Chhath Puja 2025: Traditions, Significance, and Celebration Timings
Chhath Puja is one of the most beautiful spiritual festivals that is celebrated in India and Nepal. This festival is a gratitude towards Lord Surya and Chhati Maiya. In India, this lively festival is mainly celebrated by communities in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The most unique thing about this festival is that no idol is worshipped during it.
This festival beautifully showcases our connection with cosmic energies. It reminds us how grateful we must be to have natural gifts, like the power of the sun. Keep reading to know more about Chhath Puja 2025, its traditions, celebration timings for this year, and more.
Chhath Puja 2025: Celebration Timings
Chhath Puja is one of the most lively Indian festivals that brings families together. Once again this year, this sacred four-day celebration filled with faith and discipline is approaching. Everything about this festival shows our respect for the simple joys of life we have because of nature.
- Nahay Khay: Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Lohanda and Kharna: Sunday, October 26, 2025
- Sandhya Arghya (Sunset): Approximately 05:40 PM on Monday, October 27, 2025
- Usha Arghya (Sunrise): Approximately 06:30 AM on Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Mythological & Spiritual Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a beautiful Indian festival that honors Chhati Maiya and Lord Surya. During this four-day sacred celebration, devotees observe fasts, take holy dips, and offer prayers to the rising and setting sun beside rivers or ghats. There are many legends linked with this lively festival. According to one mythological legend, Lord Rama and Devi Sita observed a fast and performed rituals to offer their prayers to the Sun God after defeating Ravana.
Another legend is related to the Mahabharata. It is believed that Draupadi performed this Puja to help the Pandavas regain their lost kingdom and face other difficulties. Moreover, it is believed that Karna, the son of Lord Surya, was the first one to perform this puja. This festival is also connected to Chhati Maiya, who is worshipped as the sister of Lord Surya. She is seen as the protector of children and blesses devotees with good health.
Chhath Puja 2025 Rituals: Day by Day
The festival that shows gratitude to the Sun God and Chhati Maiya involves many unique rituals. From standing in water and making offerings to the setting and rising sun to fasting, it involves many rituals that purify the mind, body, and soul. Here is a day-by-day ritual guide of this lively festival:
1. Nahay Khay (Oct 25)
This sacred four-day celebration begins with taking a holy dip in ponds or rivers. The devotees who keep fast during this festival are called vratis or vratins. They prepare a simple and pure vegetarian meal of lauki, rice, and chana dal. They eat a single meal on the first day. All the cooking of the satvik meal for day 1 is done using copper, brass, or other traditional utensils. Moreover, the food is cooked on a cow dung or wood fire. So, Nahay Khay is completely dedicated to preparation and purification.
2. Lohanda and Kharna (Oct 26)
On the second day of Chhath Puja 2025, devotees will observe a strict fast. They don’t even drink water once the fast starts from sunrise. Only after sunset in the evening do they break their fast with a special meal of kheer, roti, and fruits. After breaking their sunset with this special meal in the evening, a 36-hour-long fast begins. This long fast without food or water continues until the next day’s Usha Arghya in the morning.
3. Sandhya Arghya (Oct 27)
Devotees offer arghya to the setting sun while standing waist-deep in a water body. As the sun begins to set, they proceed to the riverbank or prepare a water tank. They carry a Soop or a bamboo tray, which is filled with thekua, fruits, raw milk, and other offerings. They offer arghya while singing folk songs and prayers.
4. Usha Arghya and Parana (Oct 28)
This ritual is performed on the final day of the Chhath Puja festival. This ritual is performed in the early morning, just before sunrise. The devotees gather at the waterbody and offer arghya to the rising sun. This ritual ends the 36-hour-long fast. People share prasad with their family, neighbors, and visitors. This ritual concludes this beautiful festival filled with faith and love.
How Chhath Puja Is Celebrated Across India
Chhath Puja is a festival that involves many spiritual rituals that help devotees achieve mental and soul purification. Vratis or vratins gather at water bodies, sing folk songs, and follow all the rituals of this four-day sacred celebration.
1. Traditional Ghats
All the celebrations of the Chhath Puja 2025 will traditionally take place on the banks of rivers, like the Ganga and Yamuna. Devotees clean and decorate areas around water bodies in their villages with rangoli and earthen pots. They gather at the water bodies and perform rituals while singing Chhath geet.
2. Home Celebrations
People living in cities and urban areas celebrate this festival at home. They use artificial water tanks, like bathtubs, to offer their arghya. Neighbors in gated communities gather and sing bhajans throughout the night.
3. Environmental & Cultural Significance
The Chhath festival is dedicated to natural elements, including the sun and water. Devotees, while performing all the rituals linked with this festival, show their respect for rivers and nature. Through disciplined rituals, like fasting and silence, they purify themselves physically and mentally. Unlike Diwali and other festivals, during which crackers and idols are used for celebrations. Only eco-friendly items are used to perform all the rituals of this festival.
Experience the Spirit of Chhath Puja in 2025
Chhath Puja 2025 is a time for everyone to come together for the unique rituals of this four-day, lively festival. Women usually wear vibrant sarees, and men wear dhoti-kurta to perform rituals. The special sweets, like thekua and rice laddoos, make this festival more exciting. Those who wish to witness this soulful experience must plan a trip to Bihar or Uttar Pradesh during this Chhath festival.
With Luxury Trails of India, you can book your trip easily during the Chhath Puja 2025 celebrations. Watching thousands of devotees offering arghya to the sun on the riverbanks is indeed going to be a beautiful sight. We can help you explore the local ghats and experience the rituals. By choosing us as your trusted travel partner, you can enjoy a smooth and memorable journey. From arranging a stay in comfortable hotels to other needs, we manage everything.
Also Read – Varanasi Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting
