Happy-Chhath-Puja

Chhath Puja –  What Makes This Festival So Dear to the Purvanchali Heart

GK & Current Affairs for CLAT | CLAT Current Affairs 2026

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Introduction

Chhath Puja — one of the most spiritually rich and ecologically significant festivals of India — marks an ancient tradition of paying reverence to the Sun God (Surya), the source of all life and energy. It is celebrated primarily in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, regions collectively known as Purvanchal.

Over the last decade, however, the festival has transcended regional boundaries and become a pan-Indian cultural celebration, visible in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, wherever the Purvanchali diaspora lives.

The festival stands out for its simplicity, austerity, and inclusiveness, bringing together people across caste, class, and creed lines to collectively worship nature’s energy cycle — the rising and setting Sun.

For CLAT 2026 aspirants, Chhath Puja represents not just cultural awareness but also a profound example of constitutional secularism and cultural pluralism, values that law students must understand deeply as part of India’s legal and ethical fabric.

Why in News

  • October 28, 2025, marked the conclusion of this year’s Chhath Puja with millions of devotees across India and Nepal offering arghya (offerings) to the rising Sun.
  • The festival’s celebration this year saw record participation even in urban centers like Delhi and Noida, with special arrangements made along riverbanks such as Yamuna Ghat and Hathi Ghat.
  • This cultural resurgence reflects how Chhath Puja has evolved from a regional celebration into a national symbol of eco-spiritual devotion.
  • The Indian Express article highlights the rituals, beliefs, and unifying power of this festival that binds millions of Purvanchalis both emotionally and spiritually.

Beliefs Behind Chhath Puja

  1. A Four-Day Festival Dedicated to the Sun
    • Chhath Puja spans four days and is dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and his wives Usha and Pratyusha, representing the first and last light of the day.
    • Devotees fast rigorously, abstaining even from water, and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in a river, pond, or other water bodies.
  2. Ancient Origins
    • The term Chhath derives from “Shashthi” — the sixth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (October–November).
    • The festival is mentioned in ancient Vedic texts, where nature worship formed an essential part of spiritual life.
  3. Vedic and Mythological Roots
    • References to Sun worship appear in the Rig Veda, one of the world’s oldest scriptures, where hymns glorify Surya as the sustainer of life.
    • Legends also connect the festival to the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Mythological Connections

  1. The Ramayana Connection
  • It is believed that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed a fast and offered arghya to the Sun God upon their return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
  • This act symbolized gratitude for life and renewal after struggle — a key moral of the Chhath tradition.
  1. The Mahabharata Connection
  • When the Pandavas were in exile, Draupadi was advised by the sage Dhaumya to perform rituals in honor of the Sun for relief and restoration.
  • Following her prayers, Draupadi’s wishes were fulfilled — reinforcing the festival’s association with faith, purity, and healing.
  1. The Surya-Karna Legend
  • Karna, son of the Sun God and Kunti, is said to have performed special rituals to honor Surya.
  • This myth reinforces the theme of filial devotion and the moral duty of remembering one’s divine origins.

How Chhath Puja is Celebrated

Chhath Puja starts six days after Diwali, symbolizing the continuation of light and purity.

The four days of Chhath are as follows:

  1. Naha Khay (The Cleansing Day)
  • Devotees take a holy dip in rivers or ponds, symbolizing purification.
  • They consume only one meal — usually pumpkin sabzi and arwa chawal (plain rice) — cooked in bronze or earthen pots.
  • This marks the beginning of the spiritual detox.
  1. Kharna (The Day of Fasting and Gratitude)
  • Observed on the second day, devotees maintain a strict fast without water until sunset.
  • After sunset, they eat kheer (rice pudding) and roti made of jaggery, marking the end of this phase.
  • The fast symbolizes endurance, patience, and cleansing of desires.
  1. Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering to the Setting Sun)
  • On the third day, devotees offer arghya to the setting Sun at riverbanks or lakes, thanking it for sustaining life.
  • Ritual offerings include seasonal fruits, sugarcane stalks, coconuts, and thekua (a traditional baked sweet).
  • Women wear traditional sarees in saffron or yellow, symbolizing purity.
  1. Usha Arghya (Morning Offering to the Rising Sun)
  • The final ritual occurs at dawn, when devotees again offer prayers to the rising Sun, marking the end of Chhath.
  • The ritual is symbolic of hope and renewal — affirming the belief that every dusk is followed by dawn.

The Symbolism Behind Chhath

  1. Worship of Nature and the Cosmos
    • The festival honors the Sun (Surya) as the ultimate source of energy and life on Earth.
    • It symbolizes a balance between humans and nature, resonating with modern environmental ethics.
  2. Spiritual Discipline and Austerity
    • Devotees practice self-restraint, cleanliness, and sincerity, making Chhath a yogic and meditative experience.
  3. Social Harmony
    • Chhath transcends caste and class divisions.
    • There are no priests; every devotee can perform the rituals directly, symbolizing spiritual equality.
  4. Women Empowerment
    • The festival sees significant participation by women, who lead the rituals and fasting — representing strength, resilience, and devotion.

Cultural and Regional Significance

  1. Purvanchal’s Heartbeat
    • Chhath is deeply ingrained in the cultural psyche of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
    • It represents gratitude toward the Sun for agricultural abundance and family well-being.
  2. Diaspora Identity
    • Migrants from Bihar and UP celebrate Chhath with equal enthusiasm in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Dubai, keeping their traditions alive far from home.
  3. Eco-Spiritual Connection
    • The use of natural materials (bamboo baskets, fruits, earthen lamps) underscores the festival’s sustainable ethos.
  4. Inclusiveness
    • People of all backgrounds — rich or poor — participate equally, reaffirming India’s pluralistic cultural character.

What Makes Chhath Unique

  • No Priests Involved:
    Anyone can perform the rituals, making it one of the most egalitarian Hindu festivals.
  • Purely Devotional:
    The offerings are simple, locally sourced, and seasonal — reinforcing eco-friendly practices.
  • Faith Over Formality:
    What matters in Chhath is faith and sincerity, not wealth or social status.
  • Connection to Natural Elements:
    Water, air, sunlight, and earth — the Panch Tatvas (five elements) — are worshipped through every act.

Philosophical Message of Chhath

At its core, Chhath Puja delivers a profound philosophical message:

“Everyone is equal before the rising Sun.”

  • As devotees offer arghya at dusk, they thank nature for its cycle of life and death.
  • As they pray again at dawn, they celebrate hope, continuity, and renewal.
  • The rising Sun signifies justice, truth, and awakening — core values enshrined in India’s constitutional morality.

Why Chhath Puja Matters Today

  1. Environmental Relevance
  • In an age of climate change, Chhath Puja’s eco-consciousness — using biodegradable items and natural offerings — has great modern significance.
  1. Social Cohesion
  • In diverse urban spaces, the festival creates a sense of community, transcending caste and economic divisions.
  1. Representation of Feminine Strength
  • The festival’s lead participants are women — symbolizing feminine resilience, discipline, and spiritual leadership.
  1. Cultural Continuity
  • Amid rapid modernization, Chhath acts as a cultural anchor for migrants and second-generation Purvanchalis.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja is more than a festival — it is a philosophy of life.
It celebrates nature, honors the rhythm of sunrise and sunset, and emphasizes the equality of all humans before divine forces.

For CLAT 2026 aspirants, understanding Chhath Puja means understanding constitutional pluralism, ecological justice, and secular respect for diversity — all of which form the moral backbone of India’s legal system.

In a world grappling with materialism and ecological crises, Chhath Puja offers a timeless reminder:

Faith, simplicity, and sustainability are the true lights of civilization.

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