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Chhath Puja
Nov 3, 2025 9:13 AM

  

Chhath Puja1

  Chhath Puja Hindu devotees gathering at a bank of the Ganges River to offer prayers during Chhath Puja in Patna, Bihar, India. (more) Chhath Puja Hindu festival Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chhath-Puja Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Chhath, Surya Shashti Vrata Written by Tamanna Nangia Tamanna Nangia is Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over five years of experience in editorial processes, handling many different aspects of the publishing process: content development,... Tamanna Nangia Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 29, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Also called: Chhath or Surya Shashti Vrata (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is Chhath Puja, and where is it celebrated? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu solar festival celebrated primarily in the northern Indian states Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, in certain regions of Nepal, and by many among the global Indian diaspora." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the significance of Surya in Chhath Puja? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Surya, the Sun god, is revered as a giver of life, health, and energy. During Chhath Puja devotees worship the Sun by offering traditional items at sunrise and sunset, emphasizing the godu2019s role in the daily cycle." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " Who is Chhathi Maiya? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Chhathi Maiya, also called Chhath Mata, is a maternal figure and protective goddess who guards children, ensures fertility and prosperity, and grants long life. She is regarded as a manifestation of the Vedic goddess Ushas, and devotees feel emotionally close to her during Chhath Puja." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the key rituals performed during Chhath Puja? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Key rituals performed during Chhath Puja include fasting, bathing in holy water, making offerings to the setting and rising Sun, and observing a 36-hour nirjala vratu2014a fast without water or food." } } ] } Top Questions What is Chhath Puja, and where is it celebrated? Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu solar festival celebrated primarily in the northern Indian states Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, in certain regions of Nepal, and by many among the global Indian diaspora.

  What is the significance of Surya in Chhath Puja? Surya, the Sun god, is revered as a giver of life, health, and energy. During Chhath Puja devotees worship the Sun by offering traditional items at sunrise and sunset, emphasizing the god’s role in the daily cycle.

  Who is Chhathi Maiya? Chhathi Maiya, also called Chhath Mata, is a maternal figure and protective goddess who guards children, ensures fertility and prosperity, and grants long life. She is regarded as a manifestation of the Vedic goddess Ushas, and devotees feel emotionally close to her during Chhath Puja.

  What are the key rituals performed during Chhath Puja? Key rituals performed during Chhath Puja include fasting, bathing in holy water, making offerings to the setting and rising Sun, and observing a 36-hour nirjala vrat—a fast without water or food.

  Chhath Puja, four-day Hindu solar festival celebrated primarily in the northern Indian states Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, in certain regions of Nepal, and by many among the global Indian diaspora. The celebrations during Chhath Puja, or simply Chhath, honor the life-sustaining force of the Sun (Sanskrit: surya). Central to the festival are women who observe a rigorous 36-hour nirjala vrat—a fast without water or food that continues until the final day. Chhath Puja is celebrated twice a year during the Hindu calendar months Chaitra (March–April in the Gregorian calendar) and Karttika (October–November). The primary observance of Chhath is on ...(100 of 969 words)

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