What is Chhath Puja and why is it celebrated?

Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival, mainly celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and parts of Nepal. It is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and to Chhathi Maiya (also called Shashthi Devi) - a goddess associated with children, family welfare and nature.

Why it’s celebrated:

• It expresses gratitude to the sun for sustaining life on earth. The Sun gives energy, drives seasons, supports crops - so people thank Surya for life itself.
• It seeks blessings for health, long life, prosperity and well-being of family and children. Chhathi Maiya is invoked for protection of progeny and children’s welfare.
• It is about purity, discipline, harmony with nature and community unity. The rituals involve fasting, standing in waters of rivers, offering ‘arghya’ (water offerings) at sunrise and sunset, which symbolise respect for natural elements.
• Families (often women leading) get up early, clean river-banks or ponds, prepare special offerings (fruits, sweets, thekua), fast, and stand in water at dawn (and dusk) to offer prayers to Sun and Goddess all in the spirit of dedication.
• Chhath Puja is nature-worship + family-devotion + community ritual all rolled into one; it’s not just a big party, it’s a serious spiritual commitment with heart and tradition.