In the Glow of Gratitude: The Timeless Aura of Chhath Puja
“A sacred celebration of faith, purity, and gratitude that unites devotion with nature’s light — rediscover the eternal bond between humanity, the Sun, and the spirit of Chhathi Maiya during Chhath Puja 2025.”
Paromita Das
New Delhi, 25th October: There are festivals that speak to the senses, and then there is Chhath Puja — a festival that speaks to the soul. As dawn paints the riverbanks with molten gold, millions of devotees stand waist-deep in water, silently offering prayers to the setting and rising Sun. Each diya that floats upon the gentle current carries not just light, but the echoes of centuries of devotion. Chhath Puja, celebrated from October 25 to 28 in 2025, is not merely a religious observance; it is a profound act of communion between humanity, divinity, and the elements of nature.
The Sacred Origin: A Tale of Hope and Faith
The legend of Chhath Puja’s origin traces back to the story of King Priyavrata and Queen Malini, who longed for a child. Their prayers were answered by the divine intervention of Chhathi Maiya, the celestial daughter of Brahma, known as the protector of children and granter of blessings. With her grace, life triumphed over despair. From that day, devotees began to worship her alongside Surya Dev, marking the birth of one of Sanatan Dharma’s most profound rituals — an ode to light, fertility, and gratitude.
The Devotion of Karna and Rama
Ancient epics reinforce Chhath’s spiritual roots. Karna, the son of Surya Dev, performed daily offerings while standing in rivers, showing humility before divine energy — a ritual that became the essence of Chhath Puja. Similarly, in the Ramayana, upon returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed the Chhath fast and offered their prayers to the Sun for the prosperity of their people. Their act of thanksgiving after victory symbolizes an eternal truth — that every triumph must end in gratitude, and every creation must bow to its creator.
Draupadi’s Strength and the Feminine Spirit of Faith
The Mahabharata also echoes the sanctity of Chhath. Draupadi, guided by sage Dhaumya, observed this vrat during the Pandavas’ exile, seeking strength and divine favor for her family. Her faith bore fruit as their fortunes were restored. Through her devotion, Chhath became a symbol of endurance and purity, representing the strength of women who carry tradition, faith, and resilience through generations.
The Rituals: A Journey of Purification and Gratitude
Chhath Puja unfolds over four disciplined days, each signifying purification, sacrifice, and renewal of the spirit.
Day 1: Nahay Khay — Devotees begin with a holy dip in the Ganges or nearby rivers, cleansing body and mind. They prepare a simple, saltless, satvik meal at home, dedicating the day to purity and humility.
Day 2: Kharna — Observers undertake a rigorous fast without water. At sunset, after prayers, they break it with prasad — jaggery kheer, roti, and fruits — before beginning the 36-hour Nirjala fast that follows.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — The most beautiful moment of the festival, when devotees gather at riverbanks to offer arghya to the setting Sun. Soops filled with thekua, sugarcane, fruits, and diyas light up the twilight, turning the ghats into a vision of spiritual radiance.
Day 4: Usha Arghya — As dawn breaks, devotees repeat the offering to the rising Sun, symbolizing renewal and gratitude for life. The fast ends after blessings are sought for health, prosperity, and family welfare.
Every act performed during Chhath — from cleaning homes to preparing offerings — reflects devotion, discipline, and respect for the natural world.
Chhathi Maiya: The Mother of Light and Life
Chhathi Maiya, also revered as Usha or Devasena, is believed to be the sister of Surya Dev. While Surya represents the cosmic force of energy, she personifies nurture, fertility, and protection. This divine union embodies the balance of power and compassion — the masculine brilliance of the Sun harmonized by the motherly grace of Chhathi Maiya. The worship of both together reflects the ancient Vedic belief that life sustains only through harmony between creation and care.
The Philosophy Behind the Festival
Unlike other Hindu celebrations that emphasize decoration or grandeur, Chhath Puja stands apart for its austerity. It rejects excess and embraces simplicity. Each ritual — fasting, standing in water, sun meditation — serves as a spiritual discipline, cleansing mind and body of material attachments. In today’s age of fast-paced distractions, the festival reminds humanity that true devotion is silent, patient, and deeply personal. It revives nature worship in its purest form, turning reverence into ecological consciousness.
A Reflection of Bharat’s Spiritual Ecology
In a time when urbanization threatens the balance between progress and environment, Chhath Puja acts as Bharat’s moral and ecological compass. The festival’s essence lies in sustainable spirituality — no idols, no synthetic decorations, no artificial indulgence. Its core message is simple: respect nature as divine. The healing connection between water, sunlight, and human surrender reminds us that gratitude toward the earth is the highest form of worship.
Light That Never Fades
As the first light of Usha Arghya touches the horizon this Chhath Puja, millions will stand in silent prayer, reaffirming an eternal truth — that faith, when rooted in gratitude and discipline, never fades. Chhath Puja is not just a festival; it is a living meditation on purity, balance, and harmony between humanity and the cosmos. In the glow of every diya and in every whispered prayer to Surya Dev, Bharat rediscovers its ancient soul — serene, selfless, and endlessly luminous.
