Chhath Puja Holiday 2023 (Friday, 17th November 2023)

Chhath Puja festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Usha, and is observed over a period of four days. Chhath Puja holiday, also known as Surya Shashti, is a Hindu festival that is celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in the Nepal Terai. It is a festival of unity and harmony, where people of all castes and communities come together to celebrate. Let’s discover more about Chhath Puja 2023 and its significance!

When is Chhath Puja in 2023?

In 2023, the Kartik Chhath Puja holiday will be celebrated during the month of November, from 17th to 20th. Chhath Puja is celebrated twice a year, once during the month of Chaitra and once during the month of Kartik, these are based on the Hindu calendar. Chhath Puja dates are based on the Hindu calendar.

Chhath Puja 2023 Date

Chhath Puja 2023 Time and Muhurat

The muhurat for Chhath Puja 2023 is based on the shashthi tithi. It will start at 9:18 am on 18th November 2023, Saturday. It will end at 7:23 am on 19th November 2023, Sunday.  On the day of the Chhath Puja, 19th November, the sunrise will be at 6:46 am. The sunset on the same day will be at 5:26 pm. 

How is Chhath Puja Celebrated?

Chhath Puja holiday is celebrated with immense joy and devotion over four days. Each day has its own significance and a ritual associated with it. Here is how each day of Chhath is celebrated: 

Day 1 – Nahay Khay

On this day, people take a holy dip in the river or any other water body and begin their fast. They also prepare the prasad, which is offered to the Sun God, and make other necessary preparations for the festival.

Day 2 – Lohanda and Kharna

People continue their fast and prepare for the main ritual of the festival, the offering of arghya to the setting sun. They also perform traditional songs and dances, and the festival is marked by the lighting of lamps along the banks of the river. Kheer, banana, and rice, among other things are served as prasad. After this, the devotees observe a fast for the next 36 hours, without even consuming water. 

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya

This is the main day of the festival, during which devotees prepare the prasad all day, which is kept in a bamboo tray. During sunset, they take the prasad to a river bank and offer it to the sun God. The same can be done next to any water body, if you don’t live close to a river. On this day, the women typically wear yellow coloured sarees.

Day 4 – Usha Arghya

This is the last day of the festival. Devotees break their 36-hour fast on this day. They gather at the river bank or near any water body, and offer prayers to the rising sun. After the rituals, they share prasad with family and friends. 

Also Read

Maha Shivratri 2023 (Sat, Feb 18th 2023) – Celebration & Fasting Rules

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Holiday (Tuesday, 19th September 2023)

Chhath Puja Rituals

There are multiple rituals associated with Chhath Puja 2023. Fasting women observe the Nahay-Khay tradition on the first day of Chhath Mahaparva and then the following rituals are performed. 

• First and foremost taking a holy dip into the water and preparing sattvik food. On this day, daal bhat and lauki vegetables are prepared in the house, and rock salt is used.
•  During the initial fast kept on the first day of Chhath, devotees can have one meal throughout the day, that too of specified foods, such as fruits. After that, a 36-hour fast is observed. 
• During this vrat, the devotees cannot even have water till the fast concludes. 
• The prasad that is prepared involves fruits and dry fruits, jaggery, coconut, and ghee, among other things. All members of the family, as well as friends, prepare the prasad together. After the puja concludes, the prasad is shared with each other and eaten together. 

Significance of Chhath Puja

In the medieval period, Chhath Puja gained popularity among the common people and was celebrated with great fervor and devotion. It is also believed that during the British colonial period, the festival lost its significance and was almost forgotten. However, in the later years, it was revived by various social and cultural organisations and has since regained its popularity. 

Today, Chhath Puja is considered to be one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar, and it holds a special significance for the people of Bihar and Jharkhand, where it is a state festival. It is a festival that has stood the test of time, and continues to be celebrated with the same devotion and enthusiasm as it was in ancient India.

Chhath Puja Prasad

The prasad prepared during Chhath Puja is exceptionally delicious. It is made with jaggery, ghee, and atta (wheat flour). All of these ingredients are known to be highly nutritious, with a large amount of protein. 

Apart from this, many unique dishes and sweets are prepared to offer to the Gods. Some of them are Thekua and Rasia Kheer. 

Other things that are kept as prasad are, dry fruits, coconut, banana, dabh lemon, sugar canes, and special laddoos made of rice.   

Which States Celebrate Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in the Nepal Terai. 

1. Bihar

In Bihar, it is a state festival and is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. The people of Bihar, especially in the towns and villages along the banks of the river Ganga, celebrate Chhath Puja with traditional songs, dancing, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. 

2. Jharkhand

In this state, the festival is celebrated with the same devotion as in Bihar and is considered to be one of the most important festivals in the state. The festival is marked by a grand parade and the lighting of lamps along the banks of the river.

3. Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, the festival is celebrated mainly in the eastern districts along the banks of Ganga. This includes the towns of Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Ballia. People gather in large numbers to offer arghya to the Sun God, and the festival is marked by the distribution of prasad.

4. Nepal Terai

The festival is also celebrated in India’s neighboring country, Nepal, mainly in the Terai region. Many people from Nepal also participate in the celebrations in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Nepal, people gather on the banks of the rivers and offer arghya to the Sun God, and the festival is marked by traditional songs and dances.

Each place has its own unique rituals and customs associated with the festival. 

Also Read

Holi 2023 Festival Holiday (Wednesday, 8th March 2023)

Raksha Bandhan Holiday 2023 (Wed, 30th August 2023)

Why is Chhath Puja Celebrated?

Chhath Puja festival is a way to thank the Sun God for the bounties of nature and to seek his blessings for a good harvest and prosperity. The festival is also considered to be a way to purify the body and mind and to seek forgiveness for any sins or mistakes. The rituals of the festival, such as fasting and abstaining from water, are believed to help in purification and to bring discipline to the body and mind. Chhath Puja is also celebrated as a way to seek blessings for the well-being of family and loved ones. The festival is believed to bring good luck, health, and prosperity to the family. It is also a festival of unity and harmony, where people of all castes and communities come together to celebrate.

Chhath Puja Decoration in 2023

There are various ways to do the decoration for the Chhath Puja festival. These are a few things that are followed:

1. Rangoli

 Chhath Puja rangoli, which is also called Alapana, is made in the house during Chhath Puja. It is one of the most traditional ways to decorate your house by creating beautiful designs at the entrance of your home. Rangolis are made using coloured powders and can depict various designs, such as sun and moon motifs, as well as traditional symbols and patterns.

2. Diyas

 Decorating your house with diyas and candles is another popular way to celebrate Chhath Puja. These lamps are filled with oil and a wick, and are placed around the house, particularly at the entrance and near the puja area.

3. Flowers

Decorating your house with fresh flowers is a great way to add a festive touch to the atmosphere. Flowers such as marigold, hibiscus and lotus are commonly used to decorate the house during Chhath Puja.

4. Torans

A toran is a decorative garland made of mango leaves, flowers, and colorful beads. They are hung at the entrance of the house and are considered auspicious during Chhath Puja.

5. String Lights

String lights are a modern way of decorating your house during Chhath Puja. They can be used to decorate the puja area and the entrance of the house, adding a bright touch.

6. Banana and Mango Leaves

Using banana and mango leaves as a decoration is a traditional way to celebrate Chhath Puja. These leaves are used to decorate the puja area and to make offerings to the sun God. They are also used to make traditional sweets like Lai and Khajuria.

7. Temporary Altars

Setting up a temporary altar for the Sun God and the ancestors is a way of showing devotion and respect during Chhath Puja. This altar can be decorated with flowers, incense sticks, and traditional symbols, to make it look more appealing and spiritual.

History and Background of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is believed to have its roots in the Hindu relic of Ramayana. It is said that when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, he and Sita, his wife, observed a fast. The fast was to pay respect to the Sun God, Surya. They together broke the fast after the sunset. 

Apart from this, the Chhath Puja story can be traced back to ancient India, dating back to the Vedic period. It is mentioned in the Vedas as a ritual of offering arghya to the Sun God, Surya. The festival was mainly observed by the people of the Kshatriya clan, who were warriors and rulers in ancient India. Over time, the festival spread to other parts of India and became a major festival for the people of the region now known as Bihar and Jharkhand. 

Final Word

Chhath Puja 2023 will be celebrated from November 17th November. This ancient Hindu festival is primarily observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to the Sun God and goddess Ganga, and is characterised by rituals such as fasting, prayers, and offerings made to the Sun. Chhath Puja holiday calls for religious and spiritual celebration.

This Chhath Puja performs all the rituals wholeheartedly, without worrying about the funds! Get Navi Cash Loan at affordable rates in a hassle-free manner instantly disbursed at affordable rates. Download the Navi App now and explore more about cash loan.

FAQs