Where Faith Touches the Horizon of Light

Hello dear friends,

As the soft golden light of dawn touches the eastern sky, millions of hearts across India prepare for one of the most soulful festivals of faith and purity — Chhath Puja.

It is more than a ritual. It is a moment when humanity bows before nature, when devotion finds expression not in words but in silence, endurance, and light.

This year, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from October 25th to October 28th, 2025 — four sacred days filled with fasting, prayers, and gratitude to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi).

A Festival Rooted in Light and Discipline

Originating in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath Puja has now transcended regions and languages.

It unites people through simplicity and sincerity. Wherever you find water and sunlight, you will find the essence of Chhath.

The word Chhath comes from Shashthi — the sixth day after Diwali. Devotees worship the Sun, the eternal giver of energy and life, and his divine consort Usha, the goddess of dawn, who awakens the world with light and hope.

Legends That Illuminate Its Origin

Ancient scriptures tell us that Chhath Puja was first observed in gratitude to the Sun God when life began to flourish on Earth. The Brahma Vaivarta Purana mentions Shashthi Devi, the motherly protector of children, as an embodiment of this divine power.

In the Ramayana, after returning from exile, Lord Rama and Sita offered prayers to Surya Dev to express their thankfulness.

And in the Mahabharata, Karna, the radiant son of the Sun God, is said to have performed this worship, standing waist-deep in river water as he offered his reverence.

Through these stories runs a common truth — the festival celebrates gratitude, discipline, and the sacred connection between man and nature.

The Inner Meaning

Chhath is perhaps the most disciplined and spiritually demanding festival of all. There is no idol worship, no priestly rituals — only faith, purity, and surrender. It is about renouncing comfort to experience clarity, about learning that the greatest offering is a pure heart.

In the simple act of standing before the Sun with folded hands, there lies an entire philosophy — that we are nourished not just by sunlight, but by humility, patience, and gratitude.

The setting Sun is worshipped first — a beautiful reminder that endings deserve reverence too.

And when the rising Sun is greeted the next morning, it symbolizes the unbroken circle of life — where faith never truly sets.

The Four Days of Devotion

1. Nahay-Khay (The Day of Purification):
   Devotees begin by bathing in a river or pond and eating a single pure meal — usually rice, bottle gourd, and chana dal — cooked in a sanctified space. It marks the cleansing of body and soul.
   
2. Kharna (The Day of Fasting and Offering):
   The second day is one of complete fasting without water, from sunrise to sunset. At night, the fast is broken with gur ki kheer, roti, and fruits, shared with family members.
   
3. Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering):
   As twilight descends, devotees gather on riverbanks or near water bodies to offer Arghya to the setting Sun.
   
   The sight is breathtaking — women dressed in saffron and red sarees, holding bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, and the fragrant Thekua. The air resonates with folk songs and the gentle sound of waves — devotion becomes melody.
   
4. Usha Arghya (Morning Offering):
   Before sunrise on the final day, devotees once again offer Arghya to the rising Sun.
   It is a sacred dialogue between the worshipper and creation itself — a prayer for health, peace, and harmony.

When the first rays of sunlight touch the water, and the reflection of folded hands meets the golden glow, something eternal awakens within.

This Year at Home

This year, I am fortunate to be in my hometown for Chhath Puja. Though in earlier years we celebrated by the river, this time a small sacred pond has been prepared at home.

The atmosphere is radiant — homes are cleaned, lamps are lit, and the fragrance of jaggery and ghee fills the air. Thekua — that humble, crisp, and divine sweet — is being made with love and shared with neighbors.

Even as rituals unfold, what truly binds the community is the spirit of togetherness — everyone contributes, from preparing offerings to decorating the ghat, to singing the age-old songs that echo through generations.

Beyond Rituals — A Philosophy of Living

Chhath teaches us the art of stillness. In a world rushing endlessly, it invites us to pause — to stand quietly, to breathe, and to feel the Sun’s warmth not only on our skin but within our hearts.

It reminds us that spirituality is not about renunciation of life, but reverence for it. Every offering made to the Sun is also an offering to our own inner light.

As the last Arghya is offered and the songs fade into morning, what remains is peace — deep, silent, luminous.

In Gratitude to the Light

In the end, Chhath Puja is not merely about worship; it is about awakening — to our connection with nature, to the rhythm of the universe, and to the divine light that dwells within us all.

May Surya Dev bless every heart with health and strength.
May Chhathi Maiya shower her grace on every family.
And may this festival remind us — always — to live with gratitude, humility, and love.

Happy Chhath Puja to all! 🌞🪔🙏

BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE

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Tags: #Celebration, #ChhathPuja, #creativity, #Festival of Bihar, #happiness, #Love, #wellness, health