Chhath Puja in 2024: Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and important festivals celebrated in India, especially in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and his sister, Chhathi Maiya. Chhath Puja is all about purity, faith, and one's devotion to the deity.
In 2024, Chhath Puja will be celebrated on November 07 and 08. On this auspicious occasion, devotees observe rigorous rituals and follow strict rules to pay obeisance to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. They believe that sincere prayers and offerings to the deities during Chhath help cure a variety of illnesses and ensure the well-being and prosperity of the family.
So when exactly is Chhath Puja in 2024, and what is the history and significance behind this festival? Read on to find out.
When is Chhath Puja in 2024?
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of the solar deity Surya. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from November 07th to November 08th. On the first day, known as Nahay Khay, devotees take a holy dip in rivers or other water bodies before fasting for the day.
The second day, Kharna, involves more fasting and offering food and prasad to the setting sun. On the third day, Chhath, devotees again offer Arghya to the setting sun. The fourth and final day is Usha Arghya when arghya is given to the rising sun. Chhath is celebrated especially widely in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The festival expresses gratitude to the sun for bestowing the bounties of life.
Chhath Puja 2024 Time
In 2024, Chhath Puja will be celebrated on:
- Chhath Nahay Khay - November 05, Tuesday
- Lohanda and Kharna - November 06, Wednesday
- Sandhya Arghya - November 07, Thursday
- Usha Arghya - November 08, Friday
The main festival is celebrated on the Shashti Tithi (sixth day) of the Kartik month of the Hindu lunar calendar. This is why the Chhath festival usually falls in the months of October or November, as per the Gregorian calendar.
Auspicious Timings for Chhath Puja 2024
Sunrise during Chhath Puja: 06:35 AM
Sunset during Chhath Puja: 05:32 PM
How is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
Chhath Puja is celebrated over four days with elaborate rituals and offerings made to the sun. The first day is Nahay Khay, where devotees clean their homes, take a purifying bath, and eat only one meal consisting of kheer. The second day, Kharna involves fasting from sunrise to sunset after offering prayers and arghya (offerings) to the setting sun.
On the third and main day, Chhath, devotees offer sandhya arghya to the setting sun. Women fast throughout the day and stand in waist-deep river waters to worship the sun god. The fourth day, Usha Arghya, sees devotees offer arghya to the rising sun, often standing in river waters. Afterward, devotees break their fast by eating dry fruit prasad.
A key ritual involves carrying offerings in a bamboo basket during sunrise and sunset. Offerings include sweets, kheer, thekua, and fruit. Chhath is celebrated with great fervor, especially in Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, with elaborate decorations and festive foods. Family and friends gather to participate in and witness the rituals.
Also Read: Chhath Puja: 2024 में छठ पूजा कब है, जानें तारीख, मुहूर्त और धार्मिक महत्व
The Origins and Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja finds references in ancient Vedic texts like the Rigveda and is dedicated to the solar deity Surya and his consorts Usha and Pratyusha. The ancient festival is observed mainly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh in India and Nepal.
Historians believe Chhath Puja may have originated during the Vedic period, as sun worship and rituals similar to modern-day Chhath Puja are mentioned in Rigveda. The festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Karthika in the Hindu calendar.
Chhath Puja is celebrated to offer thanks to Surya for bestowing the bounties of life and fulfilling wishes. Devotees believe sunlight has curative properties and can heal a variety of diseases.
The Sun is considered the god of energy and life force. By worshipping the Sun and its healing powers, devotees believe they can cleanse themselves of negativity, and Sinsinhhath Puja rituals promote inner peace and mental tranquility through prayer.
The festival brings together entire families and communities to celebrate divine solar power. It holds great cultural and social significance as it promotes values of devotion, faith, unity, and prosperity.
Chhath Puja 2024 Rituals
Here are some key rituals performed during Chhath Puja:
Nahay Khay - On the first day, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath, usually in a river or other water body. This ritual cleanses and purifies them before the main festivities.
Kharna - The second day involves fasting from sunrise to sunset. Offerings of kheer, puri, fruits, etc. are made to the setting sun.
Chhath Puja - This is the main day of worship. Devotees fast the entire day and offer Arghya and Prasad to the setting sun in the evening. Women stand knee-deep in water and offer prayers.
Usha Arghya - The final ritual involves offering arghya and prayers to the rising sun early in the morning. Devotees break their fast by eating prasad and dry fruits.
Bamboo Baskets - An important ritual involves carrying offerings in a bamboo basket and covering it with a red cloth. The basket contains seasonal fruits, sweets, kheer, and Thekua.
Fasting - Rigorous fasting, with no water or food, is observed by devotees during the key rituals for purification.
Prasad & Bhog - Devotees cook elaborate prasad and bhog offerings such as Thekua, laddu, and fruit offerings.
Surya Aradhana - Dedicated worship of the Hindu sun god Surya defines the festival and its rituals.
Riverside Rituals - Key rituals are performed on river banks or while standing in water bodies like ponds.
Why is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
Here are some of the main reasons why Chhath Puja is celebrated:
- To thank and worship Surya, the Hindu sun god, for bestowing the blessings of life, energy, and prosperity. Surya is the primary deity honored during Chhath.
- To thank the sun for a successful harvest. Chhath occurs post-monsoon and is seen as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.
- For the well-being of one's family. Rituals are performed to seek health, happiness, and prosperity for one's family members, especially sons.
- For purification and self-discipline. The rigorous fasting and rituals are seen as purifying one's body and soul.
- To uphold ancient Hindu traditions. Chhath is traced back thousands of years in ancient Hindu texts. Continuing the tradition upholds Hindu heritage.
- Sign of devotion. The difficult rituals prove one's faith and devotion to the gods. Fulfilling them is seen as a sign of piety.
- To pay respects to ancestors. Chhath is believed to pay homage to deceased elders and gain their blessings.
- For wish-fulfillment. The festival is considered auspicious for getting desires fulfilled if meaningful offerings are made.
- For community and celebration. Chhath brings together families, friends, and communities in celebration of traditions.
In essence, Chhath Puja allows devotees to express gratitude, faith, and devotion through rigorous rituals devoted to the cosmic forces of the sun and nature.
Chhath Puja 2024 Schedule in Bihar
In Bihar, this year, Chhath Puja will commence on Thursday, November 07, and conclude on Friday, November 08. Throughout this sacred observance, women observe a 36-hour fast and offer prayers for the well-being, joy, and longevity of their children. You can refer to the ritual calendar for Chhath Puja 2024 for more details.
Celebrating Chhath Puja in India
Chhath Puja is celebrated with much fervor and gaiety across India, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the Terai regions of Nepal.
In the bustling ghats of Patna, devotees flock in thousands to perform the elaborate rituals of Chhath Puja on the banks of the River Ganges. The festival atmosphere is vibrant with lights, colors, and community singing.
In Ranchi, Jharkhand, locals celebrate by cleaning ponds and rivers for the rituals. Makeshift bamboo huts are built around water bodies to accommodate the devotees.
The vibrant Chhath songs of folklore known as ‘Chhath geet’ echo during the 4-day festival. Women fast for the well-being of their families and distribute prasad.
Elaborate bamboo structures and tents are set up along river banks for lighting diyas and preparing community meals. Cities like Delhi and Mumbai also see massive community celebrations.
Chhath Puja weaves together entire communities through faith and tradition. The early morning and evening rituals by the water represent the ancient practice of sun worship in India.
Rituals for Sun worship during Chhath Puja
Here are some of the major rituals performed for sun worship during Chhath Puja:
- Arghya - Offering water and milk to the sun, along with flowers, sweets, and fruits in a bamboo basket. This is done at sunrise and sunset.
- Surya Namaskar - Performing prostrations towards the sun as a form of worship. Usually done standing in water bodies.
- Prarthana - Chanting special prayers and singing folk songs, called Chhath songs, in praise of Surya.
- Aragh - Offering freshly harvested paddy, sugarcane, and other crops to the rising and setting sun.
- Lighting Diyas - Rows of diyas are lit on the banks of rivers and ponds during the sunset and sunrise.
- Prasad - Devotees prepare special prasads like thekua, laddu, and other rice delicacies that are first offered to the sun.
- Fasting - Observing rigid fasting from sunrise to sunset, including abstaining from water.
- Riverside worship - Standing in waterbodies like rivers or ponds during the rituals, including arghya.
- Bamboo baskets - Carrying offerings in a bamboo basket, covered in red cloth, to and from worship.
- Agni Pooja - Worshipping an earthen stove as a representation of Surya on Chhath eve.
- Kharna - Eating only one meal on Chhath eve after making offerings to the sun.
These extensive rituals demonstrate the emphasis on worshipping the cosmic forces of the sun during Chhath.
Chhath Puja 2024: Where Does It Find Celebration?
While Chhath Puja is observed with great enthusiasm across India, it holds its primary significance in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Mumbai, and Goa. This festival is marked by profound devotion and dedication.
Chhath Puja is a vibrant and festive occasion. Women adorn themselves in their finest attire and embellish their homes with flowers and illumination. They partake in singing and dancing to commemorate this festival. Chhath Puja serves as a time for women to come together, celebrating their faith, families, and rich cultural heritage.
Chhath Puja: Worshipping the Sun God
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God. ‘Chhath’ comes from the word ‘Shashi’ meaning sixth, and is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Karthika.
Devout worshippers believe the Sun God is the source of all creation and energy. Chhath Puja commemorates Surya along with the goddesses Usha and Pratyusha, representing the first rays of the morning and dusk.
The rituals venerate the Sun’s life-giving powers and ability to bestow health, prosperity, and happiness. By offering arghya during sunrises and sunsets, devotees show gratitude and seek blessings.
Fasting, sacred bathing, singing folk songs, lighting diyas, and abstaining from drinking water are ways in which worshippers pay obeisance to cosmic solar energy.
Chhath Puja renews faith in the divine powers of the Sun. The festival is a celebration of Surya’s cosmic beneficence.
Chhath Puja 2024 History and Significance
The ancient texts and Puranas trace the history of Chhath Puja back to Vedic times. The Rigveda contains hymns worshipping the Sun God and describes similar rituals.
The festival finds reference in the Mahabharata when Draupadi and the Pandavas observed the fast and offered prayers to the Sun God. It is believed that Chhath was started by Surya Putra Karna, who was an ardent devotee of Surya.
However, Chhath Puja became more popular during the ancient period when Priests and sages started observing it on a regular basis. They believed that sunlight could cure various diseases and conditions. Over the centuries, Chhath became an important folk festival celebrated across northern India.
Chhath is celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month of the Hindu Solar calendar. It is believed that Lord Rama and Sita observed a fast and offered prayers to the Sun God on this day after returning from their 14 years in exile.
So, Chhath signifies faith, devotion, and one's close relationship with the forces of nature. The key rituals span over 4 days with immense rigor and discipline, which brings mental calmness and purification of one's body and soul.
It is also believed that Chhath Puja may even predate the ancient Vedic rites. The harsh rituals point to their origins in primitive cultures where elaborate worship of natural forces was the norm.
Major Rituals during the 4 Days of Chhath Celebrations
Chhath is celebrated over a period of four days, with each day requiring the faithful to observe various rituals and customs. Here's a look at the major videos performed during Chhath:
Nahay Khay: This is the first day of Chhath when devotees take a holy dip, preferably in a river or water body like a pond or pool. The devotees also carry home Gangajal and prepare the prasad at home, which consists of Kheer (rice pudding), puris (deep-fried puffed bread), and bananas. Thekheer and bananas are key offerings during the main festival.
After returning home, devotees observe a fast for the whole day. They eat the prasad and break their fast only the next morning after sunrise.
Lohanda and Kharna: On this day, the devotees continue with their fast without water. The evening offerings consist of radio (a soup of jaggery and milk), kheer, and chapatis. The food is strictly vegetarian, without any salt, onions, or garlic. The offerings are made on banana leaves. The family offers prayers as the devotee breaks their fast by consuming lohan-da and rasiao.
Chhath Puja: This is the main festival day when devotees, along with their families, go to the riverside or a common large water body to make the main offerings (Arghya) to the setting and rising sun.
The evening Arghya is made to the setting sun amidst chants and bhajans. The devotees enter the water and offer milk, sweets, rice, and coconuts to the Sun God as he sets. Prayers are offered seeking sustained prosperity and the well-being of one's family.
On the morning of the next day, devotees make pre-dawn Arghya to the rising sun. The devotees offer Arghya facing eastward to the climbing sun amid holy chants. The devotees offer milk, water, sweets, rice, coconuts, and fruits while knee-deep in the waters. After Arghya, devotees break their fast by consuming Chhathprasad.
Usha Arghya: On the early morning of the fourth day, devotees offer the Usha Arghya (prayers and offerings to the rising Sun). The devotees make their offerings to the rising Sun at dawn. This Arghya marks the culmination of the Chhath rituals, after which devotees break their fast. They receive the blessings of the morning Sun. The prasad is later distributed among friends, relatives, and neighbors.
Also Read in Hindi: जानें छठ पूजा 2024 का शुभ मुहूर्त, नहाय-खाय व खरना की तिथि और सूर्य अर्घ्य का समय
Key Chhath Rituals and Customs
Along with the major videos performed each day, there are other rituals and customs associated with Chhath:
- Thekaddu Bharat Worship ritual - On the night prior to Chhath, five small mounds are made using cow dung cakes. These symbolize the five elements of Earth, Water, Fire, air, and Sky. The mounds are decorated with flowers and colored patterns. Offerings of fruits are made on top of the kaddu. This ritual is believed to evoke prosperity and cure diseases.
- There is a round clay pot filled with chopped fruits, betel nuts, grains, and prasad. It is offered to the deities during the Arghyas. It is like God's treasure, filled with blessings.
- Fasting is integral to Chhath. Devotees eat only vegetarian foods without onion or garlic. They refrain from drinking water from sunrise to sunset.
- The fast is one of the toughest, requiring around 36 hours of abstinence from water and any fire-cooked food.
- Cleanliness is mandatory - Devotees clean their homes and surroundings before Chhath. The locale near water bodies is cleaned using gomutra (cow urine).
- The prasad is made at home using simple ingredients like rice, milk, sugarcane juice, and bananas. The food is Satvik (pure vegetarian), cooked without onion, garlic, or salt.
- The white color dominates the clothes and offerings during Chhath. White symbolizes purity.
- During the Arghyas, women chant folk songs called Chhath songs. These are dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.
Thus, Chhath involves rigorous rituals demanding discipline, purity, and devotion from devotees who seek the Gods' blessings. The festival brings families together to celebrate traditional customs while rejoicing in the bounty of nature.
Chhath Puja Celebrations in Bihar
The Chhath festival is celebrated most elaborately in the state of Bihar by all communities. Bihar sees a festive atmosphere during Chhath, with intensely crowded roads and markets prior to the four festival days.
In Bihar, Chhath coincides with the autumn paddy harvest season. Farmers thus have both - a grateful harvest and the opportunity to offer prayers seeking blessings after the Kharif crop.
Chhath in Bihar becomes a social and community celebration, with people making offerings at riversides and ponds. Temporary ghats are made at such sites to manage the millions who make Arghyas.
The Bihar government makes elaborate arrangements for safety, sanitation, and crowd management during mass gatherings. Temporary sheds, lights, and first-aid camps are set up for the millions who turn up. Additional trains and buses are scheduled, considering the rush of pilgrims. Police security is heightened, and disaster teams are on standby.
Famous ghats like Deo, Sonepur, and Digha in Patna see the maximum crowd. Special community kitchens called 'Annapurna Rasoi' serve free food to devotees.
Thus, the administration pulls out all the stops to allow devotees to practice the Chhath rituals in a safe environment. The festival brings the entire state together to celebrate tradition and seek blessings from the divine.
The Chhath songs of Bihar are also quite renowned. These folk songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya echoed from homes and riversides during the four days. The traditional, sonorous music epitomizes the region's cultural heritage.
So Chhath Puja is when Bihar truly comes alive with intense fervor for tradition, faith in the gods, and social harmony.
Overview of Chhath Celebrations in UP, Jharkhand, and West Bengal
Several other states also celebrate Chhath across towns and villages:
Uttar Pradesh
- Chhath is celebrated on a huge scale, especially in Eastern UP cities like Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow.
- Lacs of devotees gather at the Ghats of Varanasi to offer Arghya and prayers to the setting Sun over the Ganga river. Elaborate arrangements are made to handle crowds.
- Key celebrations also take place at lakes like Gomti Lake, Moti Jheel, LaxarTalab, and Sharda Canal.
Jharkhand
- All districts of Jharkhand see Chhath celebrations, especially in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and Bokaro.
- ShaktiPeeth temples like Rajrappa, Chandika Mai Mandir, and Ma Bamleshwari Mandir see special Chhath prayers.
- Around 2 million people are estimated to celebrate Chhath in Jharkhand every year.
West Bengal's
- Major Chhath celebrations take place in Kolkata as well as Asansol, Durgapur, and the districts of Purulia, Bankura, and Burdwan.
- In Kolkata, devotees flock to Rabindra Sarovar Lake, which is a key Chhath celebration site in the city. Special ghats are set up for Arghyas.
- Chhath is celebrated mainly by people from the Purvanchal community settled in Kolkata, along with Biharis and UPites living in the city.
- Cultural events and Chhath festivities are organized by Bihari organizations at places like Girish Park.
Environmental Concerns Around Mass Chhath Celebrations
The massive congregations during Chhath inevitably damage river and coastal ecosystems, despite efforts by civic authorities. Key environmental concerns around Chhath celebrations include:
- Water pollution at rivers and beaches - Immersion of puja offerings and discharge of sewage leads to a spike in the levels of hazardous chemicals and toxins in the water post-Chhath. This threatens marine ecosystems.
- Air pollution - Burnt offerings, smog from temple fires, and vehicular pollution significantly worsen air quality after Diwali and Chhath. Delhi saw a major air quality decline during this period.
- Noise pollution - The use of loudspeakers during mass gatherings and processions causes noise pollution that disturbs local residents and businesses.
- Solid waste accumulation - Large amounts of plastic and puja waste are left behind at ghats after Chhath, which civic bodies struggle to clean up.
- Traffic congestion - Millions of pilgrims flocking to Chhath Ghats lead to gridlock, traffic diversions, and road closures that inconvenience local residents.
Various court orders have called for strict restrictions during Chhath to balance religious rights with environmental concerns. Civic bodies are taking steps like artificial ponds, waste segregation, and recycling. However, more awareness and initiatives are required to celebrate Chhath in an eco-friendly manner.
The Significance of Fasting during Chhath
One of the toughest aspects of Chhath Puja is the nirjal, or water-less fast, observed by devotees on the main festival day. The strict fast and its significance point to the resolve and devotion underlying the rituals.
- The fast spans around 36 hours, during which devotees do not consume even water after sunrise on the main Chhath day. Consuming fruits or any solid food is also forbidden.
- This ritual of abstinence is observed to purify one's body and soul while seeking the blessings of the Gods.
- Devotees believe the tough fast signifies their unwavering faith and commitment to tradition. Completing the fast is considered to fulfill wishes and bring the family prosperity.
- Elders caution against taking the fast lightly given the health risks of going without water under the hot Sun while standing for hours in water bodies. But most devotees undertake the fast with determination.
- The Dev-Shashan tradition underlying these rigorous rituals points to their ancient origins as aimed at appeasing Gods through severe penance.
- Intake of prasad and water is resumed only after offering arghya to the rising Sun on the morning after Chhath. The 36-hour fast ends after the final Arghya, with devotees seeking God's blessings while rejuvenating their minds and bodies.
Thus, the Waterless fast signifies the devotion and sacrifice of devotees who find mental strength through these ancestral traditions aimed at earning the Gods' grace and protection.
Cultural and Social Importance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja holds deep cultural and social significance in India, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
The festival brings together families and communities to celebrate the divine Sun and its energizing rays. Chhath acts as a community bonding place where people from all classes come together.
Women play a leading role in organizing and following the stringent rituals of the festival. They observe difficult fasts and stand in water for long periods for Arghya. The festival promotes values of devotion, perseverance, and purity.
Chhath is celebrated with traditional fervor through folk songs, special vegetarian food, ethnic clothes, and elaborate rituals by waterbodies. The morning and evening Arghya resonate with the chanting of mantras and singing.
From cleaning water bodies to preparing prasad, organizing Chhath is a community effort. Devotees exchange goodwill and seek blessings for prosperity.
Chhath Puja renews the spirit of togetherness. The festival has become an integral part of the cultural ethos and heritage of North India.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and sacred festivals of India, dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Hindu sun god. Celebrated over 4 days, Chhath involves rigorous rituals of prayer, fasting, and offerings made to the rising and setting sun. Central rituals include holy dips, standing knee-deep in rivers, and making offerings of seasonal fruits and sweets in bamboo baskets.
Chhath is celebrated most widely in Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh, bringing together families and communities to uphold ancient Hindu traditions and express gratitude to the life-giving forces of the cosmos. The elaborate rituals reflect the strong faith and devotion that define Chhath Puja for millions of Hindu devotees. Ultimately, the festival exemplifies the deep spiritual connection and veneration for nature's elements in Hindu culture.
FAQs
Q1. When will Chhath Puja be celebrated in 2024?
In 2024, Chhath Puja will be celebrated on November 05th and 08th. The main festival dates are November 07th for Chhath Puja and November 08th for Surya Shashti.
Q2. What is the history and origin of Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja originated in ancient Vedic times and finds reference in Rigveda texts. It is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God Surya and his wife Usha to express gratitude and seek their blessings.
Q4. What are the main rituals performed during Chhath Puja?
Major rituals include holy bathing, fasting, offering 'Arghya' to the setting and rising sun, and praying in knee-deep water. The worshippers abstain from drinking water during the vrat, or fast.
