Chhath Puja Festival

Chhath Puja is an Indian thanksgiving festival devoted to the Sun God. Chhath Puja 2024 will start from 08th November. People gather on the banks of the River Ganges to take a bath in its holy water, pray and make ritual offerings to the Sun God during the jubilations of Chhath Puja. 

Chhath Puja is an elaborate festival noted for its remarkable display of colorful dresses, music, singing and extravagant rituals. Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in the northern regions of the state of Bihar in India.

Description:

On the day before the festival of Chhath Puja, people gather on the banks of the River Ganges and freshen themselves. The Chhath Festival – Fasting is very popular. Before the beginning of the Chhath Puja, people fast throughout the day continuing it into the early evening.

The fast is followed by worship in the home. The whole family is fed with freshly reaped rice, puris, bananas, coconut and grapefruit. On the second day of the Chhath Puja a 24-hour fast is strictly observed, even water cannot be consumed. The senior women of the household cleanse all the cooking utensils which are necessary for the main part of celebrating Chhath Puja.

The participants go to the river bank with their offerings and pay homage to the Sun God. More celebrations take place with sunset and before sunrise the people get back to the river bank with the offerings to pray to the rising sun. This is considered as the focus of the ceremony. After prayers and bathing in the river, the fast is ended.

Time of Celebration:

The festival of Chhath Puja takes place during the months of October and November, immediately after the festival of Diwali. The Chhath Puja lasts for one night and one day.