What Is Chhath Puja and What to Wear During Chhath Festival

 🙏 Chhath Puja: What is it and Why is it Celebrated? 🌅

Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and most sacred festivals in India. This festival is dedicated to the worship of Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi maiya . It is believed that the Sun is the foundation of life - its rays not only illuminate the Earth but also provide energy and strength to every living being. For this reason, Chhath Puja is considered a symbol of balance between nature and humanity.

This festival is especially celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in Bihar, Jharkhand , Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Terai regions of Nepal. Both women and men observe fasting during Chhath Puja, which symbolizes not only physical purity but also mental strength and self-discipline .

Chhath Puja is also called the “Great Festival of Sun Worship” because people offer Arghya to both the setting and rising Sun. This symbolizes that both the evening (end) and the morning (beginning) are equally important in life.

🕉️ Why is Chhath Puja so special in Bihar?

Faith runs deep in the soil of Bihar, and Chhath Puja is its most sacred expression. Here, this festival is not just a religious ritual but a reflection of public sentiment and cultural identity. Every year, when the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month arrives, streets and riverbanks are cleaned, homes are purified, and every family prepares for Chhath.

For the people of Bihar, Chhath Puja is not just about worship - it represents a deep connection with family, tradition, and nature. During this festival, people help each other, honor the devotees, and the entire atmosphere is filled with devotion.

🌅  Why is this festival considered so sacred?

The rules and fasting of Chhath Puja are

extremely strict - devotees worship Surya Dev for four days with complete purity and fasting. There is no show-off; everything is performed with simplicity, devotion, and sanctity. This is what makes it different from other festivals.

It is believed that a person who observes The chhath fast sincerely is relieved of all hardships, and happiness and prosperity come to the family. Along with Surya Dev, Chhathi Maiya is considered the goddess of child welfare, health, and prosperity.

✴️ The Four Days of Chhath Puja - Rituals, 

Tradition, and Significance Chhath Puja is not a one-day celebration but a four-day sacred ritual. Each day has its own special method, tradition, and religious importance. During these four days, a wonderful blend of purity, discipline, and devotion is observed.

🕉️ Summary of the Four Days

The four days of Chhath Puja convey messages of purity, discipline, dedication, and gratitude towards nature. Each day teaches a life lesson:

1. Nahay-Khay - Purity of body and mind.

2. Kharna - Self-discipline and patience.

3. Sandhya Arghya - Respecting the end.

4. Usha Arghya - Hope for a new beginning.

✅ Day 1 - Nahay-Khay

Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay. On this day, the devotee takes an early morning bath in a sacred river or pond and cleans the house thoroughly. The meaning of this day is the beginning of purity - to purify both body and mind. The devotee eats only once on this day, a purely sattvic meal - usually bottle gourd with rice (lauki-bhat) and chana dal, prepared without garlic or onion.

🙏 This day conveys that purity and discipline are essential before performing any ritual.

✅ Day 2 - Kharna

Kharna is also called the "short fast." On this day, the devotee observes a nirjala fast - no food or water throughout the day. In the evening, after sunset, offerings like gur ki kheer (jaggery pudding), roti, and fruits are prepared. The devotee first consumes the offerings and the shares them with family and neighbors.

🙏 This day signifies self-discipline and devotion – true faith is shown when we can control our desires.

✅ Day 3 - Sandhya Arghya 🌅

This is the most grand and beautiful day of Chhath Puja. In the evening, devotees and their families gather at riverbanks or ghats. During sunset, the Sun God is offered the first Arghya.Fruits, Thekua, coconut, sugarcane, lamps, and other ritual items are placed in a bamboo basket (Daura) for the offering.

The entire atmosphere becomes spiritual -songs, folk hymns, and "Chhathi Maiya songs"resonate at the ghats. Offering Arghya to the setting sun symbolizes that every end should be respected because every end opens the path to a new beginning.

✅ Day 4 - Usha Arghya

On the final day, devotees offer Arghya to the rising sun. This moment is deeply emotional and spiritual, as it is believed that the morning sun brings new energy, hope, and prosperity. When the first rays of the sun fall on the water, the devotees conclude their fast. Afterwards, family members exchange Prasad and blessings.

👍  On this day, the devotees' faces shine with joy – the fruit of four days of devotion and austerity is finally received. 🌅🌅🌅 

🪔🏮 Rules, Characteristics, and Precautions of the Fast

The Chhath fast is considered very strict and sacred. To observe it properly, a person must be pure not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. This fast is based on complete devotion, discipline, and adherence to rules.

✳️ Main Rules of the Fast

1.Purity is essential:

✅ Houses, kitchens, and the prayer area must be thoroughly clean. All utensils, clothes, and fruits used for the rituals should be new or completely clean.

2. No garlic or onion:

✅ Devotees and family members eat only sattvic food without garlic and onion during this period.

3. No artificial items;

✅ No store-bought sweets or colored materials are used in the offerings. Everything is prepared at home with pure ghee and flour - like Thekua, Malpua, and Kheer.

4. Observing the fast:

✅ The devotee observes a continuous 36- hour nirjala fast. During this period, neither food nor water is consumed This fast symbolizes complete self-discipline and devotion.

🍁 Characteristics of the Fast

🔷 The fast is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

🔷 It honors the six elements: nature, water, fire, air, sky, and the sun.

🔷  Chhath Puja teaches that humans and nature complement each other.

🔷 Not only women, but many men also observe this fast for the well-being of the entire family.

♦️ Precautions and Traditions

1. There should be no display of ostentation; everything is done with simplicity and devotion.

2. Devotees should stay away from anger, lies, or impure thoughts during this period.

3. Wearing shoes or slippers at the prayer site or ghat is prohibited.

4. Devotees also participate in cleaning the water body to keep it pure.

5. The environment around the devotee should remain calm and sacred.

✴️ Spiritual Message

Chhath Puja teaches us that

🎗️ "True devotion is not only in temples but in our actions and simplicity."⭐

In this fast, discipline and sincerity are valued more than show. It is believed that those who observe this fast sincerely are blessed by Surya Dev and bring happiness and prosperity to their families.

🏵️🏵️🥥 Prasad Offered During Chhath Puja and Their Significance

Prasad holds great importance in Chhath Puja. It is not just food but a symbol of devotion, sincerity, and purity. Each offering has its own religious and spiritual meaning, made to please Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev.

 🥧 1. Thekua

Thekua is the most prominent prasad of Chhath Puja.It is made of wheat flour, jaggery, and desi ghee. It is fried in oil or ghee, with beautiful designs on top.Thekua symbolizes sincere effort and devotion, as it is handmade at home without machines or store-bought items.

♦️ It shows that true worship comes through effort and simplicity.

🍯 2.Gur ki Kheer (Jaggery Pudding)

Prepared on Kharna, this pudding made of jaggery and rice is sweet and sacred. Jaggery symbolizes purity and sweetness .It is believed that this prasad removes bitterness from the mind and brings sweetness to relationships.

🥥🥥3. Fruits and Coconut🍎🍊

Bananas, apples, guava, coconut, sugarcane, etc, are offered .All these fruits symbolize nature's blessings and prosperity. Coconut specifically symbolizes purity and sacrifice – hard outside, but white and pure inside.🍍🍍🍐

🙏 Its message: A person should be judged inner purity, not outer appearance. 

🍁 Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a favorite fruit of Surya Dev .It is placed upright during Arghya and symbolizes strength, stability, and longevity .It teaches that sweetness in life exists only when we follow a straight and honest path.

5. Lamp (Diya) 🪔🪔

A lamp is an integral part of every ritual. In Chhath Puja, clay lamps are lit to create a union of light between water and the Sun. It symbolizes knowledge, hope, and faith.

✳️ 6. Daura (Bamboo Basket)

The bamboo basket used to hold prasad holds great significance. It symbolizes humility and connection with nature .Bamboo bends but does not break.

🍁 teaching that humility is the greatest strength in life.

🏵️ Spiritual Meaning of Prasad

All prasad of Chhath Puja conveys one message:

♦️ “True devotion lies in simplicity:♦️

Through these offerings, devotees present the purity of their mind, body, and actions to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. It is believed that those who sincerely prepare and offer prasad are blessed with happiness, health, and prosperity.

 💃🕺Now let's talk a bit about our dressing sense.

👩‍🦰 Women's Dress for Chhath Puja

✅ 1. Saree : Women usually wear new sarees in yellow, orange, red, or turmeric shades, as these symbolize purity and devotion.

✅ 2.Fabric : Cotton, silk, or Banarasi sarees are most popular.

✅ 3. Veil (Pallu/Ghunghat): During puja, women cover their heads as a mark of respect and purity.

✅ 4. Jewelry: Traditional ornaments like bangles,  bindis, mangtika, anklets, and sindoor complete the festive look

✅ 5. Barefoot: Devotee women remain barefoot throughout the rituals.

♦️ The attire represents simplicity, devotion, and spiritual discipline.

💃 Girls'Dress

1. Little girls usually wear salwar suits, lehenga cholis, or traditional frocks.

2. The colors are mostly yellow, orange, or red to match the festive theme.

3. Hair is often decorated with flowers or gajra (floral garland)

4. Small bangles and bindis add a cute and traditional touch.

👨‍🦱 Men's Dress for Chhath Puja

1. Men mostly wear kurta-pajama or dhoti-kurta, keeping it traditional and modest.

2. Colors like white, yellow, or light shades are preferred for purity.

3. Many men also remain barefoot, especially those observing the fast.

4. A cotton gamcha (scarf) on the shoulder or head adds to the traditional look.

🕴️ Boys' Dress

1. Young boys wear kurta -pajamas or small dhoti-style outfits.

2.Some also wear a little ethnic Nehru jacket for a festive touch.

3. To match tradition, a small gamcha or cap can also be added.

🏵️ Overall Dress Theme

🛍️ Colors :  Yellow, red, orange, golden, turmeric,  and white.

🛍️  Style :  Simple, traditional, and modest - no glitter or heavy decoration.

🛍️ Meaning :  Symbol of purity, simplicity, and devotion to the Sun God.