Chhath Puja
A rigorous four-day observance of gratitude to the Sun God, offered at the riverbank at sunset and sunrise.
Significance
Chhath Puja is a demanding four-day festival of thanksgiving offered to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, invoked for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of one's family. Deeply rooted in the traditions of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the festival is known for its rigorous discipline: devotees, called vratis, observe a strict fast without even water for extended stretches, culminating in offerings made while standing in a river or water body at sunset and again at sunrise. Unlike many festivals centred on temple idols, Chhath is unique in its direct worship of the sun itself.
How temples may observe it
Chhath Puja is centred less on temple sanctums and more on riverbanks, ponds, and specially built ghats, where devotees gather in large numbers for the sunset and sunrise arghya (offerings). Many Surya temples nonetheless hold special prayers and host devotees preparing prasad — typically thekua and seasonal fruits — offered in bamboo baskets (soop). Some temple complexes with adjoining water bodies become major gathering points, with temple trusts often helping organise ghats, lighting, and safety.
Frequently asked
Why is Chhath Puja considered especially rigorous?
Vratis observe a demanding fast that can extend over 36 hours without food or water, along with standing in water for prolonged offerings, making it one of the most physically disciplined festivals in the Hindu calendar.
Do I need to visit a specific temple for Chhath Puja?
Not necessarily — Chhath is traditionally performed at a riverbank, pond, or other water body, though some devotees also visit Surya temples for additional prayers; local customs vary by region.