zpostcode
Chhath Puja
May 20, 2026 9:16 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)

  Unlock the full article Access our trusted destination for facts and information 7-Day Free Trial, No Ads, Unlimited Access, Exclusive Content Subscribe Today

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Information Recommendation
Jim Harbaugh
     Jim Harbaugh In 2024 Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. (more) Jim Harbaugh American football coach Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Harbaugh Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Harbaugh Also known as: James Joseph Harbaugh Written by Nicholas Gisonna Nick Gisonna started writing...
accelerationism
  accelerationism political and social ideology Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/accelerationism Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/accelerationism Written by Jordana Rosenfeld Jordana Rosenfeld is a copy editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jordana Rosenfeld Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge,...
Nzinga
     Queen Nzinga Nzinga, the 17th-century queen of the Mbundu people and ruler of Ndongo and Matamba, as imagined by illustrator Achille Devéria in 1830. Lithograph by Francois Le Villain. (more) Nzinga African queen Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nzinga Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nzinga Also known as: Ana de...
adobo
     Adobo The Filipino dish of pork adobo incorporates braised pork belly, bay leaves, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. (more) adobo food Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/adobo Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/adobo Written by Laura Payne Laura Payne is a freelance writer whose work covers many topics. She is...
James A. Robinson
     James A. Robinson The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to James A. Robinson and his collaborators Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. (more) James A. Robinson British-American political scientist and economist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-A-Robinson Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-A-Robinson Also known as: James Alan Robinson...
Andrew Scott
     Andrew Scott Irish actor Andrew Scott attending the 2024 Olivier Awards ceremony in London. (more) Andrew Scott Irish actor Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrew-Scott Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Andrew-Scott Written by Adam Volle Adam Volle is a freelance writer and editor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam Volle Fact-checked...
Daron Acemoglu
     Daron Acemoglu The Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu, one of the cowinners of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics. (more) Daron Acemoglu Turkish-American economist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daron-Acemoglu Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daron-Acemoglu Also known as: Kamer Daron Acemoglu Written by Brian Duignan Brian Duignan is a senior...
Onam
     Women assembling the pookalam flower mat As Onam progresses, more concentric layers are added to the pookalam, creating colorful designs. (more) Onam Hindu festival Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Written by Kelly Gisonna Kelly Gisonna, Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica....