Chhath Puja 2025: Rituals, Dates & Spiritual Significance
Published: October 26, 2025
Introduction
Are you planning to take part in Chhath Puja 2025 and wondering exactly how it’s done? In this article I’ll walk you through everything: the dates of Chhath Puja 2025, why the festival lasts four days, what each day means, why we worship the Sun God, the full list of puja items, step-by-step rituals, tasty prasad recipes, and how people in metro and modern cities manage the festival.
What are the Dates of Chhath Puja 2025?
Soak yourself in divinity from Saturday, 25 October 2025 through Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
| Day | Name of the Day | Date (2025) | What’s Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nahay-Khay | Sat, 25 October | Bathing & first satvik meal |
| Day 2 | Kharna | Sun, 26 October | Day-long fast, evening prasad |
| Day 3 | Sandhya Arghya | Mon, 27 October | Evening offering to setting Sun |
| Day 4 | Usha Arghya & Parana | Tue, 28 October | Morning offering to rising Sun, break fast |
Why Four Days? What Is the Significance?
- Day 1 (Nahay-Khay): Purification through bath and satvik meal.
- Day 2 (Kharna): Fasting and prasad offering.
- Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya): Evening water offering to setting Sun.
- Day 4 (Usha Arghya & Parana): Morning offering and fast-breaking.
The four-day span reflects a journey of purification → devotion → offering → renewal.
Why Worship the Sun (Surya Dev)?
- The Sun is the source of energy, life and light.
- Surya Dev is worshipped for health, vitality and prosperity.
- Chhathi Maiya, sister of Surya, is also honoured.
- Symbolically, the Sun represents clarity and consciousness.
Step-by-Step Ritual Guide
Day 1: Nahay-Khay
- Morning bath in clean water body.
- Clean puja area, gather traditional vessels.
- Prepare satvik meal: rice, chana dal, pumpkin.
Day 2: Kharna
- Strict fast during the day.
- Evening prasad: kheer and chapatis.
- Enter full fast post offering.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya
- Gather near water body before sunset.
- Offer arghya to setting Sun.
- Traditional basket with fruits, thekua, coconut, diyas.
Day 4: Usha Arghya & Parana
- Early morning offering to the rising Sun (Usha) at riverbank or symbolic water vessel.
- Fast is broken (Parana) with family and friends after sunrise.
- Devotees receive blessings by touching the feet of the person performing the puja.
- Prasad is distributed widely to relatives, neighbours, and even strangers.
Sindoor is applied to all married ladies from the nose till the hair parting.
Checklist: Puja Items for Chhath Puja
- Clean water body or symbolic vessel
- Earthen/metal vessels
- Seasonal fruits: bananas, singhara, sweet potato, radish, sugarcane
- Thekua and satvik sweets
- Aromatic rice, milk, chapatis
- Sugarcane juice or segments
- Red thread (mauli), copper/peetal lota
- Yellow/orange cloths, diyas, incense, ghee/oil
- Fresh flowers: marigold, lotus
- Bamboo basket (soop), prayer mala
- Clean puja platform (riverbank or terrace)
Prasad Recipes
Thekua (Sweet Wheat-Jaggery Biscuit)
- Mix wheat flour, melted jaggery, ghee, cardamom, salt into tight dough.
- Shape discs using thekua mould.
- Deep-fry in ghee until golden brown.
- Cool and place in offering basket.
Kheer
- Cook rice in milk on low flame until soft.
- Add chopped dry fruits (optional).
- Sweetness comes from aromatic rice.
- Offer warm or room-temperature.
Satvik Pumpkin Rice (Day 1 Meal)
- Saute pumpkin cubes in ghee with cumin seeds.
- Add washed rice and chana dal, salt, water.
- Cook until done. Eat as single meal.
Fruit Basket & Sugarcane Offering
- Arrange chopped fruits, sugarcane, green leaves, sindoor, thekua, diya in basket.
- Used for arghya offering on Day 3 and Day 4.
Metro-Friendly Celebration Tips
- Use terrace or rooftop with sunrise/sunset view.
- Use large clean tub for symbolic bathing.
- Prepare satvik items in clean kitchen.
- Invite neighbours for prasad sharing.
- Use eco-friendly diyas, avoid fireworks.
- Stream folk songs or vrat katha online.
- Use bowl of water on balcony for arghya.
Why Make Prasad in Large Quantity?
- To share with community and guests.
- Symbolizes gratitude and generosity.
- Supports large gatherings on Day 3 & 4.
- Reinforces hospitality and bonding.
Legends of Chhath Puja
- Karna (son of Surya) performed arghya in Mahabharata era.
- Pandavas and Draupadi fasted to regain kingdom.
- Festival honors nature, harvest, purification.
Spiritual Importance of the Sun
- Sun is source of life, energy, growth.
- Arghya symbolizes life cycle and renewal.
- Represents inner light and consciousness.
- Morning rituals promote health and wellbeing.
- Connects personal and cosmic cycles.
Conclusion
Chhath Puja 2025 is a chance to honor nature, cleanse body and mind, and strengthen community ties. Whether by river or rooftop, the spirit of Chhath can thrive in every home.
If this guide helped you, share it with friends and comment below with your city and favorite prasad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the dates of Chhath Puja 2025?
Chhath Puja 2025 will be celebrated from Saturday, October 25 to Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Each day holds unique spiritual significance and rituals.
2. Why is Chhath Puja celebrated for four days?
The four-day ritual reflects a spiritual journey: purification, devotion, offering, and renewal. Each day aligns with nature’s rhythm and cosmic symbolism.
3. Why do we worship the Sun during Chhath Puja?
Surya Dev is the source of life, energy, and consciousness. Offering arghya to the Sun symbolizes gratitude, vitality, and alignment with higher purpose.
4. What is the significance of Chhathi Maiya?
Chhathi Maiya, sister of Surya Dev, is revered for blessings of health, fertility, and protection. She is honored alongside the Sun during the rituals.
5. How do metro families celebrate Chhath Puja?
In cities, devotees adapt rituals using balconies, terraces, bathtubs, and symbolic water vessels. The spirit remains intact through devotion and community gatherings.
6. Can I celebrate Chhath Puja if I live in a city without access to a river or pond?
Yes. You can use a terrace or balcony, keep a clean tub of water, face the rising or setting sun, and perform the arghya and rituals. The intent matters more than the location.
7. Is it mandatory to fast without water (nirjala) on Day 2?
While the traditional observance includes the strict fast, devotional sincerity is far more important. Many adapt according to health and circumstances, honouring the ritual in spirit counts.
8. Can men also perform Chhath Puja?
Yes. Though traditionally women (vratis) lead the fasting and rituals, many men now join or co-perform with family. The festival is inclusive.
9. Why is the prasad shared in large quantity?
Because sharing strengthens communal bonds, shows generosity and ensures the blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya reach the wider community. It’s part of the tradition of abundance.
10. What should I wear during Chhath Puja?
Simple, clean, and sattvik. Many choose yellow, orange, light pastel colours. The focus is on purity and devotion. The vratis are dressed in simple, clean and new clothes.