Chhath Puja 2025, one of India’s most sacred and rigorous festivals, is approaching fast. Dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, this ancient Vedic festival holds profound significance, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and among devotees worldwide. Here’s your complete guide to dates, timings, rituals, and the spiritual essence of this beautiful celebration.
Chhath Puja 2025: Essential Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Chhath Puja/Chhath Parv |
| Start Date | October 28, 2025 (Nahay Khay) |
| Main Puja Day | October 30-31, 2025 |
| Deity | Surya Dev & Chhathi Maiya |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Key Ritual | Arghya to rising and setting sun |
| Parana Time | October 31, 2025 (morning) |
Chhath Puja 2025 Complete Date Schedule
Day 1: Nahay Khay (October 28, 2025) – The festival begins with devotees taking holy dips in rivers or ponds, followed by preparing satvik meals. This purification ritual marks the commencement of spiritual discipline required for the four-day observance.
Day 2: Kharna (October 29, 2025) – Devotees observe waterless fast throughout the day, breaking it only after sunset with kheer (sweet rice pudding) made from jaggery, fruits, and rice. This meal, prepared without salt or onion-garlic, is offered to deity first before consumption.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (October 30, 2025) – The most visually stunning day when devotees gather at riverbanks or water bodies to offer evening arghya (offerings) to the setting sun. The 36-hour waterless fast continues through this sacred ritual.
Day 4: Usha Arghya & Parana (October 31, 2025) – Before dawn, devotees return to water bodies to offer morning arghya to the rising sun, completing the rigorous vrat. According to Times of India, this final ritual symbolizes gratitude and renewal of life energy.
Shubh Muhurat for Chhath Puja 2025
Evening Arghya Timing (October 30)
- Sunset Time: 5:42 PM (varies by location)
- Ideal Arghya Period: 5:30 PM to 5:55 PM
Morning Arghya Timing (October 31)
- Sunrise Time: 6:15 AM (varies by location)
- Ideal Arghya Period: 6:05 AM to 6:30 AM
Parana Muhurat (October 31)
- Breaking Fast Time: After morning arghya, approximately 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM
Note: Timings vary based on geographical location. Consult local panchang for precise muhurat.
Complete Chhath Puja Vidhi (Ritual Procedure)
Preparation Phase – Clean homes thoroughly, arrange puja materials including bamboo baskets (daura), earthen lamps, seasonal fruits, thekua (traditional prasad), sugarcane, and coconuts. According to Ministry of Culture, these preparations reflect cultural heritage spanning thousands of years.
Sandhya Arghya Procedure – Devotees dressed in traditional attire stand in waist-deep water facing the setting sun. They offer arghya in specially decorated bamboo baskets containing fruits, thekua, and flowers while chanting sacred mantras. The entire family participates in this collective spiritual experience.
Usha Arghya Procedure – Similar to evening ritual but performed facing the rising sun, symbolizing new beginnings. After offering arghya, devotees break their 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast with prasad distributed among family and community members.
Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja
This festival uniquely worships natural elements without elaborate temple structures or priestly mediation. Devotees directly connect with Surya Dev, considered the source of all life and energy on Earth.
Health Benefits – The rigorous fasting detoxifies the body, while standing in water during specific sun positions is believed to absorb beneficial solar energy. Scientific studies suggest early morning sun exposure provides vitamin D and regulates circadian rhythms.
Environmental Consciousness – Chhath emphasizes eco-friendly celebrations using biodegradable materials and natural offerings, making it one of India’s most environmentally sustainable festivals.
Social Harmony – The festival transcends caste, class, and economic barriers as people from all backgrounds gather at water bodies, creating powerful moments of community bonding and collective devotion.
Essential Items for Chhath Puja
Bamboo baskets (soop/daura), thekua and other traditional sweets, seasonal fruits (banana, coconut, orange), sugarcane stalks, earthen lamps, cotton wicks and ghee, new clothes for deity offerings, turmeric and vermillion, incense sticks and camphor.
Modern Celebrations & Adaptations
Urban devotees without access to natural water bodies use temporary pools or visit designated Chhath ghats arranged by municipal authorities. The festival’s growing popularity beyond traditional regions showcases India’s cultural unity in diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can anyone observe Chhath Puja vrat or is it only for specific communities?
A: Chhath Puja is open to all devotees regardless of caste, community, or gender. While traditionally popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, people from diverse backgrounds now observe this vrat with devotion. According to Amarujala, the festival’s inclusivity reflects its core philosophy of direct divine connection without barriers.
Q: What should I do if I cannot complete the 36-hour waterless fast?
A: While the traditional nirjala (waterless) fast is highly regarded, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions can modify the vrat with guru or family elder guidance. You can observe the fast with water intake or participate in rituals without fasting. The spiritual essence lies in devotion and purity of intention rather than physical endurance alone.
