The ancient solar ritual that honors the sun's life-sustaining power
Beyond the vibrant festivities of Chhath Puja lies a rigorous four-day devotion. From fasting without water to offerings made at dusk and dawn, this ancient tradition connects the earthly realm to the solar deity, Surya, through profound acts of purity and ancestral continuity.
Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as several provinces in southern Nepal. The ritual cycle spans four days, beginning with the Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and concluding on Kartik Shukla Saptami. It is often observed during the month of Kartika, which falls in October or November, and is sometimes referred to as 'Surya Shashti Vrata' due to its timing on the sixth day of the lunar month.
The festival is centered on the worship of Surya, the Sun God, and his sister, Chhathi Maiya. Devotees, or parvaitin, engage in intense physical and spiritual disciplines. These include holy bathing, standing in water, and a strict fast that involves abstaining from even a single drop of water. The offerings, known as prasada, are strictly sattvic—vegetarian and prepared without onion or garlic. Iconic items include the crispy, sweet Thekua, made from wheat, jaggery, and ghee, as well as Rasabali and rice-based laddoos.
The rituals follow a precise progression. On the first day, devotees clean their surroundings and eat a final meal of bottle gourd and lentil rice to protect the mind from vengeance. The second day, known as Kharna, involves preparing offerings like kheer and roti. As the sun sets, worshippers gather at riverbanks or ponds to offer arghya to the setting sun. The cycle culminates at dawn on the final day with offerings to the rising sun, followed by the Parana rite, which marks the completion of the fast and a period of spiritual thanksgiving.
Source: Chhath
