Chhath Puja 2023 Start And End Date: Chhath Puja is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. The Chhathi Maiya puja that spans over four days is dedicated to the Sun God and his sister Usha. It is unique because it is the only Vedic festival performed to honour the Sun God. During the festival, women observe fast and perform various rituals to thank Surya Devta for bestowing his gracious rays on the Earth and nurturing life on the planet.
Chhath Puja? is a festival that celebrated six days after Diwali, which starts on the Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha, and is celebrated till Saptami Tithi. It starts with ¡®Nahay Khay¡¯ and ends with ¡®Usha Arghya¡¯.
Know everything related to the four-day long Chhath festival, dates of Chhath Puja, auspicious time, timing of sunrise and sunset, significance and day-wise schedule:
This year, Chhath Puja 2023 will be celebrated from Friday, November 17 to Monday, November 20. The four-day festival honors the Sun God Surya and involves fasting, prayers, and offerings to the Sun God.
| Chhath Puja Rituals | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| Chhath Nahay Khay | Friday, November 17 |
| Lohanda and Kharna | Saturday, November 18 |
| Sandhya Arghya | Sunday, November 19 |
| Usha Arghya | Monday, November 20 |
The four-day festival starts with the Chhath Nahay Khay, which will be celebrated on Friday, November 17 this year. The second day is Lohanda and Kharna which will take place on Saturday, November 18. On the evening of the third day, Sunday, November 19, Sandhya Arghya will be offered to the Sun God. The festival will end with the offering of Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on the morning of the fourth day on Monday, November 20, 2023.
Here is the detailed schedule of Chhath Puja 2023:
This is the first day of the festival and involves taking a holy bath in the river or a pond. Devotees also prepare the prasad for the next day.?According to Drik Panchang, the sunrise time for this day is 6:45 AM and the sunset time is 17:27 PM.
This is the second day of the festival and involves a strict fast. Devotees eat only one meal, which is made of rice and gur (jaggery). They also prepare the prasad for the next day.?According to Drik Panchang, the sunrise time on this day is 6:46 AM and the sunset time is 17:26 PM.
This is the third day of the festival and involves offering arghya (prayers) to the setting sun. Devotees stand waist-deep in water and offer prayers to the Sun God.?According to Drik Panchang sunrise and sunset are scheduled for 6:46 AM and 5:26 PM respectively.
This is the fourth and final day of the festival and involves offering arghya (prayers) to the rising sun. Devotees stand waist-deep in water and offer prayers to the Sun God. They then break their fast and eat the prasad that they have prepared.?According to Drik Panchang, the sunrise time on this day is 6:47 AM and the sunset time is 17:26 PM.
The rituals of Chaiti Chhath Puja vary from region to region, but some common rituals include:
Taking a bath in the Holy river:?This is a symbolic cleansing of the body and mind.
Fasting:?Devotees fast for the entire day on Kharna and Usha Arghya.
Offering prayers to the Sun God:?This is the most important ritual of the festival.
Making offerings to the Sun God:?Devotees offer prayers, flowers, fruits, and sweets to the Sun God.
Seeing the Sun God:?Devotees break their fast after seeing the Sun God at sunrise.
| City | Sunset Timings |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 5:27 PM |
| Gaya | 5:02 PM |
| Patna | 5:00 PM |
| Ranchi | 5:03 PM |
| Noida | 5:26 PM |
| Samastipur? | 4:57 PM |
| Aurangabad | 5:49 PM |
| Lucknow | 4:52 PM |
| Pune | 5:27 PM |
| Bhagalpur | 4:54 PM |
| Darbhanga | 4:56 PM |
| Bengaluru | 5:50 PM |
| Bhopal | 5:35 PM |
| Raipur | 5:29 PM |
| Chennai | 5:39 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:00 PM |
| Chandigarh | 5:25 PM |
| Kanpur? | 5:28 PM |
| Prayagraj | 5:15 PM |
| Hyderabad | 5:40 PM |
| Kolkata | 5:00 PM |
Q: What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya. It is mainly observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal. The festival involves a series of rituals performed over four days.
Q: When is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja is typically celebrated in October or November, on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Kartika.
Q: What are the main rituals of Chhath Puja?
The main rituals of Chhath Puja include taking a holy dip in the river, fasting, offering prayers to the Sun God during sunrise and sunset, and making special offerings known as 'prasad' using traditional methods.
Q: Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja is celebrated to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and seeking blessings for well-being, prosperity, and longevity. It is also a way to thank the Sun for providing energy for agriculture.
Q: What is the significance of fasting during Chhath Puja?
Fasting during Chhath Puja is considered a way of cleansing the mind and body. Devotees observe a strict fast and abstain from drinking water as they offer prayers to the Sun God.
Q: Can Chhath Puja be celebrated at home?
While Chhath Puja is traditionally celebrated on riverbanks, it can also be observed at home. Devotees can create a makeshift water body, such as a pond or tank, to perform the rituals. The key is to maintain the purity of the environment.
Q: Is Chhath Puja only for women?
No, Chhath Puja is not gender-specific. Both men and women can observe and participate in the rituals. It is a family-oriented festival where everyone, irrespective of gender, can take part.
Q: How long does Chhath Puja last?
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival. The main rituals are performed on the third and fourth days, known as Kharna and Surya Shashthi, respectively. Devotees start their preparations from the first day, Nahay Khay, and conclude with Paran on the last day.
Q: What are the offerings made to the Sun God?
The offerings made to the Sun God include:
Paan: Betel leaves with areca nut and other spices.
Aam: Mangoes.
Kheer: Rice pudding.
Butter: Ghee.
Milk: Doodh.
Water: Jal.
(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)
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