Chhath Puja Begins with Nahay-Khay Ritual

Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya, begins today with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khay, marking the start of the four-day celebrations.

Observed with deep devotion and spiritual discipline, the festival involves strict fasting, ritual bathing, traditional food preparation and prayers offered at riverbanks and ghats. On Nahay-Khay, devotees take a holy bath, clean their homes and kitchens, and prepare food while maintaining the highest standards of purity and cleanliness.

A traditional highlight of the first day is the preparation of Kaddubhaat, a special prasad typically made with bottle gourd and rice. The ritual marks the beginning of the sacred observances, as devotees prepare for the upcoming days of fasting and prayers, culminating in offerings to the setting and rising Sun.

Chhath Puja celebrates gratitude, faith, nature and the life-giving energy of the Sun, bringing families and communities together in a spirit of devotion.