Chhath Puja fall on November 17, 2023, with Nahay Khay, and wraps up on November 20, 2023, with Usha Argya. As per Drik Panchang, the Arghya for Chhath Puja 2023 is scheduled for November 19, 2023.
Chhath Puja 2023
This year’s Chhath Nahay Khay falls on Friday, November 17, marking the beginning of the Chhath Puja 2023 festivities. The following day, Saturday, November 18, is dedicated to Lohanda and Kharna. Sandhya Arghya will be offered to the Sun God on Sunday, November 19, during the evening.
The festival concludes on Monday, November 20, 2023, on the morning of the fourth day, with the offering of Usha Arghya to the rising Sun. According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is observed twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and once in the month of Kartik.
Chhath Puja 2023: Schedule
Nahay Khay: On the first day, Nahay Khay, devotees bathe in a lake or stream before eating a simple lunch. Sunrise is at 6:45 a.m., and sunset is at 17:25 p.m. (17 November 2023).
Kharna: On the second day, known as Kharna, devotees fast for the entire day before indulging in a delicious meal. The sunrise time on November 18, 2023 is 6:46 AM, and the sunset time on November 20, 2023 is 17:26 PM.
Arghya: On the third day, devotees offer prayers to the Sun God at dawn and twilight. Sunrise occurs at 6:46 a.m. and sunset is at 17:26 p.m. (19 November 2023).
Usha Arghya: On the fourth and final day, devotees offer prayers to the Sun God in honor of Usha Arghya. On 20 November 2023, the sunrise time is 6:47 AM and the sunset time is 17:26 PM.
Chhath Puja Vidhi
Chhath Puja, an ancient and significant celebration in India, honors the sun deity and the wonders of nature. Widely observed in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, this festival holds great cultural importance.
Nepal’s Terai region also marks Chhath Puja as a prominent day of worship. It is a historical occasion for expressing reverence, performing rituals, and dedicating oneself to the sun, seen as the cosmic source of energy. Chhath Puja is celebrated across various states, known as Surya Shashti in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, and it is also observed in Nepal.
To prepare for Chhath Puja, gather necessary items and offer an arghya (ritual offering) to the Sun God. This includes three large bamboo baskets, chairs made of metal or bamboo, a plate, milk, thekua, malpua, kheer-puri, semolina pudding, rice ladoos, rice, red vermilion, a lamp, coconut, turmeric, sugarcane, suthani, vegetables, sweet potato, as well as pear, large lemons, honey, paan, a complete herd, caravans, camphor, sandalwood, and dessert.
Arghya of Chhath Puja 2023
Chhath Puja holds immense religious and cultural significance as a unique ceremony dedicated to worshipping the Sun deity through the ritual of arghya. Sun worship plays a vital role in Hinduism, considering the Sun as the only deity visible to us every day.
The precise timing of sunrise and sunset is crucial during the arghya ceremony. Sunlight is believed to have healing properties, contributing to the well-being of individuals. The positive influence of the sun is thought to bring prosperity, good health, and confidence. In Vedic astrology, the sun symbolizes aspects of the soul, parental connection, ancestral ties, respect, and holds significance in high government functions.
Celebration Chhath Puja 2023
The Chhath celebration, where people honor Chhathi Maiya, finds mention in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana. Legend has it that King Priyavrat, the son of the First Manu Swayambhu, faced the challenge of being childless, which left him feeling quite sad.
Upon the guidance of Maharishi Kashyap, he conducted a yajna to seek a son. Queen Malini indeed gave birth to a son after the yajna, but sadly, the child did not survive childbirth. This brought immense sorrow to the king and his family. It was at this moment that Mata Shashthi’s vessel appeared in the sky. Responding to the king’s prayers, she revealed herself as Shashthi Devi, the mental daughter of Lord Brahma.
What are the rules of Chaiti Chhath?
While Chaiti Chhath Puja rituals vary by area, certain regional customs are common:
- Taking a dip in the Holy River represents both spiritual and physical purification.
- During Kharna and Usha Arghya, devotees observe a full-day fast.
- The central ritual involves offering prayers to the Sun God.
- To honor the Sun God, devotees present prayers, sweets, fruits, and flowers.
- Breaking their fast at sunrise after witnessing the Sun God is a significant moment for devotees.
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