One of the oldest Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja, is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh as a way to express gratitude to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for sustaining life on Earth.
The four-day celebration celebrates the sun's rise and set. In addition to asking for blessings for pleasure, prosperity, and good health, devotees give thanks to Surya Dev for maintaining life.
The sacred fasting journey begins with devotees cleansing their bodies and homes, taking a holy dip in rivers, and eating simple, Satvik food.
To demonstrate their dedication and cleanse themselves, observers break their fast in the evening with offerings of chapati, fruits, jaggery, and kheer.
While standing in water with diyas and fruits, devotees say evening prayers to the setting Sun, giving thanks for life, health, and wealth.
The last day is praying to the rising Sun, asking for blessings for the health of the family, and concluding the fasting customs.
The story of Chhath Puja begins with Draupadi and Karna, who conducted it to ask for divine favours such as health, strength, and release from adversity.
The celebration honours the Sun as the everlasting source of light, energy, and life that all living things depend on, and it represents harmony with nature.
Devotees are reminded to live in harmony with nature and to express gratitude for the Sun's everlasting benefits through the teachings of discipline, purity, and gratitude that come from Chhath Puja.