Chhath Puja 2024: The great festival of folk faith starts from tomorrow, know the dates of Nahay-Khay and Arghya.

Chhath Puja 2024: Chhath festival is celebrated six days after Diwali. This is an important festival of Hindu religion (Hindu Dharam). Especially in a large part of India like Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it is celebrated with reverence, faith and enthusiasm. But now people of Indian origin have started celebrating Chhath festival both in the country and abroad. Chhath is also known as Surya Shashti. Because in this, along with Sun God (Surya), Goddess Shashthi is also worshipped.

Chhath begins with Nahay Khay and the festival ends with Usha Arghya. It is a religious festival which strengthens family relationships, brings loved ones closer and connects them with nature. This includes holy bath, fasting, offering Arghya to the rising and setting sun etc.

When is Chhath Puja 2024?

Chhath Mahaparva lasts for four days. According to Panchang, Chhath festival lasts from Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha to Ashtami Tithi. This year, Chhath festival is starting from 5th November, which will end on 8th November 2024.

• Nahay Khay Date- Tuesday 5 November 2024
• Kharna (Kharna Date)- Wednesday 6 November 2024
• Sandhya Arghya Date- Thursday 7 November 2024
• Usha Arghya Date- Friday 8th November

Chhath Puja Nahay-Khay (Chhath Puja 2024 Nahay Khay): Chhath festival starts with Nahay-Khay. This is the first day. On this day the house is completely purified. The fasting people wake up early in the morning and take bath in the holy river. Satvik food like pumpkin, Chanadaal vegetable and Arwa rice are prepared as Prasad, in which onion and garlic are not used.

Kharna, second day of Chhath festival (Chhath Puja 2024 Kharna): Kharna is performed on the second day after Nahay-Khay. After consuming the Prasad of Kharna, the 36-hour Nirjala fast begins. Prasad of kheer and sweet bread is prepared on this day.

Chhath Puja 2024 Sandhya Arghya: There is a tradition of offering Arghya to the setting sun on the third day of Chhath festival. Sandhya Arghya or Astachalgami Arghya is also called the first Arghya. On this day, all the offerings like thekua, fruits, coconut etc. are kept in the soup and Arghya is offered with water mixed with milk.

Usha Arghya (Chhath Puja 2024 Usha Arghya): Chhath festival ends with Usha or Udayagami Arghya. On this day, Arghya is offered to the rising Sun God. In the evening Arghya, Arghya is offered by circling Jin soup and Daura. The same soup and daura prasad are offered in Usha Arghya.

After Usha Arghya, the devotees break the 36-hour fast (Chhath 2024 Paran) by taking the Prasad of Chhath Puja. Chhath Thekua Prasad is also distributed among the devotees and family members with gratitude and goodwill.

Also read: Chhath Puja 2024: Why is Chhath Puja performed, interesting history of this festival is related to Ramayana-Mahabharata.