Chhath Puja 2025: Soaking in the Divine Energy of the Sun

Chhath Puja is one of the major festivals celebrated in Indian states like Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. As it falls on the sixth day of the Kartik month, it is also called ‘ Surya Shashti. 

Devotees celebrate this four-day bathing festival with strict abstinence and ritual purity. This year, it will be celebrated from 25 to 28 October.

Tracing the Divine Roots of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a festival celebrated six days after Diwali. During this time, people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Nepal, and eastern UP gather to pray to Lord Sun, the epitome of light, and seek his blessings for prosperity and well-being. 

The festival is not confined merely to these Indian states, but also in Mauritius and New York. During this festival, ghats are cleaned and illuminated with lamps. 

Devotees perform the bathing ritual by taking a dip in the rivers and offering arghya to the rising and setting sun.

Like other festivals with a backdrop of mythological tales, there are stories which mark the celebration of Chhath Puja.

It says that Maa Sita performed the Chhath Puja to express her gratitude to the Sun god for his blessings for their safe return from exile and for making Ayodhya prosperous.

The festival also shares a connection with a very popular character from the Mahabharata, Karna, the valiant son of the Sun God.

Even though he was unaware that Lord Surya was his original father, he was his ardent devotee and daily offered arghya while standing in the river. 

His devotion towards Lord Surya is known to have paved the way for worshipping both the rising and setting sun.

Another story revolves around the ancient story of King Priyavrata,  the first son of Manu. Having no children made him disheartened. 

Once, he was advised to perform a yagna by a sage to beget a son. Adhering to his advice, he did perform the yagya. Although his queen wife Malini conceived the child but he was stillborn.

Losing hope once again, King Priyavarta decided to end his life, but before he could do so, he was stopped by a celestial goddess named Devasena. She was the daughter of Lord Brahma. 

With her divine touch, the lifeless child came to life, ending the sorrow of the king and his wife. Overjoyed with this, King Priyavarta decided to establish a sacred and eternal place for her on earth. 

Since then, Devasana is known as Chhati Maiya and is worshipped along with the sun god. According to belief, worshipping her during Chhath Puja is auspicious, as she blesses childless couples and is protective of her devotees' children.

Rituals To Follow

To celebrate Chhath Puja, here are the four main rituals one has to perform. 

• Nahay Khay - The festival of Chhath Puja starts with a satvik meal. Having satvik food helps detoxify your body and improve the digestive system.
• Kharna - Kharna, or intermittent fasting, is concluded in the evening after a short period of abstinence. It fosters both metabolic and mental health discipline.
• Sandhya Arghya - Known as evening aarti, in this devotees offer water and milk to the setting sun. They offer fruits, sugarcane, and diyas to the sun god.
• Usha Arghya - This ritual marks the conclusion of Chhath Puja. During this daytime ritual, devotees worship the rising sun with holy water and milk as offerings.

Logic Behind Performing Chhath Puja in Water

The logic behind performing Chhath Puja in water is beneficial from both spiritual and scientific perspectives. In spiritual terms, water reflects purity and surrender. 

Standing half-immersed in water results in the fusion of two vital elements of nature - fire (the Sun) and water. It is a gesture of showing your respect for nature and the divine.

This ritual reminds us that all forms of life rest on the balance of these two elements. 

From a scientific perspective, water has a calming effect on one’s nervous system because it serves as a natural conductor and reflector of the sun’s energy.

It improves blood circulation and makes one feel relaxed. 

Final words

Lord Surya has been a sacred deity worshipped by many civilisations through the ages. Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to his divine grace. 

More than just a ritual, it is a celebration of expressing gratitude to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, his sister. 

Every year, millions of devotees partake in this auspicious event, expressing their deep devotion. 

Chhath Puja is a testament to India's rich cultural heritage that will continue to inspire generations.

May the divine blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya fill your life with peace and prosperity. 

Happy Chhath Puja 2025!