The Glory of Chhath Puja: A Celebration of Faith, Purity, and the Sun

Bokaro | Deepak Kumar

Once confined to Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of North India, the deep-rooted devotion to Chhath Mahaparv has now transcended regional boundaries. Today, this ancient festival of faith and purity is celebrated with equal fervour across India—and even by the Indian diaspora abroad.

A Festival of the Sun and Faith

Derived from the Sanskrit word Shashti (meaning the sixth day), Chhath is observed twice a year—once during Chaitra Shukla Paksha (known as Chaiti Chhath) and again during Kartik Shukla Paksha (Kartiki Chhath). The four-day ritual begins with Nahay-Khay, followed by Kharna or Lohanda, and concludes with the two sacred offerings—Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) and Suryodaya Arghya (sunrise offering).

Worshippers use sugarcane, fruits, bamboo baskets, and winnowing fans during the puja. Devotees believe Chhathi Maiya, the sister of Lord Surya, blesses those who worship both her and the Sun God with health, prosperity, and happiness.

Ancient Roots in Mythology

The origins of Chhath stretch back to ancient times and are rooted in Hindu epics. According to legends:

• Sita’s Chhath in Munger: Goddess Sita first performed the Chhath Puja on the banks of the Ganges in Munger during her exile with Lord Rama, marking the festival’s beginning.

• Draupadi’s Devotion: In the Mahabharata, Draupadi observed the fast to ensure peace and the return of the Pandavas’ lost kingdom.

• King Shamba’s Vow: King Shamba, the grandson of Lord Krishna, is said to have performed the first Chhath Puja in Baragaon, Nalanda, initiating a 49-day observance tradition.

• Karna’s Worship: Karna, the son of the Sun God, was also a devout worshipper of Surya, linking his reverence directly to the Chhath tradition.

These stories underscore the festival’s ancient lineage and divine association with the Sun.

A Symbol of Unity and Equality

Beyond its spiritual depth, Chhath embodies social harmony. It is one of the few festivals where caste, class, and religion dissolve into collective devotion. On the ghats, all devotees—rich or poor—stand equal before the Sun, offering prasad prepared on clay stoves and served in bamboo baskets.

The festival also emphasises purity, discipline, and gratitude. Any lapse in ritual is believed to require immediate repentance—a testament to the seriousness with which devotees approach this sacred observance.

At its heart, Chhath Mahaparv is not merely a ritual—it is a celebration of life, light, and the enduring human bond with nature’s most vital force: the Sun.