Chhath Puja Celebrations honors Chhathi Maiya, Lord Surya’s sister and the sixth form of Devi Prakriti. It’s a vibrant celebration, particularly in northern India—Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees revere Surya Dev, the Sun God, over four days. Women fasting during Chhath Puja celebrations abstain from food and water. The festival highlights worship of the setting Sun through the ritual of offering Arghya at a Ghat Puja.
Across these four days, each holds specific rituals—Nahaye Khaye, Lohanda, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya offering prayers to the setting sun, and Usha Arghya to the rising sun.
Sandhya Arghya involves morning preparations for an evening ritual or the Ghat Puja. At sunset, devotees gather at rivers or ponds, offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to Surya Dev for blessings for the Ghat Puja ritual. This year, according to the Chhath Puja full details, it starts on November 17 (Friday) and lasts till November 20, also known as Surya Shashthi, Prathihar, Chhathi, and Dala Chhath.
Drik Panchang notes the timings for the Chhath Puja celebrations ritual. Nahay Khay, the first day, begins with sunrise at 06:45 am and sunset at 17:27 pm. The second day’s sunrise is at 06:46 am with sunset at 17:26 pm. On the third day, sunrise and sunset occur at 06:46 am and 17:26 pm respectively. The final day, Usha Arghya involves offering prayers to the rising sun. Sunrise is at 06:47 am and sunset at 17:26 pm according to Drik Panchang.
Sunset Timings In Different Cities For Arghya
- Delhi: 05:27 pm
- Mumbai: 06:00 pm
- Patna: 5:00 pm
- Gaya: 05:02 pm
- Jaipur: 05:36 pm
- Bhagalpur: 04:54 pm
- Noida: 05:26 pm
- Darbhanga: 04:56 pm
- Bengaluru: 05:50 pm
- Bhopal: 05:35 pm
- Raipur: 05:29 pm
- Samastipur: 04:57 pm
- Aurangabad: 05:49 pm
- Hyderabad: 05:40 pm
- Chennai: 05:39 pm
- Kolkata: 05:00 pm
- Lucknow: 04:52 pm
- Chandigarh: 05:25 pm
- Bhubaneswar: 05:06 pm
- Shimla: 05:22 pm
- Dehradun: 05:20 pm
- Ranchi: 05:03 pm
- Pune: 05:57 pm
Chhath Puja celebration, with its vibrant rituals honoring the Sun God, symbolizes reverence and devotion. As devotees gather in northern India, the festival becomes a beautiful testament to tradition and spiritual significance. The offerings to the rising and setting sun during these four days capture a deep-rooted cultural celebration, fostering unity and blessings for all involved. The unknown fact about the Chhath Puja celebration is that it not only commemorates ancient customs but also ignites a sense of communal harmony and gratitude towards nature’s elements, leaving a profound mark on those who partake in its observance.