Chhath Puja

History & Origins of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is an ancient, highly austere Vedic festival dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiyya, thanking them for sustaining life on Earth. Celebrated primarily in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, it is unique as it is a pure nature-worship ritual that does not involve any idol worship.

How It Is Observed & Celebrated

Devotees observe a rigorous four-day fast, including standing in river waters for hours to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun (arghya). Elaborate traditional wheat sweets (thekua) are prepared, and devotees carry colourful baskets of fruit to the riverbanks while singing devotional folk songs.