Oct 22,2024
Chhath Puja is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God. It is widely celebrated in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Nepal. The festival spans four days, and the key rituals involve offering prayers to both the setting and rising sun. Devotees, particularly women, observe fasts and offer prayers for the health and well-being of their family members.
Chhath Puja starts with the Nahay-Khay ritual, observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the Kartika month. The following day marks the beginning of Kharna, which primarily involves fasting. According to astrologer and Vastu expert Rakesh Chaturvedi, the festival will conclude on the morning of November 8, with the offering of Arghya to the Sun God.
Key Dates and Timings for Chhath Puja
Astrologer Rakesh Chaturvedi shares the following auspicious dates and timings for Chhath Puja:
– The first day, November 5, begins with the Nahay-Khay ritual. This ritual starts at sunrise, around 6:36 am, and concludes at sunset, around 5:33 pm.
– The second day, November 6, is when Kharna is observed. The auspicious timing for this ritual is between 6:37 am and 5:32 pm.
– The third day, November, 7 involves the performance of Sandhya Arghya, starting at sunrise (6:38 am) and ending at sunset (5:32 pm).
– The final day, November 8, marks Usha Arghya. This ritual begins at 6:38 am and ends at 5:31 pm.
Two key rituals, Nahay-Khay and Kharna, are considered essential during Chhath Puja. Nahay-Khay purifies the mind and body, while Kharna marks spiritual purification. These two rituals set the stage for the main events of the festival: Arghya and Usha Arghya.