Chhath Puja is one of the most spiritual and powerful Hindu festivals. It is celebrated mainly in states such as Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and parts of Nepal. The Chhath Puja festival is dedicated to Chhatthi Maiya and Lord Surya. The festival stands out as the only Hindu festival where devotees worship both the rising and the setting sun. 

The origin of Chhath Parv dates back to ancient times. It is linked with several Hindu mythological stories. 

• For instance, some find the origin linked to the times of the Mahabharata. According to this story, when recommended by Rishi Dhaumya, the Pandavas and Draupadi performed similar rituals to regain their lost kingdom.
  
  

• Another legend connects the Chhath festival to Lord Ram and Maa Sita. It is believed they observed the fast and performed the rituals to thank Lord Surya for their well-being.
  
  

• Some legends also tell the story of King Priyavrat and his wife Malini. According to this story, the couple worshipped Goddess Shasthi and were blessed with a beautiful baby boy after enduring all the hardships. 

The Chhath festival is a four-day celebration filled with customs and rituals. Here is how each day is observed:

1. Day 1: Nahay Khay

Day 1 begins with the Nahay Khay, where devotees take a dip in the holy river. Families prepare satvik bhojan. One of the most common meals served is Kaddu-chawal and channa dal. Food is generally prepared in bronze or clay utensils. Many ladies fast on this day. 

2. Day 2: Kharna or Lohanda

This is the second day of the Chhath Puja celebration. On this day, devotees observe a strict, full-day fast that breaks after sunset. Fasting women prepare the prasad of kheer and chapattis, and break their fast with the same. From here begins the 36 hours of nirjala vrat observed until Usha Arghya. 

3. Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

This is the third day of the Chhath celebration, where devotees make prasad and offer it to the setting sun while standing waist-deep in a river or water body. A bamboo soop (basket) is prepared with the thekua, bananas, coconut, sugarcane, and more as prasad and offering. 

4. Day 4: Usha Arghya

This is the final ritual of Chhath Puja, where devotees reach the riverbank before sunrise and offer prasad and water to the rising sun. After this, Vratis break their 36-hour fast. This ritual is called Paran. 

Here are important dates for Chhath Puja 2025. 

Performing rituals during the auspicious muhurat enhances the energy of Chhath Puja.  Here are details on the Chhath Puja muhurat. 

Chhath Puja is a festival of faith, purity, and devotion. It is an eco-friendly celebration teaching the lessons of sustainability and gratitude. Spiritually, it also connects your soul with nature and its forces.

Devotees do the Chhath Parva for the following reasons: 

• Expressing gratitude towards nature 

• For the fertility and protection of your children

• Protecting family health and vows

• For spiritual detox and positive transformation

If you're planning to experience the authenticity and culture of the Chhath Puja celebration, here are some popular destinations to visit: 

1. Patna, Bihar

Patna is one of the most popular cities in Bihar. You can visit the Ganga ghats, such as Collectorate Ghat or Adalat Ghat, and witness the celebrations. Check out some popular routes to Patna below:

2. Gaya, Bihar

Gaya is another popular destination where devotees celebrate Chhath alongside the Falgu River. Thousands of devotees gather to perform rituals filled with chants and devotion. Book Patna to Gaya Bus on redBus 

3. Varanasi, UP

Chhath Puja is also celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm along the Ganga ghat in Varanasi. Here, devotees celebrate the festival with music, tradition, and enthusiasm. Check out some popular routes to Varanasi below:

4. Ranchi, Jharkhand 

If you're looking to engage in local culture and celebrations, you can also visit Ranchi. It hosts several events related to Chhath around this time. 

Check out some popular routes to Ranchi below:

Here is how to reach these popular destinations during Chhath Puja: 

• By Bus

Easy and direct connectivity to cities like Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi with buses with redBus. 

• By Rail

Each of these cities is well-connected to several other cities and states via rail routes. Tickets can be booked conveniently with redRail. 

• By Air

Cities like Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi have well-connected airports, making domestic and international travel easy and convenient. 

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