Chhath Puja Vidhi
Chhath Puja is a four-day mega festival on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. It is the biggest folk festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, and Nepal. Arghya is offered to both the setting and rising Sun. It is the only festival where the setting Sun is worshipped. The vrat is extremely rigorous and purity-centric.
Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Saptami (October–November)
Sunset & Sunrise arghya
→ When is it observed? See the date & significance
Puja Samagri (Items Required)
- Soop (bamboo tray)
- Thekua, dates, poori
- Sugarcane, coconut, banana, apple, orange
- Turmeric, ginger (raw vegetables)
- Milk, water for arghya
- Lamp, incense
- New (cotton) clothes
- Arghya vessel for Sun
Puja Procedure — Steps
Day 1 — Nahay-Khay (Kartik Shukla Chaturthi)
The devotee bathes in a river/pond. Returns home to eat a sattvic meal of bottle gourd/pumpkin, rice, dal. 36-hour fast begins after this.
Day 2 — Kharna / Lohanda (Panchami)
Full-day nirjala fast. In the evening, make rice-jaggery-milk kheer and offer to Chhathi Maiya. Distribute as prasad. Devotee eats kheer-roti and begins another 36-hour nirjala fast.
Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya (Sunset Offering, Shashthi)
Full-day nirjala fast. At sunset, go to the river ghat with soop full of thekua, fruits, sugarcane. Stand waist-deep and offer arghya to the setting Sun with milk and water.
Day 4 — Pratah Arghya & Parana (Sunrise Offering, Saptami)
Reach the ghat before sunrise. Offer arghya to the rising Sun. Pray to Chhathi Maiya for family protection. Distribute prasad. Break the fast with jaggery water or tea.
Main Mantra
Om Suryaya Namah । Chhathi Maiya Ki Jai Ho ।
Benefits of this Puja
Chhath Puja is traditionally observed for progeny, child protection, family prosperity, relief from illness, freedom from fear, and Surya's grace. The vrat is held in such reverence that wishes are said to be fulfilled — but once started, it must be observed lifelong.
Important Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chhath Puja Vidhi performed and what is the muhurat?
Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Saptami (October–November) — Sunset & Sunrise arghya
What samagri (items) are needed for Chhath Puja Vidhi?
Soop (bamboo tray), Thekua, dates, poori, Sugarcane, coconut, banana, apple, orange, Turmeric, ginger (raw vegetables), Milk, water for arghya, Lamp, incense, New (cotton) clothes, Arghya vessel for Sun
Which mantra is chanted during Chhath Puja Vidhi?
Om Suryaya Namah । Chhathi Maiya Ki Jai Ho ।
What are the benefits of Chhath Puja Vidhi?
Chhath Puja is traditionally observed for progeny, child protection, family prosperity, relief from illness, freedom from fear, and Surya's grace. The vrat is held in such reverence that wishes are said to be fulfilled — but once started, it must be observed lifelong.