Chhath Puja 2024: Know date, puja timings, history, and significance of Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya

It involves a long fast without water and offerings to Usha and Pratyusha, the rising and setting sun while standing in a water body.

Chhath Puja is also known as Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi and Surya Shashthi. With the festival approaching, here’s all you need to know—from date to timings, significance, and more.

Happy Chhath Puja 2024: Best wishes, quotes, status, SMS, messages, and greetings 

Chhath Puja 2024: Date and Timings

Chhath Puja, celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month, typically in October-November, is a four-day devotional period to the Sun God.

This year, Chhath Puja will be observed on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

The shashthi tithi begins at 02:11 PM on November 6 and ends at 02:04 PM on November 7, as per Drik Panchang.

The expected sun timings for the day are as follows:

• Sunrise on Chhath Puja Day: 06:37 AM
• Sunset on Chhath Puja Day: 04:51 PM

Here’s a 4-day calendar for Chhath Puja 2024, as per Drik Panchang:

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of Chhath Puja with purification rituals. Devotees prepare a simple meal, usually consisting of lauki (bottle gourd) and rice.

On the second day, that is Lohanda and Kharna, devotees fast throughout the day and prepare offerings like kheer (sweet rice pudding) to break their fast after sunset.

On the days of Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya, devotees offer Arghya (water and flower offerings) to the setting sun in a sacred ritual that symbolises gratitude and connection with the divine.

Happy Chhath Puja 2024: Share wishes, images, quotes, status, photos, and greetings

The final day, which is Usha Arghya and Parana Day, involves offering Arghya to the rising sun, concluding the four-day festival with communal prayers and the distribution of prasad.

Chhath Puja 2024: Origin, Significance, Rituals

Chhath is observed with several beliefs, with some believing it is a result of ancient man worshipping nature.

After Lord Ram and Goddess Sita’s victory, they observed a fast and conducted a yagna for the Sun god.

Another belief stems from the Mahabharata: when the Pandavas were in exile, Draupadi sought help from Sage Dhaumya, who advised her to fast and pray to the Sun. In the same epic, Karna organised a ceremony in honour of Surya, his father.

Devotees perform rituals before ‘Kharna Puja’ on the second day of the ‘Chhath Puja’ festivities, in Ranchi, last year. (PTI Photo)

Chhath Puja holds profound significance in Hindu tradition, embodying a deep respect for the Sun God, Surya, and his vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

The festival is observed with the belief that offering prayers and performing rituals for Surya can bring health, prosperity, and well-being to devotees and their families.

The Sun God is revered as a source of energy and vitality, and Chhath Puja emphasises the connection between celestial bodies and earthly existence.

Additionally, the festival’s theme is that everyone is equal in God’s eyes, that nature feeds us and deserves to be honoured, and that twilight is as vital as morning since life is cyclical and what goes down may and will come back up.

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