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Chhath Puja 2024: A three-day festival of powerful traditions and devotion
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest and holiest festivals of India, in which Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. This festival is celebrated with great pomp especially in the Terai regions of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. Devotees observe fasts with great devotion and faith and celebrate Chhath Mahaparva by following strict rules. This year Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 6 to 8 November 2024, in which the rituals of each day have their own special significance. Let’s get complete information about this festival.
Historical importance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is mentioned in mythology. It is believed that during the Mahabharata period, Draupadi and the Pandavas performed the ritual of Chhath Puja in difficult times, which fulfilled their wishes. At the same time, another old story of worshiping the Sun God is also associated with the Ramayana period. When Lord Rama and Mata Sita returned to Ayodhya after their 14 years of exile, they observed Chhath Puja by offering Arghya to the Sun God. The main purpose of this Puja is to express gratitude to the life-giving energy of the Sun and Chhathi Maiya, who grants a healthy, prosperous, and happy life to the devotees.

Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja
The significance of Chhath Puja is not limited to rituals alone; it also has a deep spiritual meaning. This festival symbolizes physical and spiritual purification, in which devotees pay special attention to the purity of their thoughts and body. The vratdharis observe a strict fast for three days and practice restraint and sacrifice during this time. This festival is a kind of test of the soul, in which devotees control their mind and express their unwavering devotion towards the Lord. The purpose of Chhath Puja is not only to worship God, but also to follow the path of sadhana and self-purification.
Three-day program of Chhath Puja
First day: Nahai Khai (6 November 2024)
The first day of Chhath Puja is known as ‘Nahay Khai’. On this day, the fasting people take a bath and purify themselves and consume satvik food. Pumpkin, gram lentils, and rice are especially consumed on the day of Nahai Khai. The main purpose of this day is to purify the body and soul, so that the fasting people can participate in the puja with full heart. All the members of the house consume satvik food and the place of worship is sanctified.
Second day: Lohanda and Kharna (7 November 2024)
The second day is named ‘Lohanda’ or ‘Kharna’, which is considered a major day of devotion and penance. On this day, the fasting people observe a waterless fast for the whole day and consume roti and kheer made of jaggery as prasad at sunset. After Kharna, the fasting people observe a fast without consuming water and food for the next 36 hours. This difficult sadhana shows the endurance and devotion of the devotees. All the family members and the people of the neighborhood consume this prasad and bless the devotees.
Day Three: Sandhya Arghya (8 November 2024)
On the third day, the ritual of Sandhya Arghya is performed. Sandhya Arghya is the most important and beautiful scene of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees gather with their family and society on the banks of a river or pond. At dusk, as the sun starts setting, devotees offer arghya to the sun with prasad and basket in their hands. Sugarcane, coconut, apple, pear, lemon, and other fruits are specially offered on this day.
This ritual of Sandhya Arghya is a symbol of gratitude and respect towards the life-giving energy of the sun. This scene not only makes the devotees feel peace in their minds, but also symbolizes unity and harmony. During Sandhya Arghya, songs of Chhathi Maiya are sung and devotees worship the Sun God by standing in the water in a pond or river.
Fourth Day: Usha Arghya (9 November 2024)
Usha Arghya is the last and concluding day of Chhath Puja. On this day, the fasting people wake up early in the morning and offer arghya to the rising sun. Devotees break their fast with Usha Arghya and take prasad. Offering arghya to the rising sun is a symbol of new beginnings and hope in life. It is believed that after this puja, devotees are blessed with a healthy life, happiness, peace and prosperity.
Key Timings for Chhath Puja 2024
The timings for the major rituals of Chhath Puja for the year 2024 are as follows (may vary slightly according to location):
Sandhya Arghya (Sunset Arghya): Around 5:20 pm on 8 November 2024.
Usha Arghya (Sunrise Arghya): Around 6:30 am on 9 November 2024.
Unique and Devotional Aspects of Chhath Puja
Love for the Environment: Eco-friendly offerings and materials are used in Chhath Puja. The use of bamboo baskets, earthen lamps, and natural fruits shows respect and love for nature. This puja also gives the message of environmental conservation in our society.
Symbol of Equality: There is no discrimination of high-low, caste-religion or class in Chhath Puja. All the devotees worship the Sun God together. Chhath Puja promotes equality, unity and harmony in the society.
Observance of Strict Fast: It is very difficult to keep a waterless fast for 36 hours in Chhath Puja, which shows the stamina, restraint and faith of the devotees. Through this difficult fast, devotees demonstrate their devotion and faith.
Blessings for family and society: This festival is celebrated not only for the individual but also for the welfare of the family and society. Devotees pray for happiness, peace and prosperity for all the members of their family and society.
Devotion to Chhath Maiya: Along with the Sun God, Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped, who is considered the goddess of health and child happiness. Devotees especially seek the blessings of Chhathi Maiya for the health of their children and family.
Chhath Puja and modern society
In today’s busy life, the importance of traditions like Chhath Puja has increased even more. This festival is not only a religious festival, but in modern society it is considered a means of mental and physical purification. This festival connects us to our roots and reminds us of our duties towards nature. Special attention is given to cleanliness and health during Chhath Puja, which gives a message of awareness and positivity in the society.
Through this festival, we practice discipline, restraint and devotion, which helps in maintaining peace and balance in our lives
Conclusion:
Chhath Puja 2024 – A Three-Day Festival of Powerful Traditions and Devotion
Chhath Puja, a wonderful festival in itself, is not just a religious ritual; it is a celebration of the deep-rooted traditions of life that connect us to our ancestors. This festival teaches us how important it is to express gratitude towards nature and connect us to our family, society and culture. This year Chhath Puja not only instilled faith and devotion, but it also gave us an opportunity to recognize and express the power within ourselves.
The three-day rituals of Chhath Puja – Nahai Khay, Kharna and Usha Arghya – together make us understand the importance of restraint, dedication and worship of nature. This festival teaches us that despite difficulties, we should never give up, as the Sun God will surely reward our hard work and devotion. The togetherness and unity experienced during this time reminds us that we are all part of a larger family, where there is a connection to each other’s happiness and prosperity.
Chhath Puja 2024 not only gave us an experience of devotion and tradition, but it also underlines the need for balance and stability in our lives. When we preserve our culture and traditions, we build a strong foundation for generations to come. Through this festival, we also understand that our religious beliefs, in whatever form they may be, unite us and inspire us to move forward in a positive direction.
So, this celebration of Chhath Puja 2024 is not only a time of devotion and rituals, but it is also an opportunity for self-reflection and strengthening family bonds. Let us all celebrate this festival together, carry forward the traditions of our ancestors and move forward in our life’s journey with a new energy and faith through this great festival. On the occasion of this Chhath Puja, may happiness, peace and prosperity be infused in all our lives.
A Story
A journey back to tradition: Chhath Puja of the Gupta family
In the small town of Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, the Gupta family eagerly awaited Chhath Puja, a festival deeply rooted in their traditions and culture. For them, it was not just a religious ritual but a time for family reunion and spiritual rejuvenation. This year, like every year, the family had planned a grand celebration.
Ravi Gupta, the eldest son of the family, was living in Delhi for work. He was a successful banker, leading a busy life in the bustling city, far away from the simplicity of his childhood in Ghazipur. Though he enjoyed his life in the city, there was always a part of him that yearned for the closeness of his family and the traditions he grew up with.
As Chhath Puja approached, Ravi received a heart-warming call from his mother, Suman Gupta. “Ravi, you must come home for Chhath this year. It won’t be the same without you,” she said, her voice a mix of excitement and longing. Ravi knew how important the festival was to his family, especially to his mother and grandmother, who were the pillars of their traditions.
Returning home
Ravi decided to take a leave from work and return home. As he returned to Ghazipur, memories came rushing back – the sound of his grandmother’s prayers, the sweet smell of kheer in the house, and the happy gathering of family and friends during the festival. He felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him, sparking a desire to reconnect with his roots.
On reaching home, he was greeted with warm hugs and smiles. His grandmother, Maya Devi, who had been the guiding force behind their family traditions, immediately began telling him about the preparations for the upcoming festival. “This year, we will perform the same rituals as always. You must help us, Ravi,” she insisted, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Preparation days
The festival of Chhath Puja lasts for four days, and the Gupta family began their preparations with Nahai Khay, the first day of the festival. There is a special meal on this day, usually consisting of gourd, chana dal and rice. The whole family gathered in the kitchen, where Ravi helped his mother and grandmother prepare the traditional feast.
While they were cooking, Suman told stories of how her mother used to celebrate the festival and the significance of each ritual. Ravi learned that Chhath Puja is dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, symbolizing gratitude for the gifts of nature and the importance of family and unity.
The next day, they celebrated Kharna, where they prepared kheer (sweet rice pudding) and other offerings. As they fasted throughout the day, Ravi felt a growing sense of peace and connection with his family. In the evening, they all gathered together to break their fast, share sweet kheer and enjoy the feeling of being together.
The grand aarti
The highlight of Chhath Puja was the arghya, in which they offered prayers to the setting sun. On the evening of the third day, the whole family gathered on the banks of the river Ganges. The atmosphere was filled with devotion as families from all over came together, each with thaalis (prasad) adorned with sugarcane, fruits and flowers in their hands.
As the sun began to set, the sky turned bright orange, creating a mesmerizing backdrop. Ravi watched as his grandmother led the prayers, her voice steady and full of emotion. The rhythmic chants of “O Sun God, we pray to you” echoed around them. Ravi felt the weight of tradition and the power of community enveloping him. It was a moment of deep spiritual connection not just to God but also to his roots.
Morning Aarti
The final day of Chhath Puja celebrated Usha Arghya, where the family woke up before dawn to offer prayers to the rising sun. Ravi, who was now fully immersed in the experience, once again joined his family by the river. The cool morning breeze and the sounds of nature created a serene atmosphere.
As they performed the rituals, Ravi realised how much he had missed these simple but powerful moments. The act of offering water to the sun became a symbolic gesture of gratitude and hope for the future. He felt a new sense of purpose and commitment to keep these traditions alive, not just for himself but for generations to come.
A new understanding
After the festival, as Ravi packed his bags to return to Delhi, he reflected on his experience. This Chhath Puja had been transformative for him. It was a reminder of the values of family, tradition and connection to nature. He promised his grandmother that he would come back every year for the festival.
“I have now realised that these traditions are not just rituals; they are the fabric of our identity,” he said, holding his grandmother’s hand. She smiled, tears of joy in her eyes. “As long as we keep our traditions alive, our family will always be strong,”
Best wishes for Chhath Puja!
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