When is Chaiti Chhath Puja in 2025? Date, Timing, History, and Rituals You Need to Know

Introduction

Chaiti Chhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya Dev. Celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, this festival marks a time of deep devotion, rigorous fasting, and prayers for well-being and prosperity. If you are wondering when Chaiti Chhath Puja falls in 2025, this blog provides all the essential details, including the puja date, auspicious timings, historical significance, and important rituals. Read on to explore everything you need to know about this divine celebration.

Chaiti Chhath Puja 2025: Date and Timing

Chaiti Chhath Puja is observed during the Chaitra month (March-April) in the Hindu calendar. In 2025, the festival will be celebrated from March 27 to March 30. Here’s a detailed schedule of the four-day observance:

• March 27, 2025 (Nahay Khay) – Devotees take a holy dip and consume a sattvic meal to begin their fast.
• March 28, 2025 (Lohanda & Kharna) – Fasting continues without water until the evening, when devotees break it with gur (jaggery) and roti.
• March 29, 2025 (Sandhya Arghya) – The most important ritual where offerings are made to the setting sun.
• March 30, 2025 (Usha Arghya) – Final prayers and offerings to the rising sun, marking the conclusion of Chhath Puja.

Auspicious Timings (Muhurat)

• Sunset on March 29, 2025: 6:20 PM (approx.)
• Sunrise on March 30, 2025: 6:05 AM (approx.)

The exact muhurat may vary by location, so it is advisable to check local Panchang calendars for precise details.

The History and Significance of Chaiti Chhath Puja

Chaiti Chhath Puja has deep historical and mythological roots. It is believed to have originated during the Vedic period when sages performed Sun worship for energy and vitality. The festival is associated with Draupadi and the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, as well as King Karna, who was an ardent devotee of Surya Dev.

The main significance of Chhath Puja lies in its spiritual and health benefits. The rituals involve strict fasting, standing in water for long periods, and exposure to sunlight, all of which have been scientifically linked to detoxification and energy enhancement.

Important Rituals of Chaiti Chhath Puja

The four-day festival involves several key rituals that make it unique:

1. Nahay Khay (First Day)

Devotees take a bath in the sacred river and consume a meal prepared without onion and garlic. This purifies the body and mind, preparing them for the upcoming fast.

2. Lohanda & Kharna (Second Day)

This day involves fasting without food or water from sunrise to sunset. The fast is broken in the evening with a meal of jaggery-based kheer, chapati, and banana, followed by another fast without water until the next day.

3. Sandhya Arghya (Third Day)

Devotees gather at riverbanks to offer ‘Arghya’ (offerings) to the setting sun. Women, known as Vratis, stand in water with bamboo soops filled with fruits and other sacred items to seek blessings for their family’s well-being.

4. Usha Arghya (Fourth Day)

On the final day, devotees offer prayers to the rising sun, marking the completion of the puja. It is believed that this ritual brings prosperity, good health, and happiness.