Chhath Puja Dates

• November 5, 2024: Nahay Khaaye (Sunrise: 6:15 a.m., Sunset: 5:52 p.m.)
• November 6, 2024: Kharna (Sunrise: 6:15 a.m., Sunset: 5:51 p.m.)
• November 7, 2024: Sandhya Argha (Sunrise: 6:15 a.m., Sunset: 5:51 p.m.)
• November 8, 2024: Usha Argha (Sunrise: 6:16 a.m., Sunset: 5:51 p.m.)

History and Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja has ancient roots, tracing back to the times of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is one of India’s oldest festivals, believed to have been practiced since those eras. The tradition of sun worship illustrates humanity’s connection with nature throughout history. According to legend, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed this puja upon returning from their 14-year exile, with Sita fasting to seek blessings from the sun god. Similarly, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, is said to have conducted this puja before the great war of Mahabharata, seeking divine help for her husbands to reclaim their kingdom.

Her prayers are believed to have contributed to their success, highlighting the puja’s role in overcoming challenges and inviting prosperity. Chhath Puja also honors Chatthi Maiya, the goddess of dawn, who blesses families and children. A key ritual involves offering ‘argha’ or water to both the rising and setting sun, symbolizing reverence for nature’s sustaining forces.

This festival promotes both physical and mental well-being, with a 36-hour fast observed without water, serving as a detoxification process. Performed near water bodies at sunrise and sunset, the rituals emphasize the therapeutic benefits of sunlight and cleansing of the body and surroundings. At its heart, Chhath Puja is about expressing gratitude for the sun’s life-sustaining energy, vital for crops, health, and overall well-being. It fosters family and community bonding as people come together to pray for fortune and health.

Chhath Puja Samagri

To participate in this vibrant celebration, you’ll need various items for the rituals, including:

• Pear
• Turmeric
• Areca nut (supari)
• Ginger plant
• Red vermilion powder
• Incense sticks
• Milk
• Water
• Jaggery
• Water jug
• Plates
• Two bamboo baskets
• New clothes
• Coconut filled with liquid
• Bamboo or sugarcane sticks
• Sandalwood
• Rice
• Ghee diya
• Sindoor

For convenience, consider ordering your puja essentials online and having them delivered to your doorstep.

Muhurat of Chhath Puja

Preparations for Chhath Puja

• Cleaning Your Home: Ensure your home is tidy before the puja to maintain purity. A clean space is believed to invite positivity and enhance spiritual connections.
• Making Prasad: Prepare offerings such as fruits and kheer in a positive environment, as these are considered sacred.
• Shopping List: Compile a list of items ahead of time to avoid a last-minute rush.
• Wheat Preparation: Washing and drying wheat symbolizes purity, an important aspect of the rituals.
• Sandhya and Usha Argha: Dress appropriately for the argh ceremonies and maintain silence to focus on the rituals. These moments serve as an opportunity to bond with family and community.

Important Don’ts for Chhath Puja

• Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before touching any puja items to maintain purity.
• Avoid Salty and Spicy Foods: Stick to Sattvik food during the fasting period.
• No Non-Vegetarian Food: To uphold the festival’s principles, avoid non-vegetarian food, which is considered impure.
• Wear Clean Clothes: Fresh attire symbolizes new beginnings, essential for spiritual upliftment.

The Four-Day Rituals of Chhath Puja

1. Day 1 (Nahaye Khaaye): Devotees bathe in holy water and consume a single meal devoid of onion, garlic, and spices.
2. Day 2 (Kharna): Devotees fast without water from sunrise to sunset, breaking their fast with offerings of kheer, bananas, or fruits.
3. Day 3: Another day of fasting without water, during which devotees offer argha to the sun at sunset.
4. Day 4: The main day of Chhath Puja, concluding with offerings to the sun at sunrise.

Traditional Chhath Puja Foods and Recipes

Chhath Puja emphasizes Sattvik living, reflected in the food prepared during the festival. Here are some recipes:

• Chawal Ki Kheer: A creamy dessert made with rice, milk, and sugar, garnished with dry fruits and flavored with cardamom, usually prepared on Kharna.
• Laal Saag: A nutritious dish made with red amaranth leaves, sautéed with minimal seasoning.
• Thekua: A sweet, crispy snack made from wheat flour and jaggery, often prepared in large quantities for sharing.
• Khonda: A sweet pumpkin curry prepared with minimal spices, typically served as part of the puja feast.

This comprehensive guide should help you prepare for a meaningful and joyful Chhath Puja celebration in 2024!

Chhath Puja Summary

Chhath Puja, celebrated primarily in Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, honors Lord Surya and his wife, Chatthi Maiya, on the sixth day after Diwali. The festival spans four days, with rituals involving fasting, offerings to the sun, and community bonding. Key elements include the offering of ‘argha’ at sunrise and sunset, symbolizing gratitude to nature. Traditional foods are Sattvik, emphasizing purity and simplicity. This year, Chhath Puja will be observed from November 5 to November 8, 2024.