Chhath Puja 2024: A Complete Guide to the Festival, Rituals, Significance, and Date
Get ready for Chhath Puja 2024! Discover the rituals, significance, dates, and customs of this grand festival dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Learn how to celebrate and observe the key events of Chhath Puja this year.”
Chhath Puja, one of the most revered festivals in India, is celebrated with great fervor and devotion, especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and other parts of North India. This ancient festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (the Goddess of fertility). The year 2024 marks a special occasion for Chhath Puja, with celebrations set to begin with Nahay Khay and culminate in the final rituals on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Chhath Puja 2024—its significance, rituals, dates, and the meaning behind each custom.
What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is an ancient Vedic festival that celebrates the Sun God and his consort, Usha, the Goddess of dawn. Devotees believe that worshipping Surya and Chhathi Maiya grants health, prosperity, and blessings for the well-being of their family. The festival spans four days and involves strict fasting, rituals, and prayers. The main highlight of Chhath Puja is the offering of prayers while standing in water, either in rivers, ponds, or other bodies of water, at sunrise and sunset.
Chhath Puja 2024 Dates and Timeline
Chhath Puja is celebrated annually in the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls in October or November. In 2024, the festival is expected to take place from November 6 to November 9. Here’s the detailed schedule of events for Chhath Puja 2024:
- November 6, 2024 – Nahay Khay (First Day)
The first day of Chhath Puja involves cleaning the body and the environment, followed by taking a holy dip in a river or lake. The devotees eat a simple meal of rice, lentils, and pumpkin. This marks the start of the ritual fasting period. - November 7, 2024 – Kharna (Second Day)
On the second day, after fasting the entire day, devotees perform a puja in the evening and break their fast with ‘Kharna,’ which includes consuming a simple meal made of rice, jaggery, and kheer (sweet dish). - November 8, 2024 – Chhath Puja (Main Day)
The third day of Chhath Puja involves the main ritual, where devotees observe a full day of fasting, without food or water, and then offer prayers to the setting sun. Devotees prepare offerings like fruits, sweets, and the famous ‘thekua’ (a sweet made of wheat and jaggery) and place them in bamboo baskets called ‘Dala’. - November 9, 2024 – Paran (Final Day)
The final day involves offering prayers to the rising sun. After the rituals at sunrise, the fasting ends, and devotees partake in the food offerings. This concludes the four-day festival of Chhath Puja.
The Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja holds deep cultural and spiritual importance. It is believed that the worship of Surya Dev (Sun God) can bring peace, prosperity, and good health. The sun is considered the source of energy and life, and the prayers are a way of thanking him for the sustenance and vitality he provides.
Moreover, Chhath Puja is a symbol of devotion, unity, and family bonding. The festival is widely observed by women, who fast for the well-being of their families, and it is also a way of expressing gratitude for the harvest season. The rituals are known to purify the body and mind, aligning oneself with nature and the divine.
Detailed Rituals of Chhath Puja 2024
1. Nahay Khay (First Day)
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, a day where devotees cleanse themselves physically and spiritually. The day starts with a bath in a river or other water source to purify the body. Afterward, they prepare a simple meal consisting of rice, lentils, and pumpkin, which is consumed after offering prayers to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya. The purpose of this ritual is to mark the commencement of the purification process and to enter the festival in a state of cleanliness and devotion.
2. Kharna (Second Day)
The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna, where the devotee completes a full day of fasting and then breaks the fast at dusk. The puja performed on this day is dedicated to Lord Surya and includes offerings of rice, jaggery, and kheer. After the puja, devotees eat these offerings and prepare for the fasting and rituals of the third day, when the main worship will occur.
3. Chhath Puja (Main Day)
The third day of the festival is when the actual Chhath Puja is observed. Devotees fast without food or water, standing in water bodies like rivers or ponds to offer prayers. They face the setting sun and make offerings of fruits, sweets, and thekua while singing devotional songs and hymns dedicated to Surya and Chhathi Maiya. The offerings are then placed in a special vessel called ‘Dala,’ which is carried to the water’s edge for the ritual.
4. Paran (Final Day)
The final day of Chhath Puja, known as Paran, begins with the rising sun. Devotees gather at the water’s edge again to offer their final prayers and make offerings to the sun. After performing the rituals, they break their fast and partake in the food offerings that were made during the puja. The festival concludes with a sense of renewal and a deep connection to the divine.
Rules and Customs to Follow During Chhath Puja 2024
Chhath Puja is unique because it is a strict ritual, and adherence to customs is key. Some of the important guidelines to follow during Chhath Puja include:
- Fasting: Devotees, especially women, observe strict fasting during the festival, abstaining from food and water. The fast is broken only after the rituals on the second and final day.
- Purification: Cleanliness is of utmost importance. Devotees cleanse themselves and their surroundings before performing the rituals.
- Offerings: Only freshly prepared food is offered, and nothing that is stale or leftover is used. The offerings include fruits, sweets, and thekua.
- Water Rituals: Devotees stand in water, either in rivers or ponds, during the rituals to offer prayers to the Sun God.
- Respecting Elders: As with most Hindu festivals, honoring elders is an essential custom during Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja and Its Impact on Communities
Chhath Puja is not just a family celebration but also a community event. It brings people together, strengthens social bonds, and fosters a sense of unity. The festival is often observed with neighbors and relatives coming together to perform rituals and share meals. People also decorate their homes, streets, and temples with lights and flowers, making the atmosphere festive.
Chhath Puja 2024 – A Global Celebration
While Chhath Puja is predominantly celebrated in India, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it is also observed by Indian diaspora communities around the world. From the United States and the United Kingdom to countries like Nepal, Mauritius, and Fiji, Chhath Puja is a global celebration. Many communities organize collective prayers at designated locations, with members of the community coming together to participate in the rituals.
Conclusion: The Spirit of Chhath Puja 2024
Chhath Puja 2024 will bring together millions of devotees across India and beyond to celebrate the Sun God and seek his blessings. This festival is a time for spiritual renewal, family bonding, and communal harmony. The rituals may vary slightly by region, but the essence remains the same: gratitude for the life-sustaining energy of the sun and the hope for health, prosperity, and happiness.
As Chhath Puja 2024 approaches, it’s an excellent opportunity to reflect on the values of devotion, discipline, and gratitude that this ancient festival represents. Whether you’re participating in the rituals for the first time or have been celebrating it for years, the significance of this festival will continue to inspire generations to come.
1. When is Chhath Puja in 2024?
Chhath Puja 2024 will be celebrated from November 6 to November 9. The main day of the festival, known as Chhath Puja, falls on November 8, 2024.
2. What is the significance of Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, the Goddess of fertility. It is believed that worshipping Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya during this festival brings health, prosperity, and blessings to the devotee and their family. The rituals purify the mind and body and express gratitude for the life-sustaining energy of the sun.
3. How many days does Chhath Puja last?
Chhath Puja lasts for four days. The four days include Nahay Khay (November 6), Kharna (November 7), Chhath Puja (November 8), and Paran (November 9).
4. What are the main rituals during Chhath Puja?
The main rituals include fasting, bathing in holy rivers, offering prayers at sunrise and sunset, standing in water to worship the Sun God, and making offerings such as fruits, sweets, and thekua. On the last day, the fast is broken after offering prayers to the rising sun.
5. Can men participate in Chhath Puja?
While Chhath Puja is predominantly observed by women, especially mothers, men can also participate in the rituals. Many men take part in the rituals, particularly in regions where the festival is celebrated communally.
6. What food is prepared during Chhath Puja?
Food prepared during Chhath Puja includes simple vegetarian dishes. The thekua, a sweet made from wheat, jaggery, and coconut, is one of the most popular offerings. Other items include fruits, rice, and kheer (sweet dish). Only freshly prepared food is used in the rituals.
7. Why is cleanliness important during Chhath Puja?
Cleanliness is considered essential in Chhath Puja as it symbolizes purity of the mind, body, and soul. Devotees cleanse their homes, surroundings, and themselves before performing any rituals to ensure they are in a state of spiritual purity.
8. How is Chhath Puja celebrated in different parts of the world?
While Chhath Puja is mostly celebrated in India, it is also observed by the Indian diaspora in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Mauritius, and Nepal. Many of these communities gather at designated locations to perform the rituals and offer prayers to the Sun God.
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