The Chhath Puja festival celebrates the bond between nature and humanity and honours the Sun God. This festival is celebrated very enthusiastically every year in the Northern part of India. Chhath Puja is a significant festival celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya (the goddess of fertility and life), this festival spans four days of rituals, fasting, and devotion.
According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be observed from November 5, 2024 (Tuesday) to November 8, 2024 (Friday), according to Drik Panchang. Here’s a detailed calendar of the festivities along with sunrise and sunset timings for each day.
Day |
Date |
Festival |
Sunrise Time |
Sunset Time |
Day 1: Tuesday |
November 5, 2024 |
Chaturthi (Nahay Khay) |
6:36 am |
5:33 pm |
Day 2: Wednesday |
November 6, 2024 |
Panchami (Lohanda and Kharna) |
6:37 am |
5:32 pm |
Day 3: Thursday |
November 7, 2024 |
Shashthi (Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya) |
6:38 am |
5:32 pm |
Day 4: Friday |
November 8, 2024 |
Saptami (Usha Arghya, Parana Day) |
6:38 am |
5:31 pm |
The festival begins on Chaturthi with Nahay Khay, where devotees cleanse themselves by taking a holy dip in rivers or water bodies. This day is all about purification and preparation for the rituals to follow. The food prepared on this day is strictly vegetarian, often including the traditional kadhi and rice.
Sunrise: 6:36 am
Sunset: 5:33 pm
On the second day, known as Panchami, the rituals become more intense. Devotees observe a fast from sunrise until sunset, breaking it only after performing the Kharna ritual in the evening. During Kharna, offerings of kheer (rice pudding) and roti (flatbread) are made to the Sun God. Devotees observe nirjala vrat, on this day, going without food or water from sunrise to sunset. The day represents the cleansing of both the body and the mind.
Sunrise: 6:37 am
Sunset: 5:32 pm
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The third day, Shashthi, is the main day of Chhath Puja. Devotees prepare for the Sandhya Arghya in the evening, where offerings are made to the setting sun. Families gather at riverbanks, offering thekua (sweet fried dough), sweets, and fruits while singing traditional songs. This ritual is a time for deep devotion and connection with nature.
Sunrise: 6:38 am
Sunset: 5:32 pm
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The final day of Chhath Puja, Saptami, is marked by the Usha Arghya ritual at dawn, where devotees offer prayers and offerings to the rising sun and Chhathi Maiya. After completing the rituals, devotees break their 36-hour fast, marking the end of the festival. The culmination of Chhath Puja is a time for families to celebrate together, expressing gratitude for health and prosperity.
Sunrise: 6:38 am
Sunset: 5:31 pm
Whether you’re planning to celebrate this festival at home or by a riverbank, the spirit of Chhath Puja is sure to inspire a sense of devotion. Happy Chhath Puja.
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