ॐ
Loading…
क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
Loading…
क्षण भर प्रतीक्षा करें
Kartik • Shukla Paksha • Shashthi
The four-day vrat to Surya and Chhathi Maiyya — the most rigorous Hindu fast, undertaken without a priest, on the banks of any flowing water.
Date for this festival is not yet available. Please check back later.
Chhath is unique among Hindu festivals: no idol, no priest, no temple — just the vrati, the Sun, the water and faith. The 4-day austerity is among the most rigorous in any religion. Originally a Bihari/Eastern UP/Jharkhand/Nepali festival, Chhath has spread with diaspora migration to Maharashtra, Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and the Indian diaspora globally. UNESCO has recognised it as one of the most ecologically pure festivals — only natural, biodegradable items are used, and water bodies are cleaned by the community before puja.
Chhath is one of the most ancient Vedic vratas — pre-dating the Puranas. The Rig Veda contains hymns to Surya that vratis still chant. According to legend, Sita observed Chhath at Mungher (Bihar) for Rama's safe return; Draupadi observed it on the suggestion of Rishi Dhaumya during the Pandavas' exile. Karna, son of Surya, performed daily arghya to his father standing waist-deep in water — the Chhath ritual mirrors this. Chhathi Maiyya (also called Usha, the dawn) is Surya's sister and protector of children — vratis pray to her for the wellbeing of their family.
Presiding Deity:Surya, Chhathi Maiyya (Usha)
Day 1 (Nahay Khay): vrati takes a pre-dawn bath, eats only one sattvic meal of rice, chana dal and lauki — cooked on a clay chulha with mango wood, no garlic/onion/ordinary salt.
Day 2 (Kharna / Lohanda): full-day fast (no water either). At sunset, vrati eats kheer-roti made from new rice and jaggery. After this meal, the 36-hour Nirjala fast begins.
Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya): vrati and family proceed to a riverbank/pond/canal in late afternoon. Vrati stands waist-deep in water at sunset and offers arghya (water + milk + thekua + fruits) to the setting sun in a soop (bamboo basket).
Night vigil: family stays awake all night singing Chhath maiyya geet. Many recite the Chhath Vrat Katha. The Nirjala fast continues through the night.
Day 4 (Usha Arghya): pre-dawn return to the same waterbody. Vrati offers arghya to the rising sun (Usha — the dawn form of Surya). The fast is broken on the riverbank with thekua, fruit and water.
Prasad: thekua (whole-wheat-jaggery cookie deep-fried in pure ghee) is the signature Chhath prasad. Distributed widely to family, neighbours and the entire ghat community.
Strict purity rules: vrati uses only new clothes (typically yellow, red), sleeps on the floor, does not touch impure substances, prepares all prasad with own hands, carries the soop to the ghat herself.
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath 2026 begins on TBA (Nahay Khay) — Kartik Shukla Chaturthi — and runs 4 days. Sandhya Arghya is on Shashthi, Usha Arghya on Saptami morning. Sunrise/sunset times for your location govern the arghya muhurats.
Can men observe the Chhath vrat?
Yes. Although traditionally observed mostly by women, men have always been welcome — especially heads of household, fathers praying for children, and devotees with strong sankalpas. The vrat is identical regardless of gender. Many Bihari and Purvanchali men today observe Chhath as the family's principal vrati.
Why is the Chhath fast so rigorous (36 hours Nirjala)?
The intensity is deliberate — Chhath is considered the most direct connection to Surya, who in Vedic understanding is the visible Brahman (the divine made manifest). The austerity purifies the body for this direct dialogue. Chhathi Maiyya is invoked precisely because of how difficult the vrat is — she protects the vrati and her family in proportion to the rigour. The 36-hour duration covers two sunsets and one sunrise/sunset cycle of arghya.
Can pregnant women observe the Chhath fast?
Strict Nirjala for 36 hours is medically unsafe in pregnancy. Pregnant vratis may observe a modified version — fruits and water through the day, only the actual arghya moments observed strictly, prasad-only diet. Chhathi Maiyya, as protector of children and mothers, accepts the bhavana over the form. Consult a doctor and discuss with the family elder vrati.
Why is thekua the special Chhath prasad?
Thekua's ingredients (whole wheat, jaggery, ghee, fennel/coconut) are all sattvic, naturally preservative (lasts weeks without refrigeration), and offered to Surya as he himself is the source of the wheat (sun-grown). Its preparation requires the vrati's purity (made by hand, in a clean kitchen). The shape — typically embossed with a wooden block — bears auspicious motifs. No Chhath is considered complete without thekua arghya.
Diwali (Deepavali)
The festival of lights — celebrating the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
Dhanteras
Day 1 of Diwali — the worship of Lakshmi, Kuber and Dhanvantari for wealth, health and prosperity.
Karva Chauth
The fasting vow observed by married women from sunrise until moonrise — for the longevity, health and prosperity of their husbands.
Send this festival guide to family and friends.
This page updates automatically every year.