Chhath Puja 2023 Calendar: When is Chhath Puja? Know all about the 4 days of celebrations

chhath Puja, also known as Surya Sashti, chhathh, Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Puja, and Dala Chhath, is around the corner. During this four-day-long Hindu festival, devotees worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya by offering Arghya. Here's how the festival is celebrated and the rituals that are followed for four days.

What is Chhath Puja?

Chhat Puja is a four-day-long Hindu festival, majorly observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh among others. During the festival, devotees worship Lord Sun as a source of energy and life, and Chhati Maiya, who is believed to be the maanas daughter of Lord Brahma and sister of Lord Sun. She is also known as Shasti and Chhati as she is believed to be the sixth form of Devi Prakriti.

What happens during Chhath Puja?

On this day, devotees -- both men and women -- observe a 36-hour waterless fast. It is believed to be one of the toughest festivals as devotees taking part in the puja are mandated to follow many restrictions. The fast is mostly observed to pray for the prosperity and progress of their children and family.

When is Chhath puja?

In the Hindu calendar, Chhath is celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, in simple words, six days after the festival of Diwali. This year, the holy festival, of Chhath will be celebrated on Friday (November 17) and will conclude on Monday (November 20), according to Drik Panchang.

What happens during these four days of Chhat Puja?

Day 1: Nahay Khay (November 17)

Nahay Khay (loosely translates to bath, eat) marks the first day of the Chhath. On this holy day, devotees who are observing the fast eat only one meal and take a scared bath. As per Drik Panchang, the sunrise time for this day is 06:45 am and the sunset time is 05:27 pm.

Day 2: Kharna and Lohanda (November 18)

Kharna marks the second day of Chhath. On this day, devotees observe a waterless fast that starts from sunrise and ends at the sunset. On this day, the devotees break their fast after the sunset and offer food to the Sun God. The sunrise time on this day is 06:46 am and the sunset time is 05:26 pm.

Day 3: Chhath Puja or Sandhya Arghya (November 19)

On Sandhya Puja or the third day of Chhath, an Arghya is offered to the sun at dusk and the devotees continue to fast from morning till the next morning. The sunrise time for day 3 is scheduled at 06"46 and suset at 05:26 pm, respectively.

Day 4: Usha Arghya or Parana Day (November 20)

Usha Arghya marks the last day of the Hindu festival, where the devotees offer Arghya to the rising sun. After this, the devotees can break their 36 hour fast after offerings are made to the Sun God. On this day, the sun is scheduled to rise at 06:47 am and set at 05: 26 pm.