The auspicious festival of Chhath Puja begins on November 5, 2024, with the first ritual of Nahay Khay, marking the start of a four-day observance dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. Deeply rooted in Vedic tradition, Chhath Puja is celebrated primarily across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. This festival holds profound significance as it brings together devotees to express gratitude, seek blessings, and embrace spiritual discipline through a series of elaborate rituals. Chhath Puja 2024 unfolds with each day carrying a unique essence, reinforcing the bond between humans and nature, prosperity, and vitality.
Significance
Chhath Puja is more than a religious celebration; it embodies a deep respect for nature and life-sustaining elements. Every ritual, from the holy dip in rivers on Nahay Khay to the offerings of Sandhya Arghya and Bihaniya Arghya, reflects an intrinsic reverence for natural resources, reminding devotees of their responsibility to maintain harmony with the environment. In an age of ecological consciousness, Chhath Puja is a timeless tradition that underlines sustainability and gratitude, values that remain as relevant today as they were in ancient times.
Devotees believe that observing Chhath Puja brings peace, prosperity, and divine protection, reaffirming their connection to the cycles of life and nature. The festival is a homage to Surya Dev, acknowledging his life-giving power and seeking his blessings for health, happiness, and harmony.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (November 5, 2024)
The festival commences with Nahay Khay, a day centered around ritual cleansing and purity. On this day, devotees, especially women, begin with a holy dip in rivers, often the revered Ganga. This act symbolises spiritual cleansing, as participants immerse themselves in sacred waters to wash away impurities, aligning themselves for the rigorous fasts and prayers ahead.
After the bath, a simple vegetarian meal is prepared, known for its sattvic nature, embodying purity and simplicity. This sacred meal often consists of rice, pumpkin curry (kaddu bhat), and lentils (dal). Consumed as the sole meal of the day, this act of abstaining from non-vegetarian food, garlic, and onions represents a commitment to purity, setting the spiritual tone for the days to follow. The practice of Nahay Khay is a reminder of the need for inner cleansing before embarking on the journey of devotion.
Day 2: Kharna (November 6, 2024)
Kharna, the second day, is marked by intense fasting and spiritual resolve. On this day, devotees undertake a strict fast that lasts from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and water. This unwavering fast symbolises complete devotion and detachment from worldly desires, preparing the devotee to attain spiritual clarity.
As evening approaches, devotees break their fast with a traditional meal prepared as an offering (prasad) to Chhathi Maiya, often consisting of kheer (a sweet rice pudding made with jaggery and rice), chapati, and bananas. This food is first offered to the deity before consumption, symbolising surrender and devotion. The evening meal becomes a sacred act of communion, reinforcing the connection between the devotee and divine, laying the foundation for the main observances that follow.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (November 7, 2024)
The third day, Sandhya Arghya, is the festival’s most significant day, devoted to worshiping the setting sun. As one of the few Hindu festivals that include offerings to the setting sun, this ritual underscores gratitude towards Surya Dev for life’s sustenance and continuity. Devotees fast for the entire day, abstaining from food and water, and gather by rivers, ponds, or other water bodies as evening approaches.
At sunset, the women, dressed in vibrant sarees, carry bamboo baskets filled with offerings such as sugarcane, thekua (a sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery), and seasonal fruits. As they present arghya (water offerings) to the setting sun, the air is filled with traditional folk songs and chants praising Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. This moment is marked by devotion and reverence, as devotees collectively pray for family health, prosperity, and longevity. The fasting continues overnight, symbolising an unwavering commitment to spiritual ideals, as they await the dawn for the final rituals.
Day 4: Bihaniya Arghya (November 8, 2024)
The concluding day, Bihaniya Arghya, also known as Usha Arghya, brings the Chhath Puja observance to a meaningful close. Before sunrise, devotees once again gather by the rivers, ponds, or designated water bodies to offer their morning prayers to the rising sun. This ritual symbolises hope, renewal, and the onset of a new beginning, as the first light of the day is believed to bestow energy, vitality, and blessings on the devotees.
With the completion of this ritual, the rigorous 36-hour fast is finally broken in a ceremony known as Parana, where devotees share prasad with family and friends, marking the end of the four-day festival. The distribution of prasad reinforces the spirit of unity, as families come together to celebrate the successful completion of this deeply spiritual journey.
