Chhath Puja: Complete Date, Significance & Puja, Rituals In 2025

Chhath Puja: Complete Date, Significance & Puja, Rituals In 2025

The auspicious festival of Chhath Puja holds a special place in the Hindu spiritual calendar, especially in eastern India and the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh. In 2025 this four-day festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and his sister, Chhathi Maiya, will be observed with deep devotion and traditional rituals.

Quick Facts at a Glance

• Festival Name: Chhath Puja
• Purpose: Worship of Surya Dev & Chhathi Maiya for health, prosperity and fulfilment of wishes
• Duration in 2025: Four days (Nahay Khay → Kharna → Sandhya Arghya → Usha Arghya)
• 2025 Key Dates:

  • Nahay Khay: Sunday, 26 October 2025

  • Kharna & Sandhya Arghya: Monday, 27 October 2025

  • Usha Arghya (Morning offerings): Tuesday, 28 October 2025

• Who observes it: Widely in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepali states, also by the diaspora

Main Body

1. Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is not just a ritual observance but a deep act of gratitude towards Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya — symbols of life-force, purity and nature’s strength. The festival draws its roots from ancient solar-worship traditions and the notion of ‘standing in water for devotion’ which emphasises discipline and surrender.

2. Why the Date Matters

Since Chhath follows the lunar calendar (Kartik month) and coincides with the end of the harvest season, its timing is spiritually and agriculturally significant. For 2025, the festival phase begins on 26 October.

The correct observance is especially important because the tithi (lunar day) and arghya timings determine the ritual’s potency.

3. Detailed Puja Vidhi for Chhath Puja 2025

Here’s a step-by-step guide to observing Chhath in line with tradition:

Day 1 — Nahay Khay (26 October)

• Devotees bathe in a clean river/pond early morning.
• Eat a simple vegetarian meal (usually rice, dal, fruits) after the bath — nothing fried.
• Clean the house and the puja place; decorate with rangoli or banana leaves.
• Offer prayers to Surya Dev in the evening.

Day 2 — Kharna & Sandhya Arghya (27 October)

• Fasting begins from sunrise; only fruits and milk allowed till sunset.
• After sunset, prepare a special prasada (usually kheer, thekua) and break the fast (kharna) before offering evening arghya to the setting sun.
• Dress in clean traditional clothes; go to river-bank with offerings and stand in water to offer arghya to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
• Return home, distribute prasada among family and neighbours.

Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya continuation

• Overnight vigil (optional). In the evening stand again in water, offer arghya and observe silence or chant surya mantras.
• Avoid meat, alcohol, negativity; maintain purity of mind and speech.

Day 4 — Usha Arghya (28 October)

• Before sunrise, go to the river/pond, offer morning arghya to rising Sun while standing waist-deep in water.
• Break fast only after offering and taking holy bath again.
• Distribute prasada widely (especially to children, elderly, and needy).
• Final prayers to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev.
• Resume normal diet after day’s rituals conclude.

4. Preparation Tips & Things to Keep in Mind

• Choose a clean water-body (river, pond) free from pollution.
• Prepare the puja samagri in advance: banana leaves/tray, earthen lamp, unbroken wheat or rice (for thekua), fruits, arghya container.
• Avoid use of non-vegetarian food, cigarettes, alcohol during the festival days.

5. Spiritual Benefits and Social Importance

• Enhances self-discipline, deepens faith in cosmic forces and gratitude to nature.
• Strengthens family and community bonds — the collective gathering at water-bodies is a beautiful social ritual.
• Symbolically, by honouring the Sun you affirm the light of knowledge and the victory over darkness.
• Encourages ecological awareness and respect for rivers/water-bodies which are integral to the rituals.

FAQs

Q1. Can I observe Chhath Puja outside Bihar or Jharkhand (for example, in Andhra Pradesh)?
Yes. While the tradition is strongest in eastern states, devotees across India observe Chhath. Even if a river-front isn’t available, a pond or large clean container can serve. The key is the intention and ritual purity.

Q2. What if I cannot fast full day on Kharna day?
Ideally the full fast (nirjala) is observed. But if health or circumstances prevent it, observe partial fast, maintain purity of mind and avoid food after sunset until arghya. The devotion matters.

Useful Links

• DrikPanchang – October 2025 Festivals List
• AstroSage Hindu Calendar 2025 – October Festivals
•  Hindu Festivals in October 2025
• Festival & Puja Guide Archive
• Hindu Festivals 2025: Complete Calendar & Dates

Author Block

Author: Sri Vyasa Pooja Team