What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is an ancient four-day festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. It is celebrated with great devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and by communities from these regions around the world.
Four days of devotion
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, when devotees fast all day and eat kheer in the evening. The third day is the evening arghya to the setting sun, and the festival ends on the fourth morning with an arghya to the rising sun.
What makes it special
Devotees, called vratis, stand in rivers and ponds holding bamboo baskets filled with thekua, fruits and sugarcane. The festival is known for its strict discipline and purity, and for folk songs sung by the whole community.