Chhath Puja is one of the most rigorous and revered festivals in Hindu tradition — a four-day celebration dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Predominantly observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and increasingly by diaspora communities worldwide, Chhath is unique for honoring both the setting and rising sun, and for its demanding rituals performed while standing in water.
When is Chhath Puja
Six days after Diwali
Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day of the Kartik month, in the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) — typically in late October or November. The festival spans four consecutive days, each with its own distinct ritual.
The Four Days of Chhath
Day 1 — Nahay Khay
Devotees take a holy bath (often in a river) and prepare a simple, sattvic meal — typically rice, chana dal, and lauki (bottle gourd) sabzi. This marks the beginning of the fast and purification.
Day 2 — Kharna
A day-long fast (without water) that ends in the evening with kheer (rice pudding made with jaggery) and roti. After eating, devotees begin a rigorous 36-hour fast without food or water.
Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya
The most significant day. In the evening, the whole family gathers at a riverbank or pond. Offerings (arghya) of water and milk are made to the setting sun. Prasad — including the iconic thekua (a wheat-based sweet) — is prepared and offered in bamboo baskets (daura).
Day 4 — Usha Arghya
Before sunrise, devotees return to the same water body to offer arghya to the rising sun, completing the cycle of worshipping the sun in both its setting and rising forms. After this, the 36-hour fast is broken, concluding the festival.
Chhath Puja Samagri List
Thekua Recipe — A Festival Essential
Ingredients:
Wheat flour, jaggery (melted), ghee, grated coconut (optional), fennel seeds, oil for frying
Method:
Mix wheat flour with melted jaggery, ghee, fennel seeds, and grated coconut into a firm dough. Shape into small flattened discs, often pressed with traditional wooden molds for a textured pattern. Deep fry on low heat until golden brown and crisp — thekua keeps well for days, making it ideal for festival prasad and gifting.
The Spiritual Significance
Unlike most Hindu rituals which take place in temples, Chhath is performed entirely in open spaces — riverbanks, ponds, or even improvised water tanks in urban settings. The act of standing in water while offering arghya symbolizes humility and direct connection with nature. Worshipping the setting sun (a practice unique to Chhath) represents acceptance of all phases of life — light and darkness, beginning and ending — and gratitude for the sun's life-giving energy regardless of its position in the sky.
Celebrating Chhath Away From Home
- Many cities now have organized Chhath ghats with temporary water tanks for families without access to a river
- Diaspora communities in the US, UK, and Gulf countries organize community Chhath events at local parks or community centers
- Thekua and other prasad ingredients are increasingly available at South Asian grocery stores abroad
- Even a small balcony setup with a tub of water can allow families to observe the arghya rituals when larger gatherings aren't possible
💡 Family tradition tip
Chhath is often observed by the women of a family for the wellbeing of their children — but the entire family participates in preparation and support. Document who in your family observes the vrat, the songs sung during the rituals, and your family's specific thekua recipe — these traditions are deeply personal and vary even between neighbouring families.
Celebrating the festive season? See our Diwali puja guide and Govardhan Puja guide.