Chhath Puja 2025 begins on October 25 and ends on October 28. Know the rituals, history, significance, and timings of this ancient Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God.
What is Chhath Puja?
TheInterviewTimes.com | October 25, 2025 | New Delhi— Chhath Puja is a major Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (the sixth form of Devi Prakriti or Usha, the wife of Surya).
The festival expresses gratitude for life, health, and prosperity, celebrating the vital role of the sun in sustaining life on Earth. It stands out as one of India’s most eco-friendly festivals, emphasizing purity, abstinence, and natural harmony.
Devotees use biodegradable offerings and avoid synthetic materials, symbolizing reverence toward nature.
The word “Chhath” comes from the Sanskrit “Shashti,” meaning “sixth,” as the main rituals fall on the sixth day of the Kartika month in the Hindu lunar calendar (October–November).
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History and Significance of Chhath Puja
The roots of Chhath Puja lie in ancient Vedic traditions, possibly predating the Rigveda, where hymns were composed in honour of the Sun God. It is said that during the Mahabharata, Draupadi performed the ritual to seek divine help during the Pandavas’ exile. Another legend narrates that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed Chhath Puja after returning to Ayodhya to express gratitude for their kingdom’s prosperity.
The festival is celebrated twice a year — Chaiti Chhath in March–April and Kartik Chhath in October–November, the latter being more prominent. It promotes spiritual cleansing, family well-being, and community unity, transcending caste and social barriers. Devotees believe the rituals help ward off illness and ensure the longevity and prosperity of loved ones.
When and Where Chhath Puja 2025 Is Celebrated
Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Nepal. In recent years, it has gained popularity among the Indian diaspora in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, and Japan.
In 2025, the four-day Kartik Chhath Puja begins today, October 25, and concludes on October 28, exactly six days after Diwali.
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Chhath Puja 2025 Calendar and Ritual Timings (Delhi Region)
| Day | Date (2025) | Name | Key Rituals & Timings |
| 1 | October 25 (Saturday) | Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat) | Holy bath in rivers or with Ganga Jal for purification. Devotees eat a single sattvic meal of rice, lentils, and bottle gourd curry. Sunrise: 6:28 AM; Sunset: 5:42 PM. |
| 2 | October 26 (Sunday) | Kharna or Lohanda | Observed with a waterless fast from sunrise to sunset, followed by an offering of rice pudding (kheer) and fruits. Sunrise: 6:29 AM; Sunset: 5:41 PM. |
| 3 | October 27 (Monday) | Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering) | Full-day fast; devotees offer arghya (water mixed with milk and fruits) to the setting sun at riverbanks. Sunset: 5:40 PM. |
| 4 | October 28 (Tuesday) | Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) | Pre-dawn arghya to the rising sun, followed by breaking of the fast (parana) with prasad. Sunrise: 6:30 AM. |
Rituals and Traditions
The four-day observance involves rigorous fasting (vrata), standing waist-deep in water while offering prayers, and preparing prasad made entirely from natural, vegetarian ingredients. Common offerings include:
- Thekua – a traditional jaggery-sweetened wheat snack
- Sugarcane, fruits, and coconuts arranged in bamboo baskets (dhibbi)
- Earthen diyas lit along riverbanks during Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya
Homes are cleaned thoroughly, symbolizing purity. Devotees wear new or freshly washed clothes, abstain from non-vegetarian food, and maintain celibacy during the puja period.
Chhath Geet, folk songs praising Surya and Chhathi Maiya, echo across riverbanks and rooftops, infusing devotion into the air.
The festival’s rituals emphasize equality, as both men and women participate equally in fasting and worship. Many devotees even undertake a prostration march (dandvat pranam) to reach riverbanks, reflecting deep devotion and humility.
Environmental and Cultural Essence
Chhath Puja stands as a model for eco-conscious celebration. The use of natural ingredients, clay diyas, bamboo baskets, and organic offerings embodies India’s age-old philosophy of “living in harmony with nature.” Communities come together to clean rivers, ponds, and ghats — a reflection of both devotion and environmental stewardship.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja 2025 is more than a religious festival — it is a celebration of purity, gratitude, and sustainability. As devotees across India and the world gather to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun, the festival reaffirms timeless values of faith, family unity, and ecological balance.