Puja guide
Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya)
The supreme Vedic mahaparv dedicated to Lord Surya and Goddess Chhathi Maiya across 4 rigorous days: Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya for family longevity, progeny, and health.
Significance & Scriptural Context of Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya)
Chhath Puja (also celebrated as Surya Shashthi, Dala Chhath, and Chhathi Maiya Pujan) is universally recognized as the most austere, spiritually pristine, and environmentally harmonious Vedic mahaparv of Sanatan Dharma. Rooted in ancient Rigvedic solar traditions and the epic Mahabharata (where Karna and Draupadi worshipped Lord Surya), Chhath is dedicated to Lord Surya—the visible divine soul of the universe (Pratyaksha Devata)—and Goddess Shashthi (Chhathi Maiya), the benevolent cosmic foster mother and protector of children.
Spanning four intense days of fasting, self-purification, and river communion, the vrata is unique because it worships both the setting sun (Pratyusha / Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya). Ancient sages realized that the cosmic transition during sunrise and sunset produces healing solar radiation that cures chronic skin ailments, bestows long life to progeny, removes generational poverty, and awakens supreme mental clarity.
The observance requires absolute cleanliness, mental silence, and strict waterless fasting (Nirjala Vrata for 36 hours). For millions of Purvanchali, Bihari, and Maithil families residing in apartments, foreign countries, or away from the sacred Ganga, performing the full Daura ritual on a natural riverbank can be logistically challenging. VisitTemples coordinates authentic Chhath Mahaparv Seva directly at holy Ganga Ghats in Patna and Deoghar, where verified purohits and devotee families present your consecrated Daura, offer holy Arghya in your family's Name and Gotra, and deliver authentic Thekua prasad and video proof.
Performing or sponsoring this mahaparv dissolves generational Pitru doshas, grants boon of healthy offspring (Santan Prapti), cures long-standing illnesses, and fills the home with unshakeable spiritual strength.
What is Included in the Authentic Vedic Vidhi
- Day 1 Nahay Khay: Ganga snana sankalp and traditional Satvik meal offering (Kaddu-Bhat)
- Day 2 Kharna: Full-day waterless fast followed by sacred Rasiyaav (Jaggery-Kheer) and Roti offering to Sun God
- Day 3 Sandhya Arghya: Dedicated bamboo Daura preparation with 16 sacred fruits, sugarcane stalks, and Thekua
- Sunset Ganga snana with standing knee-deep water Arghya offering with raw cow milk and Ganga jal
- Day 4 Usha Arghya: Pre-dawn river communion with golden solar offering to the rising Lord Surya
- Chhath Vrata Paran with ginger and water, followed by blessing distribution
- Individual family Sankalp with Name & Gotra live on video
- High-definition video documentation sent on WhatsApp
Auspicious Timings
Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya) Shubh Muhurat & Tithi Schedule
Accurate panchang dates and Pradosh Kaal windows calculated according to traditional Hindu calendar.
Step-by-Step Guide
Complete Vedic Vidhi & Sequence for Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya)
The authentic liturgical sequence followed by certified Vedic Purohits to ensure full spiritual fruit.
Nahay Khay (Purity & Preparation)
Vratis take a purificatory dip in sacred waters, wash all cooking vessels with Ganga jal, and prepare Lauki (bottle gourd) curry, Arwa rice, and Chana dal in rock salt and pure desi ghee.
Kharna Vrata & Rasiyaav Kheer
Vratis maintain strict silence and waterless fast from dawn to dusk. After sunset, a new earthen stove (Mitti ka chulha) fueled with mango wood is used to cook sacred Jaggery Rice Kheer (Rasiyaav).
Thekua & Traditional Prasad Preparation
Under strict cleanliness and singing traditional folk songs ('Uga Ho Suruj Dev'), whole wheat flour, pure ghee, dry fruits, and jaggery/sugar are kneaded to shape sacred Thekua cookies on carved wooden molds.
Daura & Soop Decoration
Woven bamboo baskets (Daura) and winnowing trays (Soop) are decorated with vermilion (Sindoor) and packed with Thekua, Kasar laddoos, seasonal fruits, sugarcane with leaves, coconuts, and lighted earthen lamps.
Ghat Shobhayatra & Sandhya Arghya
Family members carry the sacred Daura on their heads to the river ghat in procession. Standing knee-deep in the water, the Vrati offers continuous Arghya to the setting Sun using raw cow milk and sacred water.
Kosi Bharai (Nocturnal Vow)
Families with special vows assemble 24 sugarcane stalks into an auspicious canopy at home or ghat, place 24 earthen lamps, and sing devotional songs throughout the night.
Usha Arghya & Solar Awakening
Before daybreak, devotees return to the river. As the golden rays of the rising Sun touch the water, the final Arghya is presented with conch blows and Vedic chants, invoking life and healing.
Paran & Blessings
The fast is broken by sipping raw milk, water, and ginger root. Vratis bless elders and younger ones with long vermilion (Bhojpuri Sindoor ritual) and distribute the divine Thekua prasad.
Samagri Checklist
Sacred Items (Samagri) Required for Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya)
Everything needed for the altar, offerings, panchamrit, and havan. (All arranged by VisitTemples for online bookings).
Sacred Chants
Powerful Vedic Mantras for Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya)
Recite these potent stotras during the puja to invoke divine grace, remove obstacles, and seek abundance.
Surya Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भास्कराय विद्महे दिवाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्यः प्रचोदयात् ॥
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Divakaraya Dhimahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat ||
Meaning: May we meditate upon the glorious Sun God, the creator of light and day; may that divine Surya inspire and illuminate our intellect and soul.
Surya Arghya Stotram
एहि सूर्य सहस्त्रांशो तेजोराशे जगत्पते । अनुकम्पय मां भक्त्या गृहाणार्घ्यं दिवाकर ॥
Ehi Surya Sahasransho Tejorashe Jagatpate | Anukampaya Mam Bhaktya Grihanarghyam Divakara ||
Meaning: O Sun God, who possesses thousands of brilliant rays, supreme ocean of effulgence and lord of the creation, have compassion upon me and graciously accept this holy Arghya.
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Chhath Puja, performed in your name
Our pandit performs Chhath Puja in Patna and takes your family's names in the sankalp. You get the video proof on WhatsApp within 24 hours.
Chhath 2026
Chhath Puja
Patna · Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev
Puja in 14 days
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Chhath Puja (Surya Shashthi & Chhathi Maiya): Common Questions & Vidhi Details
What are the 4 days of Chhath Puja 2026, and what are their dates?
Chhath Puja 2026 begins on Friday, 13 November (Day 1: Nahay Khay), followed by Saturday, 14 November (Day 2: Kharna), Sunday, 15 November (Day 3: Sandhya Arghya at sunset), and concludes on Monday, 16 November (Day 4: Usha Arghya at sunrise).
Can I sponsor or book Chhath Puja online if I live abroad or away from home?
Yes. Many NRI devotees in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and families in Indian metros cannot observe the 36-hour nirjala fast or access holy river ghats. Through VisitTemples, you can sponsor a dedicated bamboo Daura with complete Thekua, sugarcane, and sacred fruits. Our Purohit and Vrati families offer both Sandhya and Usha Arghya at holy Ganga Ghats in your family's Name and Gotra, with complete live video documentation.
Why is the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) worshipped first in Chhath?
Sanatan Dharma teaches respect for completion, old age, and departure as much as beginnings. Worshipping the setting sun honors Pratyusha, acknowledging that darkness is merely a bridge to renewal. It teaches humility, patience, and gratitude for all that sustained life during the day.
What makes Thekua prasad so sacred in Chhath Puja?
Thekua is made with whole wheat flour, pure desi cow ghee, cardamom, dry coconut, and jaggery on an unpolluted earthen chulha using mango firewood. It contains zero artificial ingredients and is prepared with absolute hygiene while singing sacred folk hymns. It stays fresh for weeks without preservatives.
Who can keep the Chhath Vrata?
Anyone—women, men, young or elderly—can observe Chhath without caste, gender, or social distinction. Once undertaken, families typically maintain the tradition annually with utmost reverence.
Will I receive the sanctified Chhath Thekua prasad by courier?
Yes. For all our online Daura and Arghya seva bookings, fresh sanctified Thekua, sacred Ganga jal, holy dry fruits, and orange Chhath sindoor are packed in airtight food-grade boxes and couriered straight to your doorstep across India and worldwide.