Chhath Puja 2025: Four Days of Sun Worship and Sacred Water Rituals Begin in October

Chhath Puja, a major Hindu festival honouring Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, will take place from Saturday, 25 October to Tuesday, 28 October in 2025. The event is most widely observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. Millions are expected to participate, gathering at riverbanks and water bodies for rituals and prayers.

The festival begins on the first day with devotees taking a holy dip in rivers or clean water sources. After bathing, they eat a simple vegetarian meal as part of the purification process.

On the second day, participants observe a full-day fast. At sunset, they prepare and offer a special prasad to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun. This marks the start of the more intense devotional practices.

The third day is the most significant. Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening, just before sundown, to perform the Arghya—a ritual water offering to the setting Sun. The atmosphere is filled with hymns, prayers, and collective devotion.

The final day begins before sunrise, when devotees offer the morning Arghya to the rising Sun. After this, they break their long fast by sharing prasad and fruits. The festival concludes with communal celebrations, reinforcing bonds and renewing hope for the future.

The main tithi (Shashthi Tithi) falls between 06:04 AM on 27 October and 07:59 AM on 28 October. Alongside rituals, many devotees take part in cleaning ghats and promoting environmental care, reflecting the festival's emphasis on purity and gratitude.

Chhath Puja is a time of deep devotion, self-discipline, and community spirit. The rituals highlight humanity's connection to the Sun and natural cycles. While exact attendance figures remain unofficial, the festival's scale and cultural significance continue to draw millions each year.