# Chhath Parva 2026: Date and Rituals > Ancient 4-day Vedic festival dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya thanking the Sun for sustaining life on Earth. Source: https://www.hinducalendar.today/festivals/chhath-parva ## Significance & Spiritual Meaning Spiritual philosophy, inner meaning and eternal virtues Significance & Spiritual Meaning Chhath Puja (also known as Surya Shashti, Chhathi, Dala Chhath, or Mahaparv) is an ancient, rigorous 4-day Vedic festival celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Madhesh region of Nepal, as well as globally across the Indian diaspora. Falling on Shukla Paksha Shashthi of the Kartika month, it is unique in Hinduism for being the only festival where prayers and Arghya are offered to both the setting Sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising Sun (Usha Arghya). The 4-day observance comprises: Day 1: Nahay-Khay (purification bath and satvik meal of kaddu-bhat); Day 2: Kharna (day-long fast culminating in evening jaggery kheer prasad); Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (standing chest-deep in holy rivers offering bamboo soop baskets filled with Thekua, sugarcane, and fruits to the setting sun); Day 4: Usha Arghya (dawn offerings to the rising sun, followed by breaking the 36-hour waterless fast). Spiritual philosophy, inner meaning and eternal virtues Chhath Puja embodies intense self-discipline, eco-harmony, and reverence for cosmic energies: 1. Gratitude to the Sustainer: The Sun (Surya) is the visible God (Pratyaksha Devata) whose cosmic rays sustain life, photosynthesis, health, and vitality. 2. Goddess Shashti (Chhathi Maiya): Chhathi Maiya is revered as the sister of Surya and the cosmic protectress of children and progeny. 3. Radical Equality & Purity: Chhath transcends all caste and social boundaries—all devotees (Vratis) gather at the same riverbanks using simple natural bamboo soops, earthen stoves, and natural seasonal produce without the intervention of priests. ## Sacred Story & Divine Lore Scriptural history and divine legends in sacred lore Core Narrative Summary “Celebrated since Vedic antiquity, King Priyavrata and Queen Malini performed Shashti Vrata to obtain a healthy son, and Karna (son of Surya) offered regular river Arghya, inspiring the sacred tradition.” The origins of Chhath Puja trace back to the Rigveda and the Mahabharata. King Priyavrata, son of Svayambhuva Manu, had no children. Sage Kashyapa performed a Putrakameshti yajna, but the newborn son was stillborn. In overwhelming grief, as the king prepared to end his life, Goddess Devasena (the sixth cosmic aspect of Prakriti, known as Chhathi Maiya) manifested in a glowing celestial chariot. She declared: "I am the wife of Kartikeya and protector of all newborn children. Worship Me and your child shall live." The king performed the fast, and his child was restored to life with glowing health. In the Mahabharata, Karna, the mighty warrior and son of Surya, stood chest-deep in the Ganga every afternoon to offer Arghya to the Sun God and distribute charity to the needy. Queen Draupadi and the Pandavas also observed Chhath Puja upon the advice of Sage Dhaumya during their exile, regaining their lost kingdom and health through the grace of Surya Dev. ## Key Rituals & Observance Step-by-step sacred rituals and worship practices 1. 1 Step 1 Day 1 (Nahay-Khay): Holy bath in flowing river, cleaning home, preparing satvik pumpkin curry (Lauki Bhaat) in brass/clay pots. 2. 2 Step 2 Day 2 (Kharna): Full day fast without water. At sunset, offering jaggery kheer (Rasiya) and ghee rotis to Surya Dev before consuming as the only meal. 3. 3 Step 3 Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya): Starting 36-hour Nirjala fast. Carrying bamboo basket (Daura/Soop) to riverbank, standing in water to offer evening Arghya with raw milk and water. 4. 4 Step 4 Night 3: Lighting clay Kosi lamps and singing devotional Chhathi songs through the night. 5. 5 Step 5 Day 4 (Usha Arghya): Offering morning Arghya to the rising Sun, completing the fast with ginger and raw sugar prasad. ## Sacred Deity & Powerful Mantras Bhagavan Surya Dev (Sun God) & Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashti / Usha-Pratyusha) • Vedic and Puranic chants for peace and blessings 1 #### Surya Gayatri Mantra (सूर्य गायत्री मंत्र) ॐ आदित्याय विद्महे प्रभाकराय धीमहि । तन्नो सूर्यः प्रचोदयात् ॥ Om Adityaya Vidmahe Prabhakaraya Dhimahi, Tanno Suryah Prachodayat Meaning: May we realize the glorious Sun God, the maker of light. We meditate upon Surya. May the Sun God inspire and illuminate our inner intellect. 2 #### Chhath Arghya Mantra (छठ अर्घ्य समर्पण मंत्र) ॐ एहि सूर्य सहस्त्रांशो तेजोराशे जगत्पते । अनुकम्पय मां भक्त्या गृहाणार्घ्यं दिवाकर ॥ Om Ehi Surya Sahasramsho Tejorashe Jagatpate, Anukampaya Mam Bhaktya Grihanarghyam Divakara Meaning: O thousand-rayed Sun God, repository of supreme light, Lord of the universe! Have compassion upon your humble devotee and accept this sacred water offering (Arghya). ## Regional Celebrations & Heritage Diverse cultural and spiritual traditions across Bharat and worldwide Bihar & Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Patna, Varanasi, Gorakhpur) Ghat Sajavat & Kosi Seva Millions converge on the Ganga and Sarayu river ghats. Families light 24-36 earthen lamps inside pyramidal clay structures (Kosi) at home and ghats, singing traditional folk songs (Chhathi Maiya Ke Geet). Nepal (Janakpur & Terai Region) Janakpurdham Chhath Celebrated on the historic ponds (Ganga Sagar & Dhanush Sagar) of Janakpur with grand cultural reverence and cross-border participation. Metropolitan & Global Diaspora (Delhi, Mumbai, USA, London, Mauritius) Community Waterbody Arghya Devotees gather at created water reservoirs, beaches (Juhu Beach in Mumbai), and community centers maintaining the strict 36-hour waterless vows. ## Traditional Bhog & Sacred Offerings Sacred food offerings prepared with devotion 🍯 Thekua (Deep-fried whole wheat, jaggery, ghee, and fennel seed cookies) 🍯 Rasiya (Jaggery-infused rice kheer made with fresh sugarcane juice/milk) 🍯 Whole sugarcane stalks with leaves (Ganna) 🍯 Kasari (Millet/rice flour sweet preparations) 🍯 Daubh Nimbu (Giant sweet grapefruit) 🍯 Fresh coconut, banana bunches, sweet potato, and water chestnuts (Singhara) ## Authentic Scriptural References ✦ Rigveda — Mandala 1, Sukta 115 (Surya Sukta) ✦ Markandeya Purana — Surya Mahatmya ✦ Brahma Vaivarta Purana — Prakriti Khanda (Devasena/Shashti Devi) ✦ Mahabharata — Vana Parva (Draupadi Surya Aradhana) ## Fasting & Parana Guidelines ✓ The Vrati observes an unbroken 36-hour waterless (Nirjala) fast starting from the morning of Day 3 through the sunrise of Day 4. ✓ All food is cooked on traditional mud stoves (Chulha) using mango wood, with strict physical and mental sanctity.