As autumn ends and winter begins to whisper in the fields of Bihar, an air of spirituality fills this land. The ghats along the Ganga sparkle with lights, songs fill the evening air, and devotees dressed in traditional attire prepare for one of India’s most ancient and revered festivals – Chhath Puja. In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from October 26 to October 29, four days of intense devotion, piety and thanksgiving to Surya Dev (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya.
Essence of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is not just a festival; It is a spiritual journey based on faith, discipline and gratitude. Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, this festival honors the Sun God, the giver of energy and life. Devotees express thanks for sustaining life on earth and seek blessings for health, prosperity and well-being.
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Unlike other festivals filled with grandeur, Chhath Puja stands out for its austerity, purity and simplicity. No idols, no loud celebrations – only devotion and natural elements like water, incense, fruits and the human spirit.
Four holy days of Chhath Puja 2025
Day 1 – Nahay Khay (October 26, 2025)
The first day symbolizes purification of body and soul. Devotees often take a holy dip in the Ganges or other holy rivers, and prepare a simple meal of rice, pumpkin and gram dal cooked in pure ghee. This meal ritual marks the beginning of the fast.
Day 2 – Kharna (October 27, 2025)
On this day, devotees observe fast without water for the whole day and break it only after sunset. The meal, known as Kharna Prasad, includes jaggery kheer and roti, which is shared among the family and neighbours, symbolizing harmony and purity.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering) (October 28, 2025)
This is the most attractive part of the festival. Women dressed in bright sarees, carrying bamboo baskets filled with fruits and thekua (a traditional sweet), go to the river bank to make arghya (offering) to the setting sun. The sight of thousands of lamps floating on the river creates a mesmerizing scene of devotion.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) (October 29, 2025)
Before sunrise, devotees return to the river bank to offer arghya to the rising sun, symbolizing new beginnings and the eternal cycle of life. The festival ends with sharing of blessings among families and communities.
spiritual significance
Chhath Puja is mentioned in ancient texts like Rigveda and Mahabharata. It is believed that Kunti, the mother of Pandavas, performed the Chhath ritual to seek divine blessings. Sun worship is also associated with nature worship and the acceptance of solar energy as a source of life and power.
The festival also conveys the message of ecological harmony, emphasizing respect for the natural elements that sustain human existence – water, sunlight and earth.
Cultural splendor and community spirit
Bihar comes alive during Chhath Puja. From the Ganga ghats of Patna to small village ponds, every corner echoes with devotional songs, folk music and the aroma of traditional sweets like thekua and kasar. The sense of unity is palpable – as people come together in reverence, caste, class and religion are left behind.
For many Biharis living outside the state or abroad, Chhath Puja is more than a ritual – it is an emotional connection to their roots, a reminder of home and heritage.
May the lights of Chhath Puja 2025 illuminate life with peace, prosperity and divine blessings.