As the autumn sun dips low across the Gangetic plains, the air fills with devotional songs, the fragrance of incense, and the golden glow of thousands of earthen lamps flickering along riverbanks. Women draped in bright saris stand knee-deep in the water, holding bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, and the traditional thekua in folded hands. This serene yet powerful image captures the spirit of Chhath Puja-a festival that celebrates life, gratitude, and the eternal bond between humankind and nature.
An Ancient Tradition Rooted in Vedic Reverence
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and most spiritual festivals known to Indian civilization, with references tracing back to the Vedic era. In the Rigveda, Surya, the Sun God, is revered as the eternal source of light, energy, and vitality. The hymns invoke Surya for well-being, longevity, and prosperity-sentiments that continue to echo through the rituals of Chhath even today.
Unlike most Hindu festivals that revolve around mythological deities, Chhath worships Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (believed to be the sister or manifestation of Surya, often identified with Usha, the goddess of dawn). This makes it unique in its focus on elemental divinity rather than anthropomorphic gods.
Mythological Narratives
Several legends are woven around Chhath Puja, adding depth and meaning to its rituals. One of the most widely accepted stories links the festival to Karna, the valiant warrior from the Mahabharata, who was the son of Surya and Kunti. It is said that Karna would offer daily prayers to the Sun while standing in the river, seeking strength and righteousness.
Another popular legend attributes the festival to Draupadi and the Pandavas, who observed Chhath Puja on the advice of sages to overcome obstacles and regain their lost kingdom. In the Ramayana, Sita Mata is believed to have performed Chhath Puja after returning to Ayodhya from exile, expressing gratitude to Surya Dev for guiding and protecting her family.
Through these stories, Chhath transcends regional and religious lines-it becomes a cosmic celebration of resilience, virtue, and gratitude.
The Four Sacred Days of Chhath Puja
The festival unfolds over four days of intense fasting, purity, and devotion, each carrying symbolic meaning and spiritual discipline.
Day 1 – Nahay Khay: The Ritual of Cleansing
The observance begins with Nahay Khay, a day of purification. Devotees take a dip in sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Kosi, or local ponds, symbolizing cleansing of the body and soul. The first meal of the ritual is prepared with utmost sanctity-often lauki-bhaat (bottle gourd and rice cooked in ghee)-and is consumed after offering it to the Sun. This act sets the tone for the days of austerity ahead, emphasizing self-control and purity.
Day 2 – Kharna: Fasting and Inner Strength
Kharna represents complete surrender and devotion. Devotees abstain from food and water throughout the day, breaking their fast in the evening after offering gur ki kheer (sweet porridge made from jaggery, milk, and rice), chapati, and fruits to the setting sun. The meal is shared with family and neighbors, symbolizing communal harmony. After this, a 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without water) begins-an extraordinary test of willpower and faith.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya:
Offering to the Setting Sun
This is the most visually enchanting day of Chhath Puja. As dusk paints the sky in hues of orange and crimson, devotees gather at water bodies to offer arghya (water offerings) to the setting sun. They hold bamboo baskets filled with thekua, bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane-symbols of nature’s bounty. Folk songs dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya fill the air, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
The act of offering to the setting sun is symbolic of humility and gratitude. It teaches that one must revere not only the rising but also the fading phases of life-honoring both triumph and decline as divine manifestations.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya: Prayer to the Rising Sun
Before dawn, devotees return to the ghats to offer prayers to the rising sun-Usha Arghya. This marks the conclusion of Chhath Puja and symbolizes renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. After the offering, the fast is broken, and prasad-especially thekua and fruits-is distributed as a token of divine blessing.
The Symbolism of Offerings
Every item used in Chhath Puja holds a deeper spiritual or ecological significance:
– Thekua: Made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, it represents self-reliance and the agrarian essence of rural India.
– Sugarcane: A symbol of vitality, fertility, and prosperity.
– Coconut: Signifies purity and the continuity of life.
– Bananas and fruits: Offerings of gratitude to the earth for her abundance.
– Water and light: The two central elements of the ritual embody the life-giving and illuminating forces of nature.
These offerings are prepared using natural ingredients, keeping the festival free from artificiality and environmental harm-an aspect that aligns Chhath with sustainable living.
Chhathi Maiya: The Divine Feminine Energy
Devotees believe that Chhathi Maiya, the goddess worshipped alongside the Sun, embodies Shashthi Devi, the protector of children and granter of offspring. She is revered as a maternal figure who blesses families with health, prosperity, and happiness. The songs sung during Chhath are often directed to Chhathi Maiya, filled with emotion, gratitude, and maternal devotion-carrying echoes of women’s collective faith across generations.
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