Chhath Puja: Sun Worship, Rituals & Regional Flavor

When celebrating Chhath Puja, a four‑day Hindu festival honoring the Sun god Surya and his consort Usha. Also called Surya Puja, it blends devotion, community and seasonal gratitude. The core of Sun worship in this tradition involves sunrise and sunset rites performed on riverbanks. Most celebrations happen in Bihar, where families gather to sing folk songs and prepare Thekua, a jaggery‑sweet that defines the festive palate. These elements link the festival to broader Indian cultural currents, such as regional cuisines, seasonal harvests and community solidarity.

Timing is key: the first day, Nahai Khai, starts with a ritual bath and a strict fast. The second day, Kharna, sees devotees abstain from water while offering prayers to the Sun at dawn. The most visible moments arrive on the third and fourth days, where participants stand waist‑deep in water, raise their arms, and chant "Krodh Nivaran, Dukh Bhanjan" as the Sun rises and sets. Each act reflects a semantic triple: Chhath Puja encompasses sunrise rituals, sunrise rituals require pure water, and pure water reinforces communal purity. The rhythmic pattern of prayer and immersion creates a powerful visual that draws crowds from nearby villages and cities alike.

Food is the heart of the celebration. Besides Thekua, families bake roti without oil, cook kachari (a lentil stew), and offer sweetened rice pudding called kheer. The dishes are prepared without onion, garlic, or any non‑vegetarian ingredient, honoring the purity of the fast. Preparing these items is a communal activity—women gather early, knead dough together, and exchange stories while the aromas fill the neighborhood. This shared kitchen experience underlines another semantic link: traditional food reflects regional culture and regional culture shapes festival identity. The taste of Thekua, crisp and sweet, instantly signals the arrival of Chhath Puja to anyone who’s grown up in the region.

Music and language add a vibrant layer. Folk songs called bhajans and sohar echo in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi dialects, recounting myths of Surya and praising the earth’s bounty. Young people learn these chants in school, ensuring the oral tradition survives. Singing while standing in water creates a chorus that resonates across the river, turning the ritual into a living theater. Here we see a relation: Chhath Puja shares the theme of devotion with Navratri—both involve nightly worship, communal singing, and a focus on divine feminine energy.

Environmental stewardship is woven into the ceremony. Devotees clean the riverbanks before the rites, collect waste, and avoid plastic. The practice reflects an ancient understanding that respecting nature enhances the worship of the Sun, who sustains all life. Modern organizers often coordinate with local municipalities to ensure safe water levels, especially during monsoon fluctuations. This connection shows that Chhath Puja influences local environmental initiatives, highlighting how cultural festivals can drive community‑level sustainability.

In recent years, the festival’s popularity has spilled into urban centers like Delhi and Kolkata, where migrants recreate the riverbanks in parks or community halls. The shift has sparked a new market for Thekua and related sweets, driving a modest rise in gold purchases as families gift gold ornaments during the celebration. A 2025 report noted that gold prices spiked around the festival, echoing the traditional belief that gold brings prosperity. This economic ripple illustrates a triple: festival timing impacts market demand, market demand raises gold prices, and gold prices affect household budgeting during the festival.

Financial planning also surfaces during the Chhath season. Many households, after receiving seasonal earnings from agriculture, align their tax filing (ITR) timelines with the festival to maximize deductions before the fiscal year closes. Advisors suggest settling tax dues early to avoid penalties that could diminish the festive budget. Thus, the ritual calendar subtly guides personal finance decisions, linking cultural observance with practical budgeting.

All these facets—rituals, food, music, environmental care, economic patterns, and financial timing—make Chhath Puja a multifaceted celebration that resonates across generations. Below, you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into each of these aspects, from the symbolism of sunrise worship to the modern challenges of celebrating in megacities. Browse through to uncover stories, tips, and insights that enrich your understanding of this vibrant Indian festival.