Everything You Need to Know About Chhath Puja 2025

Chhath Puja is one of the most unique and spiritually uplifting festivals in India. This festival is unlike any other, as it is not limited to just lights or decorations; it is about discipline, devotion, and connecting with nature. During this popular Indian festival, families gather to prepare traditional offerings, including fruits, thekua, and rice-based dishes, while communities sing folk songs, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

But do you know what makes Chhath Puja truly special? It’s the way this festival blends spirituality with cultural traditions, emphasising gratitude, purity, and eco-friendly practices. Whether you are witnessing it for the first time or participating in rituals at home, the devotion, energy, and sense of togetherness are surely unforgettable. If you are looking for a complete guide on Chhath Puja, your search ends here! In this blog, we’ve covered all the important details that you need to know about Chhath Puja 2025.

Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred festivals in India, which is celebrated with immense devotion and discipline. The significance of Chhath puja lies in its dedication to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, seeking their blessing for prosperity, health, and well-being. All the devotees observe strict rituals such as holy bathing, fasting, and offering prayers while standing on riverbanks or water bodies at sunrise and sunset. Beyond spiritual devotion, the festival fosters community participation, family bonding, and respect for nature. Its essence reflects gratitude towards the Sun for sustaining life on Earth. Understanding the importance of Chhath Puja helps appreciate why it continues to be a cherished tradition across generations.

Why Is Chhath Celebrated?

You must be wondering, “Why is Chhath celebrated?” The origin of Chhath Puja is rooted in Hindu mythology, emphasising gratitude towards the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Devotees believe that observing the rituals of Chhath Puja with sincerity brings good health, prosperity, and happiness. Moreover, the festival also signifies environmental consciousness, as it encourages clean rivers and eco-friendly practices while performing rituals on the riverbanks or near water bodies.

Chhath Puja 2025 Date

Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Kartik, following Diwali. This year, the Chhath Puja 2025 date falls on October 25 to October 28. This festival spans four days, starting with Nahay-Khay, followed by Lohanda and Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and concluding with Usha Arghya. Each day carries its own unique rituals, fasting, and offerings, making it a deeply spiritual occasion.

Chhath Puja Celebration in India

Chhath Puja celebration in India is particularly grand in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. There are several cities, including Patna, Ranchi, Varanasi, and Gaya, where one can witness millions of devotees offering prayers to the Sun God at ponds, riverbanks, and lakes. This festival is marked by collective prayers, singing folk songs, and preparing traditional offerings made from seasonal grains and fruits.

People across India, including metropolitan cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi, join in the festivities, recreating the riverbank rituals in community spaces or homes. The essence of the celebration remains the same—gratitude, discipline, and devotion.

Best Places to Celebrate Chhath Puja in India

If you want to witness the festival in its full magnificence, then here are some of the best places to celebrate Chhath Puja in India:

• Patna, Bihar: Patna is one of the best places to celebrate the festival of Chhath. During this festival, the banks of the Ganga come alive with thousands of devotees offering prayers, which makes it one of the most iconic celebrations.
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi is popular because of its spiritual ambience, and during Chhath Puja on the ghats of the Ganga in Varanasi is a sight to behold. Thus, you can consider visiting Varanasi during Chhath Puja.
• Gaya, Bihar: This city is known for its religious importance and organised celebrations. Every year, Gaya captivates thousands of devotees from across the country during the festival of Chhath.
• Ranchi, Jharkhand: Another must-visit place to celebrate Chhath Puja is Ranchi. Here, the festival combines traditional rituals with cultural programs, which makes it visually spectacular.
• Kolkata, West Bengal: In Kolkata, this festival is not a tradition, but it has gained popularity with community gatherings along the rivers and lakes. So, for a unique experience, you can consider visiting Kolkata to celebrate Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja Fasting Rules

One of the most important aspects of Chhath Puja is the strict fasting observed by devotees. Also known as “Vrat”, the fast is allowed with discipline and devotion. Here are some of the key Chhath Puja fasting rules that you should be aware of:

• During this Chhath Puja fast, all the devotees abstain from consuming food and water during the day as it is a practice called “Nirjala Vrat.”
• Special foods such as thekua, fruits, and milk-based products are prepared for consumption after sunset or the final Arghya.
• During the fast, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with health concerns are allowed to make modifications as per traditional guidelines or medical advice.
• It is customary to maintain purity in body and mind, avoiding negative thoughts and indulgence in non-spiritual activities.

Traditional Offerings and Rituals of Chhath Puja

One of the key features of Chhath Puja is the preparation of Prasad and offerings. These generally include:

• Thekua: It is a sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, which is considered the main offering to God during the Chhath Puja.
• Fruits and Seasonal Vegetables: Apples, bananas, sugarcane, and pumpkin are commonly offered by the devotees to God.
• Rice and Milk-Based Dishes: Rice pudding and other milk preparations also hold ritual significance in Chhath Puja.
• Decorative Thalis: Every item is arranged aesthetically on banana leaves or decorated plates to honour the Sun God.

How to Perform Chhath Puja?

In case you have no clue about how to perform Chhath Puja, don’t worry. The rituals of this puja are elaborated and performed over four days, including:

• Nahay-Khay (Day 1): On Day 1, devotees take a holy dip in rivers and prepare offerings that focus on devotion and cleanliness. Also, on this day, special dishes such as rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables are prepared.
• Lohanda/Kharna (Day 2): On Day 2, all the devotees keep a fast from sunrise to sunset and break it in the evening after performing all the important rituals. Also, several traditional offerings such as chapati, kheer, and fruits are offered to the God as well.
• Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Day 2 of this festival involves Arghya (water offering) to the settling Sun. Devotees stand in water bodies or rivers, chanting prayers and singing folk songs. The preparation includes arranging a carefully decorated Chhath Puja Thali with fruits, thekua, and diyas.
• Usha Arghya (Day 4): Day 4 is the final day, which marks offering prayers to the rising sun. After the morning, Arghya devotees break their fast. The ritual concludes with the distribution of Prasad among family members and the community.

Tips All the Devotees Must Follow During Chhath Puja

It is important to stay mindful of traditions, maintain purity, and follow essential rituals with devotion. Below are some of the simple tips to ensure a safe, spiritual, and fulfilling Chhath Puja celebration.

• If you are travelling to a famous riverbank, try to plan your Chhath Puja celebrations in advance.
• Prepare your fasting schedule and offerings a day before the festival.
• Dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather and long hours of standing in water during Arghya.
• Respect local customs and follow community guidelines for large gatherings as well.
• Encourage children to participate in instilling spiritual values and cultural understanding.

Chhath Puja DOs and DON’Ts

Observing some basic etiquette ensures that the festival is performed with the utmost sanctity. Below are some of the essential Chhath Puja DOs and DON’Ts that you must keep in mind during your fast:

DOs:

• It’s important to take a holy bath before performing any ritual to purify yourself.
• It is essential to prepare offerings (Prasad) from fresh and organic ingredients.
• Wearing traditional attire during prayers is an important part of this festival.
• It is crucial to maintain cleanliness at the place of worship.
• Observe silence and meditate while offering Arghya to the Sun.

DON’Ts:

• It is advised to avoid consuming non-vegetarian food during the Puja period.
• Try not to eat outside food while fasting.
• Refraining from engaging in arguments or negative conversations is also suggested.
• For all the rituals performed during the Chhath Puja, ensure to avoid using non-eco-friendly materials.
• If you are observing fast, do not skip any crucial step of the Chhath Puja rituals.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja is not just a festival, but a celebration of devotion, discipline, and gratitude. From the Chhath Puja date to the complex fasting rules and beautifully crafted rituals, every aspect of this festival connects devotees to nature and the divine. Whether you witness the celebrations at the iconic places to celebrate Chhath Puja or perform rituals at home, the spiritual energy of this festival is bound to leave a lasting impression.

By understanding the why behind Chhath Puja, following the DOs and DON’Ts, and learning how to perform Chhath Puja properly, devotees can experience the festival in its true essence. Gear up to embrace Chhath Puja with devotion, purity, and celebration by booking a trip to popular Chhath Puja destinations with My Flight Trip—your trusted travel agency in Delhi-NCR. We offer exciting travel offers, so don’t forget to connect with us for your next festive travel.