with modern amenities like solar-powered lighting at ghats. These regions emphasize collective devotion, with local administrations providing security and crowd management to handle the influx of participants from surrounding areas.^[84]^[19]^[85] The festival's reach has extended to other states like Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, driven by large migrant populations from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, who adapt rituals to urban constraints by constructing artificial ponds and makeshift ghats. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, communities set up temporary water bodies near temples and residential areas, enabling group rituals without access to natural rivers, while markets bustle with traditional offerings like thekua sweets. In 2025, the Delhi government created approximately 1,300 artificial ghats and cleaned sections of the Yamuna River, allowing rituals at 17 dedicated riverbank sites alongside artificial ponds to accommodate thousands of Purvanchali devotees.^[86]^[87]^[88] These adaptations highlight the festival's resilience amid migration and urbanization. Despite its popularity, Chhath Puja encounters challenges such as severe overcrowding at prime ghats, posing risks of stampedes and health hazards in densely populated areas like Patna and Ranchi. The COVID-19 pandemic in the early 2020s exacerbated these issues, prompting restrictions on mass gatherings and encouraging adaptations like home-based pujas and virtual live streams of rituals to maintain devotion while curbing transmission. In 2020 and 2021, authorities in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand enforced social distancing and limited ghat capacities, though many devotees initially flouted guidelines; by 2022, eased curbs allowed fuller participation, underscoring the festival's enduring communal spirit.^[89]^[90]^[91]

Observance Abroad

Chhath Puja is also observed in Nepal, particularly in the Madhesh (Terai) region among the Madhesi community, with celebrations mirroring those in Bihar. In 2025, devotees gathered at riverbanks such as the Koshi and local ponds for the four-day rituals, including strict fasts, thekua offerings, and arghya to the sun, emphasizing purity and family blessings in communal settings.^[92] Chhath Puja has been observed in Mauritius since the 1990s, where the festival blends with local Hindu traditions among the Indo-Mauritian community, which constitutes a significant portion of the island's population. Devotees often adapt rituals by using community halls and auditoriums to simulate ghats when access to natural water bodies is limited, hosting collective prayers and offerings during the four-day observance. In Fiji, celebrations similarly emerged in the 1990s among the Indo-Fijian population, integrating elements of other Hindu festivals while maintaining core rituals like arghya offerings, with events drawing families to beaches or community spaces for communal fasting and bhajans.^[93]^[94]^[95] In North America, Chhath Puja has grown substantially since the 2000s, with large-scale community events organized by associations like the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) in cities such as New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Participants obtain permits for public waterfronts, including the Hudson River, Potomac River, and Credit River in Canada, to perform sandhya and usha arghya, drawing hundreds of Indian-origin families for rituals amid the urban landscape. These gatherings emphasize cultural continuity, featuring traditional fasting, thekua preparation, and kosi arrangements, often amplified by live music and prasad distribution.^[96]^[97]^[98] Observances in Europe and Australia tend to be more intimate, focusing on home-based or park settings to preserve the festival's essence amid smaller diaspora populations. In the UK and other European countries, families assemble at local lakes, canals, or parks for offerings, adapting rituals to cooler climates while prioritizing devotion to Surya and Chhathi Maiya through private fasts and small group bhajans. Australian celebrations, particularly in Perth and Melbourne, blend park gatherings with community events that highlight cultural heritage, using artificial ghats in public spaces to foster intergenerational participation and identity.^[99]^[100]^[101] Diaspora communities face challenges in sourcing traditional ingredients like jaggery and whole-wheat flour for thekua, often relying on imported goods or home adaptations to replicate authentic naivedya. Harsh weather, such as early morning cold in North America and Europe during November, prompts shifts to indoor or sheltered venues, with devotees bundling up for arghya while maintaining ritual purity. Since the 2010s, online platforms including Facebook groups and diaspora forums have facilitated organization, recipe sharing, and virtual connections, enabling remote participation and strengthening community bonds across continents.^[102]^[103]^[95]

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The Feminist Legacy Hidden in Chhath Puja
Historically, women from marginalized communities have used Chhath to assert spiritual equality. In many parts of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Dalit women ...
[20]
The Sun Rises For Everyone: Chhath Puja and the Song of a People
Oct 26, 2025 · Chhath, in this way, is not just a ritual; it is a living experiment in social harmony, a celebration of collective belonging.
[21]
Chhath Puja 2025: Date, Timings, History & Significance
Oct 22, 2025 · Communities together clean ghats before the festival. Social Harmony - Chhath Puja brings families, neighbours, and entire villages together.
[22]
How Chhath Puja was celebrated across India and beyond borders
Oct 28, 2025 · In towns like Patna and other parts of Bihar and UP, massive crowds gather along ghats to participate. The visual scale is overwhelming, ...
[23]
Chhath: The four-day spring in Bihar's social desert | Hindustan Times
Oct 28, 2025 · What makes Chhath unique is the sublime aura it bestows on a normally looked down upon state like Bihar. I say this as someone from the state.
[24]
Faith, Fasting, and Politics: Bihar's Chhath Puja in an Age of Cynicism
Oct 30, 2025 · ... Chhath Puja festival, in Patna on October 27, 2025. The endurance of this reflects both spiritual resilience and the politics that exploit ...
[25]
Prioritize sustainability: Celebrate Clean, Green Festivals - PIB
Oct 17, 2023 · During the Chhath Puja, Patna Municipal Corporation organizes zero waste Chhath Puja at each of its Chhath Ghat. Separate dustbins are ...Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
[26]
Community calls for cleaner, greener Chhath celebrations | Kolkata ...
Oct 26, 2025 · Environmentalists have warned that pollution levels spiked significantly during the recent festivities, despite repeated pleas from NGOs and ...
[27]
How Chhath Puja 2024 can impact marine life and ways to protect it
Nov 8, 2024 · Chhath Puja can have a significant impact on the environment, particularly due to the practice of placing offerings into water bodies.
[28]
Chhath Puja: A harmonious blend of science, nature, and society
Nov 6, 2024 · Chhath Puja practices are inherently eco-conscious, with devotees using biodegradable materials like bamboo baskets, clay lamps, and locally ...
[29]
Tracing the Chhath Puja Story Through Indian History
This matriarchal aspect of the Chhath Puja history speaks to the important role of women as family caretakers and spiritual guides. The festival honours female ...
[30]
(DOC) Hindu Sun worship and the Physics of the sun - Academia.edu
In the Mahabharata, Karna is the son of Surya and unmarried princess Kunti. ... chhath puja. Deo Sun Temple Built in during the 8th century. In Tamil Nadu ...
[31]
Chhath Puja in Bihar - The Festival of Sun, Faith, and Purity
Oct 7, 2025 · Culturally, Chhath is a symbol of Bihar's identity and pride. It unites communities, families, and generations. Even those who live far away ...Missing: resilience | Show results with:resilience
[32]
[PDF] A Cultural Map of India
Jun 22, 2018 · This festival is called Chhath. Chhath Puja, a three- day ... in the 15th century CE during the Bhakti movement. By the 19th ...
[33]
https://m.economictimes.com/wealth/save/bank-holiday-today-for-chhath-puja-2025-banks-are-closed-for-2-days-in-these-states-check-now/articleshow/124761941.cms
[34]
The History of Chhath Puja in Nepal and India
Jan 12, 2025 · During the British colonial period (1858-1947), many traditional festivals faced suppression or modification. However, Chhath Puja remained ...
[35]
Chhath Puja - Bihar Tourism
Chhath Puja, also known as Surya Shashti, is a bathing festival followed by a four-day period of abstinence and ritual purity. Chhath Puja is a four-day long ...Missing: Chhathi | Show results with:Chhathi
[36]
Bank holiday today for Chhath Puja 2025 - The Economic Times
Oct 27, 2025 · Bank holiday today: Banks in some states will observe a two-day closure on October 27 and 28, 2025, for Chhath Puja. This significant festival ...
[37]
India explores multinational nomination of 'Chhath' for UNESCO ...
Sep 16, 2025 · Union Culture Ministry seeks UNESCO recognition for Chhath festival, promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and cultural pride among ...
[38]
Chhatt Puja and why we know so little - Academia.edu
Chhatt Puja was originally a women's festival to thank the sun god for all the munificence and the bounty conferred, but it is interesting to note how the ...
[39]
Chhath Puja: Origin of the Festival, and the Story of Devasena
Chhath Puja has its origins in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, and in Nepal, but its popularity has now spread not only across north ...
[40]
Chhath Puja 2025: The Legends & Stories Behind the Festival
Oct 22, 2025 · She introduced herself as Devasena, the daughter of Lord Brahma and the protector of all children. She is worshipped as Chhathi Maiya. She ...
[41]
[PDF] religions - Semantic Scholar
Jul 23, 2018 · ... river in all kinds of lifecycle and calendrical events in which the river is the central point, Chhath Pooja (chath¯a/s¯as.t.¯ı p¯uj¯a) ...
[42]
Banana tree: Significance and symbolism
Aug 5, 2025 · In Hinduism, the banana tree symbolizes grace, beauty, and charm, representing elements of nature and human allure, while also embodying ...
[43]
Chhath Puja - Incredible India
In the diverse medley of Indian festivals, Chhath Puja stands as a radiant ... The first day, Nahay Khay, involves taking a holy dip in rivers or water ...
[44]
Chhath Mahaparv Begins Today with Nahay-Khay Ritual - Newsonair
Oct 25, 2025 · ... ritual of Nahay-Khay. The festival is ... There is heavy rush of people buying fruits, earthen pots, and other items used in Chhath Puja.
[45]
HM Amit Shah Wishes Nation on Nahay-Khay, Highlights Tradition ...
Oct 25, 2025 · In a social media post, he said that the festival of Chhath Puja, beginning with the ritual of Nahay-Khay, is a celebration of tradition, faith, ...
[46]
Chhath Puja 2025: Dates, rituals & significance - Organiser
Oct 25, 2025 · Nahay-Khay is also the day when devotees take the sankalp (vow) to observe the Chhath fast with full dedication and purity. It is said that the ...
[47]
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar performs 'Usha Arghya', marking ... - DD News
Oct 28, 2025 · The rituals commenced this year on October 25 with Nahay-Khay, when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal. The second day, Kharna ( ...
[48]
Chhath Puja 2025 - Date, Significance, Rituals And Celebration Of 4 ...
Oct 25, 2025 · The second day, known as Kharna, involves a rigorous day-long fast without water (nirjala vrat). The devotees spend the entire day in devotion, ...
[49]
Kharna Puja Rituals, Sunset Timings & Why Day 2 Fast Is So Important
Oct 26, 2025 · On this day, devotees observe a strict nirjala vrat, which means fasting without water. This fast is meant to promote purity, discipline, and ...Missing: authentic | Show results with:authentic
[50]
Chhath Puja 2024: What Is Kharna Or Lohanda? Significance ...
Nov 6, 2024 · Rasiya kheer and roti, the final meal before the 36-hour fast, are consumed by Vratis in the evening following the puja. The fasting period, ...
[51]
Chhath Puja 2023: What is Kharna or Lohanda? Know the ...
Nov 17, 2023 · Kharna or Lohanda marks the second day of Chhath Puja festival where devotees have a single meal of Rasiya kheer and roti or puri after a day of ...
[52]
Chhath Puja 2025: The Significance Of Rasiya And Roti In The ...
Oct 22, 2025 · The second day is known as Kharna or Lohanda. This day focuses on cleaning the soul and mind of the individuals. In the evening, devotees ...
[53]
Lohanda and Kharna: All about the second day of Chhath puja 2020
Nov 19, 2020 · This year, the second day of Chhath puja falls on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Here is all you need to know about Lohanda and Kharna.<|control11|><|separator|>
[54]
[PDF] Female Emancipation or Pativrata? - DiVA portal
Jun 5, 2020 · The interviews and observations focused on two rituals carried out by women: the Partiv Puja and the Chhath Puja. The results show that ...Missing: origins significance
[55]
Chhath Puja day 2: Celebrating Kharna with devotion and kheer
Nov 5, 2024 · As the festival of Chhath Puja unfolds, Day 2, known as Kharna or Lohanda, deepens the devotional journey with a day-long fast and a grand meal ...
[56]
[PDF] Commentary Chhath Puja - A Study in Religious and Cultural Tourism
Chhath Puja is an ancient, eco-friendly festival in Eastern India, celebrated twice a year, worshipping the sun, dawn goddess, and river Ganga. It involves a ...Missing: medieval | Show results with:medieval
[57]
Chhath Puja Enters Third and Main Day, Devotees Offer Sandhya ...
Oct 27, 2025 · On this day, families gather at riverbanks or water bodies, carrying the soop (bamboo basket) filled with traditional prasad like Thekua, ...
[58]
Chhath Puja 2025 Begins Today: A Deep Dive into the Celestial ...
Oct 25, 2025 · The night is spent in vigil, with families singing Chhath songs and listening to the Chhath Vrat Katha (the story of the fast). Day 4: Usha ...
[59]
Chhath Puja 2025 Sandhya Arghya: Significance, Timings And ...
Oct 26, 2025 · Overnight Vigil: After the Sandhya Arghya, devotees return home or stay near the ghats, and preparing for the next day's Usha Arghya.
[60]
Chhath Puja Fasting: What A 36-Hour Waterless Fast Does To Your ...
Oct 21, 2025 · Experts advise those with chronic conditions to consult doctors before fasting and recommend proper hydration beforehand.
[61]
Should Women Over 60 Observe the 36-Hour Chhath Puja Fast?
Oct 24, 2025 · Consider a milder fast by consuming fruits, coconut water, or light liquids before sunrise · Maintain energy levels to avoid complications ...
[62]
Chhath Puja 2025 Day 4: Check Rituals, Sunrise Time For Usha ...
Oct 27, 2025 · The Usha Arghya is the final and most sacred ritual of Chhath Puja, performed at dawn to worship the rising Sun (Surya Dev). Devotees stand at ...
[63]
Chhath Puja 2025 Guide - Important Do's And Don'ts You Should ...
Oct 24, 2025 · Avoid Non-Vegetarian and Impure Food: Not only the believer but also their family members are not allowed to eat meat, fish, eggs, garlic, or ...
[64]
Chhath Puja 2025: What Is The Significance Of Soop? - News18
Oct 23, 2025 · Soop, the bamboo basket, plays a vital role in Chhath Puja rituals, symbolizing nature and purity in offerings to the Sun god for blessings.
[65]
Chhath Puja 2024: Bananas, Arta Patt, To Thekua - ABP Live
Nov 6, 2024 · Devotees carry a 'soop', a decorated bamboo tray filled with ritual items, along with them when they offer 'arghya' to the Sun God while standing waist-deep in ...
[66]
The Ultimate Guide To Chhath Puja Prasad & Offerings 2025
Oct 22, 2025 · Seasonal fruits play a big role in Chhath offerings. Bananas, sugarcane, coconuts, and other fruits available in autumn are placed in ...Planning Your Chhath Puja... · Thekua: The Quintessential... · Complete Chhath Prasad &...
[67]
Chhath Puja: Significance Of Thekua Prasad During The Festival ...
Nov 5, 2024 · This crispy, delicious, and flavourful prasad is an important part of the festival and symbolises devotion, purity, and the spirit of Chhath Puja.
[68]
Chhath Puja: The festival of the Sun and gratitude to nature
Oct 24, 2025 · They hold bamboo baskets filled with thekua, bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane-symbols of nature's bounty. Folk songs dedicated to Surya Dev and ...
[69]
Chhath Puja 2025: Rituals, Significance & Important Dates and ...
Oct 20, 2025 · Chhath Puja 2025 rituals, significance, and key dates. Learn how this ancient festival honors the Sun God with offerings and prayers across ...
[70]
Chhath Puja 2024 Things To Avoid During Chhath Puja - ABP Live
Oct 13, 2024 · Do not use silver, steel, or plastic utensils in the puja. Only use clay stoves and utensils for this worship. Ensure that the prasad is not ...
[71]
Chhath in Gurugram marked by green practices, clean-up drives
Oct 28, 2025 · Devotees across 60 ghats avoided plastic, used natural decor and biodegradable items, highlighting faith-driven environmental awareness.
[72]
Do's and Don'ts of Chhath Puja
Do not eat non-vegetarian items at home if someone in your family is about to observe the Chhath Puja. Do not let children eat or bite the puja fruits and ...
[73]
Chhath Puja Day 3 - Sandhya Arghya Rituals & Muhurat - Rgyan
The 3rd day of Chhath puja - Sandhya Arghya basically observes the worship of the Sun in the morning when it rises. This day is also known as Bihaniya (Morning ...
[74]
Chhath Puja 2025: 5 Traditional Bihari Dishes That Celebrate ...
Oct 23, 2025 · Thekua or Kajuria is a traditional deep-fried sweet snack from Bihar that is made from whole wheat flour (atta), before the day of Chhath Puja.
[75]
This Chhath Puja, Dulari and I came together to celebrate tradition ...
Oct 24, 2025 · This Chhath Puja, Dulari and I came together to celebrate tradition with three beautiful recipes: • Homemade Sattu • Sattu Makhana Peda • Thekua ...
[76]
From Thekua To Kaddu Bhaat: Iconic Dishes To Make For Chhath ...
Oct 28, 2024 · Made from a batter of flour, bananas, dry fruits and milk, which are deep-fried in ghee or oil, malpuas are then soaked in a sweet syrup made ...
[77]
10 Iconic Traditional Chhath Puja Dishes That You Must Try
Oct 24, 2025 · Malpua are commonly prepared during various Indian festivals but hold special significance during Chhath Puja as a celebratory sweet. Some ...
[78]
Popular Chhath Puja 2025 Dishes: बिहार, यूपी और झारखंड में छठ पूजा ...
Oct 20, 2025 · Popular Chhath Puja 2025 Dishes: छठ पूजा के व्यंजन हर राज्य की संस्कृति और परंपरा को दर्शाते हैं. बिहार का ठेकुआ, यूपी का सत्तू और झारखंड का नारियल लड्डू इस पर्व की असली पहचान हैं.
[79]
Chhat Festival in Nepal 2025 - Mystic Adventure Holidays
Oct 28, 2025 · The offerings typically include thekua (a sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery), seasonal fruits such as bananas and coconuts, and rice laddu ...
[80]
Five delicacies to enjoy this Chhath - Nepal Traveller
Kasar is the most well-known sweet dish, made of rice flour, sugar, dry fruits, ghee, jaggery, and coconut and can be prepared in a matter of minutes.
[81]
How to Make Healthy Shudh Swad Thekua at Home -
Aug 13, 2025 · Healthy thekua is baked instead of fried, uses less sweetener, and may include nutrient-rich add-ins like chia seeds or gluten-free flour, ...
[82]
Healthy Oat Thekua (Without Sugar) /Diabetic Dessert - Cookingenuff
Nov 6, 2018 · It is a awesome recipe and perfect for Diabetics. Cooking time – 45 minutes. Serve – 4. Ingredients –. Quick Oats – 1 cup. Plain flour (Ata) – 1 ...
[83]
Security beefed up across 100 ghats for 'Chhath Puja' in Bihar ...
Nov 7, 2024 · Chhath Puja is Bihar's largest festival, and the state government, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has been actively involved in ...
[84]
Elaborate arrangements made for Chhath Puja festivities in Bihar
Nov 7, 2024 · Patna, Nov 7 (PTI) Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Bihar government across the state for the third day of the Chhath Puja ...Missing: 1984 | Show results with:1984
[85]
Elaborate arrangements made by Bihar Government for Chhath Puja
Oct 28, 2025 · The third day is called 'Pehla Arghya' or 'Sandhya Arghya'. The devotees and their families go to the river bank and offer prasad and 'Argya ...
[86]
Chhath Puja 2025: 7 Sacred Ghats In India To Experience The ...
Oct 10, 2025 · Domuhani Ghat, where the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers meet, turns into a luminous site for rituals. Devotees light diyas, sing Bhojpuri hymns ...
[87]
Chhath Puja in Jharkhand Concludes Peacefully With Rituals and ...
Oct 27, 2025 · Ranchi, Oct 28 (PTI) – On the concluding day of Chhath Puja, devotees across Jharkhand gathered in large numbers at various ghats to pay homage ...<|separator|>
[88]
City readies its makeshift ponds, ghats & markets for 4-day Chhath ...
Oct 25, 2025 · A lot of people I know, who live a bit far away, arrange makeshift ponds near temples or community centres where people in groups of 10 or more ...
[89]
Devotees flock to over 1,000 artificial ponds for Chhath ... - The Hindu
Nov 20, 2023 · Thousands of devotees offered prayers on Sunday at over 1,000 artificial ponds created by the Delhi government for Chhath Puja, a day before the ...
[90]
Chhath Puja: Reflecting the spirit of good governance - Organiser
Oct 30, 2025 · I happened to witness Chhath Puja celebrations in the state of Madhya Pradesh this year, which has a considerable migrant population from Bihar.
[91]
Covid cases rise in Jharkhand, all eyes on Chhath - Telegraph India
Nov 7, 2021 · Chhath ghats are usually overcrowded during the festival, which is likely to make it difficult for the administration to maintain social ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[92]
Chhath Puja Celebrated With Restrictions, Leaders Extend Wishes
Nov 20, 2020 · The four-day celebrations of Chhath Puja have begun across the country with restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
[93]
Sans Covid curbs, thousands throng ghats in Delhi for Chhath Puja
Oct 30, 2022 · After two years of restrictions owing to Covid, thousands of devotees thronged ghats and makeshift ponds across the capital on Sunday to worship the Sun God.
[94]
How Chhath Puja Became a Worldwide Celebration
Oct 22, 2025 · By the 1990s, Chhath was being celebrated in Mauritius, Fiji, Nepal, and Trinidad , all homes to Indo-Caribbean and Bhojpuri-speaking ...
[95]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PetitRaffray/posts/1897827244411462/
[96]
You are kindly invited to participate in the CHHATH PUJA and ...
Oct 19, 2025 · On 22 October 2025 at 18.30 at Island View Garden Auditorium, Petit Raffray On 27 October (15.30 hr to 18.30 hr)and 28 October (5.00 hr to 7.00 ...To all Clarification of Chhat pooja and it's benefits Chhath Puja is ...1) The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun and his wives Usha and ...More results from www.facebook.com<|control11|><|separator|>
[97]
Indian Americans celebrate Chhath Puja in several states across US
Oct 31, 2022 · The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) organized the Chhath Puja across the country including at Thompson Park, Monroe, New ...
[98]
Indian-Americans celebrate Chhath pooja on Potomac river
Nov 19, 2015 · Indians living in America celebrated the Chhath festival with full gusto on the banks of the historic Potomac River near Washington. The ...
[99]
Indian-Americans celebrate Chhath Puja at various places in US
Nov 12, 2021 · Hundreds of Indian-Americans flocked to river banks, lakes and makeshift water bodies across the United States to worship the Sun God as ...
[100]
https://www.theaustraliatoday.com.au/melbourne-to-glow-with-devotion-as-one-of-the-worlds-largest-chhath-puja-celebrations-outside-india-and-nepal-starts-today/
[101]
Melbourne to glow with devotion as one of the world's largest ...
Oct 27, 2025 · Beyond its spiritual significance, Chhath is a celebration of discipline, inclusivity, and environmental harmony, values that align closely ...
[102]
People in Mauritius, Australia celebrate Chhath Puja with vibrant ...
Oct 28, 2025 · The festival commences with Nahay Khay (October 25), when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal. On the second day, Kharna (October ...
[103]
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/global-celebration-of-chhath-bihari-festival-unites-communities-across-continents/articleshow/115087033.cms
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Global Celebration of Chhath: Bihari Festival Unites Communities ...
Nov 8, 2024 · Chhath festival, celebrated by the Bihari diaspora, transcends borders with fervor in over 10 countries, unifying communities through ...