Overview of Chhath Puja 2025
Chhath Puja date 2025 will be observed from Saturday, October 25 to Tuesday, October 28. This four-day Hindu festival is one of the most spiritual and eco-friendly celebrations in India. Dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the festival honors the natural elements that sustain life — water, sunlight, and air — while expressing gratitude for health, prosperity, and harmony.
The festival is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, but today, it is observed with devotion by Indian communities across the world, including in the US and UK. During Chhath Puja, devotees practice deep self-discipline, fasting, and meditation, reflecting both spiritual and environmental awareness.
The Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is among the oldest known festivals dedicated to solar worship. Unlike many other Hindu rituals conducted by priests, Chhath is performed directly by devotees, often women, who fast and offer “Arghya” to the setting and rising sun.
The rituals symbolize the connection between humans and nature, acknowledging the Sun’s vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Devotees believe that praying to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya helps purify the mind and body, bringing good health, success, and peace to the family.
This festival is also known by different names in various regions — Surya Shashti, Chhathi, Dala Puja, and Chhath Parv — yet the devotion and spiritual depth remain the same everywhere.
Chhath Puja 2025 Dates and Ritual Schedule
The festival lasts for four days, each day having unique rituals and deep symbolic meaning. Below is the complete schedule for Chhath Puja date 2025, including Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya.
Day 1: Nahay Khay – Bathing and Feasting
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
The first day, known as Nahay Khay, marks the beginning of Chhath Puja. Devotees take a sacred bath in rivers, ponds, or other clean water bodies, symbolizing spiritual purification. They then prepare a simple meal made from pumpkin, rice, and pulses, which is considered pure and sattvik (free from onions and garlic).
Homes are thoroughly cleaned, and items like fruits, sugarcane, and earthen diyas (lamps) are bought for the coming rituals. The day represents the cleansing of both the body and the soul, setting the tone for the days ahead.
Day 2: Kharna – The Sacred Fast
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
The second day, called Kharna, is a day of intense devotion and fasting. Devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset without drinking even a drop of water.
As the sun sets, they prepare prasad (holy offering) — usually gur ki kheer (sweet porridge made with jaggery, rice, and milk) — and offer it to Chhathi Maiya. After the offering, the fast is broken, and prasad is shared with family, friends, and neighbors.
This ritual symbolizes patience, devotion, and gratitude toward divine blessings.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – Evening Offerings to the Sun
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Sunset Time: 5:40 PM (IST)
The third day is the most visually stunning and spiritually uplifting part of Chhath Puja. Devotees gather along riverbanks and ponds at sunset, standing waist-deep in water to offer Sandhya Arghya — prayers to the setting Sun.
The ritual represents thanksgiving to Surya Dev for the light and energy that nurture all living beings. Families sing devotional songs, listen to the Chhath Vrat Katha, and light diyas that float across the water, creating a mesmerizing sight.
This day is often marked by mass gatherings at riversides, especially in Patna, Varanasi, and Kathmandu. Even Indian communities in London and New York organize collective prayers, showcasing the festival’s growing international appeal.
Day 4: Usha Arghya – Morning Offerings to the Rising Sun
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The final day, Usha Arghya, is dedicated to the rising Sun, symbolizing new beginnings and the renewal of life. Devotees gather before sunrise to offer water and fruits to Surya Dev while chanting hymns.
This ritual concludes the 36-hour long fast that devotees have been observing since Kharna. After the prayer, families return home and share prasad, ending the festival on a note of peace, gratitude, and togetherness.
Preparations and Festive Atmosphere
As Chhath Puja 2025 approaches, markets become vibrant with bamboo baskets, sugarcane, fruits, coconuts, and diyas. Streets are cleaned, and ghats (riverbanks) are decorated for safe and comfortable worship.
Communities around the world — especially in New Jersey, London, and Toronto — recreate the traditional rituals, keeping cultural roots alive even far from home.
Thekua, a sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery, remains the most iconic food of Chhath Puja. It is offered during prayers and later shared as prasad among friends and relatives.
Also read: Bhai Dooj in English: Celebration, Significance, and Timings for 2025
Conclusion: The Universal Message of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja 2025 is not just a religious observance but a festival that reflects humanity’s deep respect for nature, sunlight, and sustainability.
Through fasting, prayer, and gratitude, devotees strengthen their connection with the divine and renew their sense of inner peace. Whether celebrated on the banks of the Ganges or in the parks of London, Chhath Puja continues to unite communities across the world in faith, light, and harmony.
