Chhath Puja
The ancient sun festival of Bihar, standing in water to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun.
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival centered on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Kartika, about six days after Diwali, usually in late October or November.
When Is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival centered on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Kartika, about six days after Diwali, usually in late October or November.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Chhath is an ancient festival, often linked by devotees to Vedic sun worship, dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with extraordinary devotion involving standing in river water for hours to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun.
How It Is Observed
Four days: bathing and one meal; complete fast; offerings to setting sun at riverbanks; dawn offerings to rising sun. The devotion and austerity of Chhath is among the most intense in Hinduism.