Chhath Puja 2025 Explained: Dates, sacred rituals and the significance of the holy bath
Learn Chhath Puja 2025 dates, rituals, and the deep spiritual meaning of the holy bath
When the golden light of sunrise touches the riverbanks of Bihar and Jharkhand, the air becomes alive with devotion. Thousands of devotees dressed in bright colours stand silently in the water, eyes closed, palms folded in prayer. They wait for the Sun to rise, not only to worship it but to thank it for sustaining life. This is Chhath Puja, one of India’s most ancient and spiritually rich festivals. It is a celebration of purity, discipline and faith, expressed through gratitude to the Sun, the source of all energy.
In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from October 25 to October 28, with the main holy bath and evening Arghya on Monday, October 27, 2025. The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, the goddess who blesses families with prosperity, health and harmony. This four-day ritual is not only a festival but a moment of deep connection between human beings, nature and the cosmic source that gives life to all.
Chhath Puja 2025 Dates and Timings
Main Chhath Puja Day: Monday, October 27, 2025
Sunrise: 6:30 am
Sunset: 5:40 pm
Shashthi Tithi Begins: 6:04 am on October 27, 2025
Shashthi Tithi Ends: 7:59 am on October 28, 2025
These timings are significant because devotees offe_r Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) on October 27 and Usha Arghya (morning offering) on October 28._ During this period, devotees observe a 36-hour fast, symbolising faith, willpower and surrender to divine energy.
Chhath Puja 2025: The Four Sacred Days
Every day of Chhath Puja has a purpose. Each ritual teaches simplicity, purity and gratitude for the forces of nature.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat)
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, which means ‘to bathe and eat.’ On this day, devotees take a holy dip in a river, pond or stream and prepare a pure vegetarian meal. This meal, cooked in clean utensils and made with rock salt or no salt at all, marks the start of the sacred journey. Homes are cleaned thoroughly, diyas (lamps) are arranged, and fruits are prepared for the following rituals. Nahay Khay represents purification of the body and mind. It sets the tone for the days ahead by reminding devotees to maintain cleanliness, simplicity and sincerity in all actions.
Day 2: Kharna (Fasting and Offering)
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Kharna is a day of self-discipline and inner peace. Devotees fast from sunrise to sunset without even drinking water. As the evening arrives, they prepare a special prasad made from jaggery, rice and milk. This offering is first dedicated to Chhathi Maiya, and then shared with family and neighbours. The act of sharing food after fasting symbolises humility, forgiveness and community. It is believed that by observing Kharna with purity and devotion, all negative thoughts are cleansed and the heart becomes calm and receptive.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering to the Setting Sun)
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Sandhya Arghya is the most emotional and visually stunning part of Chhath Puja. As the Sun begins to set, families gather on riverbanks with beautifully decorated baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, betel leaves and thekua, a traditional sweet made from wheat and jaggery.
Standing waist-deep in water, devotees offer Arghya to the setting Sun while singing devotional songs and chanting mantras. The sight of thousands of diyas floating on the river under the glowing orange sky is truly divine. It is said that during this time, the energy of the Sun is at its most soothing and spiritually potent, blessing those who worship with faith. Sandhya Arghya teaches gratitude. By offering water to the setting Sun, devotees express thanks for the light that nourishes all life on Earth.
Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering to the Rising Sun)
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The final day of Chhath Puja begins before dawn. Devotees gather once again to offer prayers and water to the rising Sun. The morning rays represent new beginnings, healing and the victory of light over darkness. After this offering, devotees break their 36-hour fast and share prasad, marking the successful completion of their vow. Families return home with hearts full of gratitude, peace and renewed faith. The festival ends with joy, music and a sense of harmony that binds communities together.
The Spiritual and Scientific Significance of Chhath Puja
The Sun has always been seen as the ultimate symbol of energy, balance and life. The Vedas describe it as the soul of the universe, and modern science confirms that without sunlight, life on Earth would not exist.
During Chhath Puja, devotees directly face the Sun during sunrise and sunset, the two moments when solar rays are mild and beneficial. Standing in water during these times helps improve energy flow, boost immunity and enhance mental clarity.
The seven horses of the Sun’s chariot represent the seven colours of light that carry healing energy. These rays power photosynthesis, which produces oxygen and nourishes every living being. Morning sunlight is also a rich source of Vitamin D, essential for healthy bones and a strong immune system. In this way, Chhath Puja beautifully combines spirituality with science. It reminds us that honouring nature is the same as honouring life itself.
Sacred Rituals and Their Meaning
Every ritual performed during Chhath Puja carries deep symbolism.
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Holy Bath: Cleansing the body and mind to prepare for divine energy.
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Offering Arghya: Pouring water to the Sun as a gesture of humility and gratitude.
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Fasting and Silence: A test of focus and spiritual endurance.
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Lighting Diyas: Spreading light to remove inner darkness.
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Sharing Prasad: Promoting unity, positivity and love among communities.
Mantras and Meditation During Chhath Puja
Chanting mantras at sunrise and sunset aligns body, mind and spirit with the solar energy that sustains all life. Two of the most powerful chants used during Chhath Puja are:
Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah
Chant this to invite vitality, focus and strength.
Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
Recite or listen to this mantra for inner peace, clarity and wisdom.
The vibrations of these mantras are believed to purify the surroundings, calm the mind and open the heart to gratitude. You can also listen to and chant along with these mantras on AstroSure.ai for a guided spiritual experience that deepens your connection with the divine.
Why Chhath Puja Matters Today
In today’s world, where technology and routine often distance us from nature, Chhath Puja 2025 reminds us to reconnect with what truly sustains us. It is a celebration of patience, mindfulness and environmental respect. Even in cities, people recreate the rituals on rooftops, balconies or near artificial water bodies. What matters most is devotion, not location. Chhath Puja teaches that gratitude, simplicity and sincerity are timeless values. It strengthens family bonds and nurtures a spirit of collective faith and joy.
Chhath Puja is a celebration of balance, light and gratitude. As devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun, they honour the eternal rhythm of life, the cycle of giving, receiving and renewal. It is a time to slow down, to recognise the beauty of nature and to remember that the same sunlight that nourishes the world also shines within us.
