Chhath Puja: A Festival of Faith, Purity, and Cosmic Gratitude
Heramba Nath
Among the myriad of ancient festivals that illuminate the cultural and spiritual landscape of India, Chhath Puja stands apart as an unparalleled expression of devotion, discipline, and divine harmony with nature. Rooted in the soil of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, this sacred festival transcends geographical and social boundaries, bringing people together in a collective act of thanksgiving to the Sun God — Surya, the life-giver — and to Chhathi Maiya, the goddess believed to be the sister of Surya. What makes Chhath Puja extraordinary is not its grandeur of decoration or ostentation of rituals, but its simplicity, purity, and profound symbolism. It is a celebration where the devotee’s body, mind, and soul converge in perfect alignment with the cosmos.
The festival usually occurs on the sixth day (Shashti) of the bright lunar fortnight of the Kartik month, usually in October or November, just after Diwali. While most Hindu festivals revolve around idol worship, Chhath Puja is distinctive because it venerates the visible source of energy — the Sun — acknowledging its indispensability to all life forms. The worship of the setting and rising Sun during Chhath symbolises the eternal rhythm of life — birth and death, dusk and dawn, despair and hope. It is a divine dialogue between human endurance and celestial benevolence.
The observance extends over four days, each carrying deep spiritual and ecological meanings. The first day, known as Nahay Khay, marks purification of the self and surroundings. Devotees take a ritual bath in rivers or ponds and prepare a simple meal, often of rice, lentils, and pumpkin, cooked in bronze or clay utensils, ensuring absolute cleanliness and sanctity. It signifies the washing away of physical impurities and mental distractions, a prelude to the rigorous fasting that follows.
The second day, Kharna, is an act of extraordinary devotion and restraint. The observer, mostly women known as Vrati, fasts from sunrise to sunset, without water. In the evening, they prepare Kheer (sweet rice pudding) and Chapati made of jaggery, offering them to the deity before sharing it with family members and neighbours. This communal sharing reflects humility and the principle of equality, where food becomes a sacred link binding hearts across class and creed. The fast resumes immediately after the meal and continues without food or water for almost 36 hours — a test of immense physical endurance and mental strength.
The third day, perhaps the most visually captivating, is Sandhya Arghya — the offering to the setting Sun. Dressed in traditional attire, women clad in vibrant sarees and men in simple yet sacred garments proceed towards riverbanks, ponds, or even artificial water bodies. They carry soop (winnowing baskets) filled with fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, thekua (a special sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery), and other offerings. As the crimson hues of the evening sky reflect on the water, devotees stand immersed waist-deep, praying in absolute silence as the Sun descends on the horizon. This moment, bathed in golden tranquillity, represents surrender — an acknowledgment that every end holds within it the seed of a new beginning.
The final day, Usha Arghya, is the offering to the rising Sun. Before dawn, devotees gather again by the water to await the first light of morning. As the first rays pierce the darkness, they lift their soops and hands in reverence, offering gratitude to Surya for sustaining life and bestowing vitality. The rising Sun, pure and resplendent, becomes the symbol of renewal, resilience, and eternal hope. With this act, the fast is broken, and the festival concludes with joy, songs, and the sharing of prasad — sacred food prepared with love and devotion.
Chhath Puja is more than a religious ritual; it is a festival of nature worship, environmental respect, and human discipline. Every act within its observance mirrors ecological awareness — the use of natural ingredients, avoidance of artificial materials, and worship at riverbanks signify humanity’s dependence on and gratitude towards nature. In today’s era of environmental degradation, Chhath Puja silently reminds us of the sacred bond between human beings and the environment, urging us to restore purity to the waters and sanctity to the air we breathe.
The fasting observed during Chhath is not merely a religious austerity; it carries profound scientific and spiritual relevance. Fasting detoxifies the body, purifies the mind, and strengthens willpower. Standing in water during the Sun offerings enhances blood circulation, and exposure to sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D — a vital element for human health. Ancient Indian sages, who understood the relationship between cosmic energy and human well-being, embedded such practices in the ritual fabric, making Chhath not only a festival of faith but also a festival of health and harmony.
The role of women in Chhath Puja is central and profound. They are the carriers of tradition, the preservers of purity, and the spiritual pillars of households. Observing the tough fasts and performing rituals with unwavering devotion, women exemplify endurance, faith, and love. Yet, Chhath transcends gender — men too, driven by belief and family devotion, often participate as Vratis, symbolising that spirituality in its truest essence knows no boundaries of gender or status. The presence of families, neighbours, and communities coming together reflects unity in diversity — one of the finest features of India’s cultural ethos.
The songs of Chhath, sung in the regional dialects of Bhojpuri and Maithili, form the emotional core of the celebration. These folk songs, passed down through generations, are filled with tender emotion, gratitude, and love for Chhathi Maiya. Their melodies float across riverbanks at dusk and dawn, creating a serene ambience that touches even those who are not directly participating. Through these songs, the people express their hopes, pain, and prayers — weaving their personal stories into the vast cosmic tapestry of devotion.
Chhath Puja is also a festival of purity in its truest sense — purity of heart, purity of intention, and purity of environment. Every object used in the ritual is cleansed, every food item prepared with utmost hygiene, every act performed with mindfulness. Even the smallest deviation or impurity is believed to affect the sanctity of the ritual. This strict adherence to cleanliness symbolises an inner purification — a cleansing of greed, ego, and negativity, leading to spiritual awakening.
For the diaspora of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh across India and abroad, Chhath Puja remains a nostalgic link to their roots. Whether celebrated along the ghats of Ganga in Patna, on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi, or even in distant foreign lands, the same spirit endures. Artificial ponds are constructed in cities, and the fragrance of thekua travels through the air, binding millions in one thread of faith. In the modern urban context, Chhath serves as a reminder of simplicity amidst complexity, of devotion amidst distraction.
In the philosophical sense, Chhath Puja reflects the essence of Indian spirituality — the belief that divinity resides in natural forces. The Sun, the giver of light and life, represents consciousness, knowledge, and energy. Worshipping the Sun is symbolic of honouring the inner light that dispels ignorance and darkness within. When devotees bow to the setting and rising Sun, they are in truth bowing to the universal rhythm of existence — an acceptance that all creation is interconnected, and that gratitude is the purest form of prayer.
In a time when technology-driven lifestyles and material ambitions dominate human existence, Chhath Puja stands as a moral compass pointing toward simplicity, self-discipline, and gratitude. It teaches that divinity is not confined to temples or rituals, but resides in the humble act of acknowledging the sources that sustain life — the Sun, the water, the soil, the air. The devotees who stand barefoot by the riverside, fasting for days and offering fruits and flowers to the Sun, symbolise the essence of faith — silent, unwavering, and selfless.
In its every gesture, Chhath embodies the message that spirituality need not be loud; it can be serene, silent, and deeply personal. It does not require wealth or status — only sincerity. As the glowing orb of the Sun rises over the tranquil waters, illuminating the faces of thousands of devotees, one witnesses not just a festival, but a living prayer of humanity — one that transcends caste, creed, and religion.
Chhath Puja, thus, is a festival that nourishes both the body and the soul. It teaches patience in hardship, gratitude in prosperity, and faith in uncertainty. It reminds us that human life, much like the Sun, must rise after every setting, must shine after every darkness. In a world growing increasingly divided, Chhath remains a symbol of unity, resilience, and eternal hope — a timeless reflection of India’s spiritual depth and cultural grace.
The image of a devotee standing waist-deep in water, eyes closed, palms folded toward the glowing Sun, encapsulates the very spirit of existence — humility before the vastness of the universe and thankfulness for the miracle of life. It is not merely a ritual; it is a moment of communion between human soul and cosmic consciousness. And that is what makes Chhath Puja not just a festival, but a philosophy — one that continues to illuminate hearts across generations, as enduring as the Sun itself.