By Manisha Sahu | America News World | Updated October 25, 2025
As the lights of Diwali fade across India, the air in eastern states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal fills with devotion once again. From October 25 to October 28, 2025, millions of Hindu devotees will celebrate Chhath Puja, an ancient Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God (Lord Surya) and his sister Chhathi Maiya.
The festival, observed with extraordinary discipline and reverence, honors the life-giving power of the sun, symbolizing purity, gratitude, and renewal. It is one of the most eco-friendly religious observances in the world—performed on riverbanks without idols, decorations, or extravagant rituals.
Prefer the link below to feel this beautiful culture of eastern states of India. ⬇️
https://youtube.com/shorts/qFwoGr1ex_g?si=U4cgWuMkYRAOq8Fp
The Meaning Behind Chhath Puja
The word Chhath means “sixth,” referring to the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which falls six days after Diwali. On this day, devotees offer Arghya—a ritualistic offering of water and prayers—to the setting and rising sun.
Unlike most other Hindu festivals that revolve around mythological tales, Chhath Puja is directly linked to nature worship. It celebrates Lord Surya, the universal source of energy and light, acknowledging his vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Devotees believe that worshipping the Sun brings health, prosperity, and longevity, and purifies both body and soul.
The festival also venerates Chhathi Maiya, believed to be the goddess who protects children and grants fertility and well-being to families. Her worship underscores the festival’s themes of gratitude, renewal, and family unity.
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Chhath Puja 2025: Dates and Timings
According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja 2025 will begin on Saturday, October 25, and conclude on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The most significant rituals will occur on the third and fourth days—Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) and Usha Arghya (morning offerings).
Tithi Date & Time (IST)
Shashthi Tithi Begins 6:04 AM on Oct 27 2025
Shashthi Tithi Ends 7:59 AM on Oct 28 2025
Sunrise on Chhath Day 6:30 AM
Sunset on Chhath Day 5:40 PM
These timings mark when devotees gather at ghats (riverbanks) to offer their prayers. Every step is synchronized with the sun’s movement, symbolizing humanity’s ancient connection with cosmic rhythms.
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Four Sacred Days of Chhath Puja
The observance of Chhath Puja extends over four consecutive days, each carrying deep symbolic importance.
Day 1: Nahaye Khaye — The Day of Purification (October 25, 2025)
The rituals begin with Nahaye Khaye, literally meaning “bathe and eat.” Devotees take a holy dip in rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, or Kosi to purify body and mind. A simple vegetarian meal, cooked in new utensils and without onion or garlic, marks the start of the festival.
This meal represents spiritual cleansing and self-discipline, preparing the devotee for the upcoming fast.
Day 2: Kharna — The Day of Fasting (October 26, 2025)
On the second day, devotees observe a Nirjala Vrat, abstaining from both food and water throughout the day. As the sun sets, they offer prayers and break the fast with a humble meal known as Prasad of Kharna—made from rice, jaggery, milk, and bananas.
Families and neighbors often share this meal, spreading joy and unity. The ritual symbolizes self-control and gratitude for the sun’s nourishment.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — Offering to the Setting Sun (October 27, 2025)
The third day marks the most spectacular scene of the festival. As dusk approaches, families gather along rivers, ponds, and lakes, carrying baskets of fruits, sugarcane, and Thekua—a traditional sweet made of wheat and jaggery.
Women, dressed in bright saris, wade into the water to offer Arghya to the setting sun. The atmosphere resonates with devotional songs and chants, creating a mesmerizing blend of faith, music, and nature.
This ritual expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life and symbolizes the cycle of endings and new beginnings.
Day 4: Usha Arghya — Offering to the Rising Sun (October 28, 2025)
The final morning, known as Usha Arghya, is dedicated to welcoming the rising sun. Devotees once again stand in water, praying for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of their families. After offering Arghya, they break their 36-hour fast with Prasad and fresh fruits.
This culmination represents rebirth, purification, and the harmony between nature and human life.
—
The Spiritual and Social Significance
Chhath Puja stands out among Hindu rituals for its simplicity and environmental consciousness. There are no idols or elaborate decorations; offerings are biodegradable, and the focus remains on purity, devotion, and gratitude.
From a spiritual perspective, devotees believe that sun worship cleanses negative energy and helps achieve mental clarity. Modern scholars also note that the ritual fasting and early-morning sunlight exposure may have positive health benefits, including detoxification and vitamin D absorption.
Socially, the festival fosters equality and community bonding. People from all backgrounds—rich or poor—come together at the same ghats, sharing food and prayers. Migrant workers often travel hundreds of miles to be home for the celebration, turning Chhath into a powerful symbol of family reunion.
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Regional and Global Observance
While Chhath Puja has deep roots in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it has now transcended regional boundaries. In Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other metropolitan cities, temporary ponds are built for devotees who cannot access natural rivers.
The festival is also gaining global recognition. Indian diaspora communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East organize collective celebrations, often along local lakes or beaches. For many immigrants, Chhath Puja serves as a nostalgic link to their homeland and a reminder of India’s timeless traditions.
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Chhath Puja in Modern Times
Despite modernization, the essence of Chhath Puja remains unchanged. Social media platforms now broadcast live rituals, connecting millions virtually. Cities such as Patna and Varanasi have taken steps to ensure cleaner ghats, improved lighting, and safety for women devotees.
Environmentalists appreciate the festival’s sustainable approach—no plastic use, no artificial colors, and offerings made from natural ingredients. The discipline required during the fast also reflects mindfulness, echoing modern wellness philosophies.
—
Scientific Perspectives and Cultural Harmony
Scientists and historians often interpret Chhath as a ritual based on ancient solar science. Offering water to the sun at specific angles is said to improve energy absorption and stimulate the body’s bioelectric balance. Regardless of faith, it highlights how early civilizations intuitively understood the sun’s importance for health and survival.
Chhath Puja also promotes inter-religious harmony. In many regions, people of different faiths assist their Hindu neighbors during preparations, reinforcing India’s cultural diversity and collective spirit.
—
Conclusion
Chhath Puja 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a living testimony to India’s reverence for nature, discipline, and gratitude. Over four days, millions will stand barefoot at dawn and dusk, facing the same rising and setting sun that unites humanity across borders.
For global readers, Chhath Puja offers a profound lesson: in an age of technological distraction, connecting with nature, practicing restraint, and expressing gratitude remain timeless paths to harmony.
As devotees chant hymns to Lord Surya this October, the golden rays of the sun will once again reflect off the rivers of India—reminding the world that faith, simplicity, and thankfulness still light the human spirit.
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Keywords: Chhath Puja 2025 date and time, Lord Surya worship, Hindu festival October 2025, Bihar Chhath rituals, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, Chhathi Maiya, significance of Chhath Puja, eco-friendly Hindu festivals, America News World.
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The Meaning Behind Chhath Puja
The word Chhath means “sixth,” referring to the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which falls six days after Diwali. On this day, devotees offer Arghya—a ritualistic offering of water and prayers—to the setting and rising sun.
Unlike most other Hindu festivals that revolve around mythological tales, Chhath Puja is directly linked to nature worship. It celebrates Lord Surya, the universal source of energy and light, acknowledging his vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Devotees believe that worshipping the Sun brings health, prosperity, and longevity, and purifies both body and soul.
The festival also venerates Chhathi Maiya, believed to be the goddess who protects children and grants fertility and well-being to families. Her worship underscores the festival’s themes of gratitude, renewal, and family unity.
Chhath Puja 2025: Dates and Timings
According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja 2025 will begin on Saturday, October 25, and conclude on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The most significant rituals will occur on the third and fourth days—Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) and Usha Arghya (morning offerings).
Tithi Date & Time (IST)
Shashthi Tithi Begins 6:04 AM on Oct 27 2025
Shashthi Tithi Ends 7:59 AM on Oct 28 2025
Sunrise on Chhath Day 6:30 AM
Sunset on Chhath Day 5:40 PM
These timings mark when devotees gather at ghats (riverbanks) to offer their prayers. Every step is synchronized with the sun’s movement, symbolizing humanity’s ancient connection with cosmic rhythms.
Four Sacred Days of Chhath Puja
The observance of Chhath Puja extends over four consecutive days, each carrying deep symbolic importance.
Day 1: Nahaye Khaye — The Day of Purification (October 25, 2025)
The rituals begin with Nahaye Khaye, literally meaning “bathe and eat.” Devotees take a holy dip in rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, or Kosi to purify body and mind. A simple vegetarian meal, cooked in new utensils and without onion or garlic, marks the start of the festival.
This meal represents spiritual cleansing and self-discipline, preparing the devotee for the upcoming fast.
Day 2: Kharna — The Day of Fasting (October 26, 2025)
On the second day, devotees observe a Nirjala Vrat, abstaining from both food and water throughout the day. As the sun sets, they offer prayers and break the fast with a humble meal known as Prasad of Kharna—made from rice, jaggery, milk, and bananas.
Families and neighbors often share this meal, spreading joy and unity. The ritual symbolizes self-control and gratitude for the sun’s nourishment.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — Offering to the Setting Sun (October 27, 2025)
The third day marks the most spectacular scene of the festival. As dusk approaches, families gather along rivers, ponds, and lakes, carrying baskets of fruits, sugarcane, and Thekua—a traditional sweet made of wheat and jaggery.
Women, dressed in bright saris, wade into the water to offer Arghya to the setting sun. The atmosphere resonates with devotional songs and chants, creating a mesmerizing blend of faith, music, and nature.
This ritual expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life and symbolizes the cycle of endings and new beginnings.
Day 4: Usha Arghya — Offering to the Rising Sun (October 28, 2025)
The final morning, known as Usha Arghya, is dedicated to welcoming the rising sun. Devotees once again stand in water, praying for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of their families. After offering Arghya, they break their 36-hour fast with Prasad and fresh fruits.
This culmination represents rebirth, purification, and the harmony between nature and human life.
The Spiritual and Social Significance
Chhath Puja stands out among Hindu rituals for its simplicity and environmental consciousness. There are no idols or elaborate decorations; offerings are biodegradable, and the focus remains on purity, devotion, and gratitude.
From a spiritual perspective, devotees believe that sun worship cleanses negative energy and helps achieve mental clarity. Modern scholars also note that the ritual fasting and early-morning sunlight exposure may have positive health benefits, including detoxification and vitamin D absorption.
Socially, the festival fosters equality and community bonding. People from all backgrounds—rich or poor—come together at the same ghats, sharing food and prayers. Migrant workers often travel hundreds of miles to be home for the celebration, turning Chhath into a powerful symbol of family reunion.
Regional and Global Observance
While Chhath Puja has deep roots in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it has now transcended regional boundaries. In Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other metropolitan cities, temporary ponds are built for devotees who cannot access natural rivers.
The festival is also gaining global recognition. Indian diaspora communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East organize collective celebrations, often along local lakes or beaches. For many immigrants, Chhath Puja serves as a nostalgic link to their homeland and a reminder of India’s timeless traditions.
Chhath Puja in Modern Times
Despite modernization, the essence of Chhath Puja remains unchanged. Social media platforms now broadcast live rituals, connecting millions virtually. Cities such as Patna and Varanasi have taken steps to ensure cleaner ghats, improved lighting, and safety for women devotees.
Environmentalists appreciate the festival’s sustainable approach—no plastic use, no artificial colors, and offerings made from natural ingredients. The discipline required during the fast also reflects mindfulness, echoing modern wellness philosophies.
Scientific Perspectives and Cultural Harmony
Scientists and historians often interpret Chhath as a ritual based on ancient solar science. Offering water to the sun at specific angles is said to improve energy absorption and stimulate the body’s bioelectric balance. Regardless of faith, it highlights how early civilizations intuitively understood the sun’s importance for health and survival.
Chhath Puja also promotes inter-religious harmony. In many regions, people of different faiths assist their Hindu neighbors during preparations, reinforcing India’s cultural diversity and collective spirit.
Chhath Puja 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a living testimony to India’s reverence for nature, discipline, and gratitude. Over four days, millions will stand barefoot at dawn and dusk, facing the same rising and setting sun that unites humanity across borders.
For global readers, Chhath Puja offers a profound lesson: in an age of technological distraction, connecting with nature, practicing restraint, and expressing gratitude remain timeless paths to harmony.
As devotees chant hymns to Lord Surya this October, the golden rays of the sun will once again reflect off the rivers of India—reminding the world that faith, simplicity, and thankfulness still light the human spirit.