Chhath Puja – Mithila’s Devotion to the Sun God

Chhath Puja – Mithila’s Devotion to the Sun God

Among the many colorful festivals of Nepal, Chhath Puja stands apart for its purity, discipline, and spiritual intensity. Originating from the Mithila region and the southern plains of Nepal, Chhath is a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated especially by the Maithil and Tharu communities. यो चाड सूर्यको पूजा मात्र होइन, प्रकृति र श्रद्धाको अद्वितीय संगम हो।

📅 When is Chhath Celebrated?

Chhath is observed six days after Tihar, in the Nepali month of Kartik (October–November). It is aligned with the lunar calendar and follows closely after Bhai Tika.

The festival spans four days and includes strict fasting, holy bathing, standing in water, and offerings to the setting and rising sun.

🌞 Why Worship the Sun?

The Sun is considered the source of all life — giver of health, energy, and prosperity. Worshiping the Sun symbolizes gratitude for sustenance and a prayer for wellness. In Hindu philosophy, Surya is not just a planet, but a deity who rides a golden chariot.

Chhath Puja is also associated with Draupadi and Karna from the Mahabharata, who are believed to have performed the rituals for divine blessings.

🛕 Four Days of Rituals and Discipline

📍 Day 1: Nahay Khay

Devotees (especially women called vratini) begin by bathing in a holy river or pond and cleaning their homes. Only pure, satvik food is eaten — usually rice, chana dal, and pumpkin curry cooked in clay pots.

📍 Day 2: Kharna

This is the day of the nirjala vrat — fasting without even a drop of water. In the evening, devotees break the fast with kheer (sweet rice pudding), roti, and bananas after offering to the Sun. From this point on, they begin another fast — now without food or water — for the next 36 hours.

📍 Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Offering to the Setting Sun)

This is the most visually stunning day of Chhath. Devotees wear traditional clothes (usually orange or yellow), carry soop (bamboo baskets) filled with thekuwa, rice, fruits, and sugarcane, and walk to the riverbank.

As the sun sets, they stand in the water and offer arghya (water and fruits) with folded hands and deep devotion. Thousands gather near ponds and rivers like the Ganga Sagar Dham in Janakpur or local ghats in Terai districts. यो क्षण आध्यात्मिकता र प्रकृतिको एकताको प्रतीक हो।

📍 Day 4: Usha Arghya (Offering to the Rising Sun)

Before sunrise, devotees return to the same water bodies. As the first rays appear, they offer arghya again — this time to the rising sun, praying for new beginnings, good health, and peace.

Once complete, the fast is broken, and devotees share prasadi with family and neighbors. It’s a moment of relief, emotion, and spiritual satisfaction.

🌿 Thekua – A Sacred Offering

Thekua is a signature sweet of Chhath — a deep-fried cookie made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. It is prepared without onions or garlic and shaped using traditional wooden molds. यो प्रसादलाई अत्यन्त पवित्र मानिन्छ र देवतालाई चढाइन्छ।

🌍 Chhath Across Nepal and Abroad

Though most popular in Terai, Chhath is now celebrated across Nepal — including Kathmandu, where devotees gather at rivers like Bagmati and Kamalpokhari. Nepalis abroad in the U.S., U.K., Middle East, and Australia also build artificial ghats to continue the tradition.

The government has even recognized Chhath as a national holiday in recent years, highlighting its growing importance across all communities.

🧘 Symbolism and Spiritual Strength

Chhath Puja is more than rituals — it’s a test of willpower, purity, and devotion. Fasting for over 36 hours without water, standing in cold water at dawn and dusk — it is a display of both physical endurance and spiritual discipline.

It promotes eco-awareness, simplicity, and non-violence. Chhath is perhaps the only festival where no idol is used, and nature is worshipped directly.

💗 Emotional and Cultural Importance

For many families, Chhath is the most important celebration of the year. The entire household prepares for it — cleaning, cooking, and arranging rituals. घरमा आउने पाहुनालाई प्रसाद दिइन्छ, अनि पुरा समुदाय मिलेर घाट सजाइन्छ।

It’s a time of family bonding, neighborhood unity, and quiet reflection on health, humility, and hope.

🔚 Conclusion

Chhath Puja is not only a Mithila tradition — it is a national treasure of Nepal. It reflects devotion to nature, respect for discipline, and gratitude for life. Whether performed at a riverside in Janakpur or a rooftop tub in Sydney, Chhath binds people to their roots with rays of sunlight and prayers of love.

यो पर्वले हामीलाई सूर्यको जति सम्मान गर्नु पर्छ भन्ने कुरा सम्झाउँछ — किनभने उहाँ बिना जीवन सम्भव छैन।