Chhath Puja: offerings to the setting and rising sun

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival honouring the Sun God, revered as a source of life, energy and light.

Twice a year

Devotees worship the Sun twice a year, in Chaitra (March–April) and Kartika (October–November), seeking long life, prosperity and wellbeing. It is the only festival that honours both the setting and the rising sun.

Four days of rituals

1. Nahay Khay: a holy dip in a river, collecting Ganges water and thoroughly cleaning the home.
2. Kharna: a day-long fast, broken in the evening after worshipping Mother Earth, with offerings of kheer and fruit.
3. Sandhya Arghya: at sunset, devotees gather on riverbanks to offer arghya to the setting sun, with folk songs and performances.
4. Usha Arghya: the offering to the rising sun, breaking the fast and sharing prasad with family and neighbours.

Where

In Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially along riverbanks.

When

In autumn, between October and November, and in spring.

An echo on the mat

Sun Salutation, Surya Namaskar, is also a way of giving thanks for the light that gives us life.

Source: Incredible India – Chhath Puja.

Image: Steffen Gauger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.