Chhath Puja 2024 begins today with Nahay Khay ritual: All you need to know

Chhath Puja 2024 Date and Time

Chhath Puja 2024 begins today, November 5, 2024, with the Nahay Khay ritual, marking the first day of this deeply revered four-day festival. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, Chhath Puja is celebrated with immense devotion across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions. Devotees believe that worshipping the Sun God brings prosperity, health, and happiness.

On this first day, devotees start the ritual by bathing in sacred rivers or water bodies, symbolizing spiritual purification. They prepare a simple, sattvic vegetarian meal, typically made with rice, pumpkin curry (kaddu bhat), and lentils (dal). This meal is considered sacred, marking the beginning of a phase of purity and abstinence. The focus on clean eating and purity during Nahay Khay is a commitment to spiritual discipline.

The second day, known as Kharna, is a day of fasting and self-purification. Devotees observe a day-long fast without consuming even water. In the evening, they prepare a special meal to break the fast, which usually includes kheer (a sweet rice pudding made with jaggery and rice), chapati (wheat bread), and bananas. The food prepared for Kharna is offered to Chhathi Maiya as prasad (sacred offering) before being consumed by the devotees. The strict fasting symbolizes devotion and detachment from worldly pleasures, bringing the devotee closer to a state of spiritual clarity.

Sandhya Arghya, observed on the third day, is the most significant ritual of Chhath Puja. Devotees continue fasting throughout the day without water and, by sunset, gather near rivers, ponds, or other water bodies to offer arghya (prayers) to the setting sun. The atmosphere is filled with chanting and folk songs dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The women wear traditional sarees, often in vibrant colors, and the offerings include seasonal fruits, sugarcane, thekua (a homemade sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery), and other delicacies placed in bamboo baskets. The arghya is performed with the utmost respect, as it is believed to bring blessings for family prosperity, health, and longevity.

The final day of Chhath Puja, Bihaniya Arghya, begins early in the morning. Devotees gather before dawn at the banks of rivers or ponds to offer their prayers to the rising sun, symbolizing gratitude for new beginnings, hope, and vitality. The morning sun, considered a source of energy and life, is worshipped as devotees thank Surya Dev for his light and blessings. After the Bihaniya Arghya, the devotees break their fast, concluding the Chhath Puja. Families and friends share the prasad and celebrate the successful completion of this rigorous yet deeply rewarding festival.

Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and most eco-conscious festivals in India, rooted in Vedic tradition. Each ritual is symbolic, from spiritual cleansing on Nahay Khay to the gratitude-filled offerings of Sandhya Arghya and Bihaniya Arghya. Celebrated with strict discipline, this festival reinforces the connection between humans and nature, as devotees give thanks to the Sun God, who sustains life on Earth.