Chhath Puja 2025 Dates Revealed: Exact Timings for Nahay Khay, Kharna & Arghya You Can’t Miss!

Chhath Puja 2025: When To Observe Nahay Khay, Kharna And Arghya

Chhath Puja is one of the most significant and ancient festivals of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, this festival is celebrated with deep devotion and strict rituals.

Observed over four days, it involves fasting, holy bathing, and offering prayers to the rising and setting sun. For 2025, knowing the exact dates and timings of Nahay Khay, Kharna, and Arghya is crucial for devotees to ensure the rituals are observed perfectly.

What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a festival that honors Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, symbolizing gratitude for sustaining life on Earth. Unlike other festivals, Chhath Puja is celebrated with rigorous fasting and water rituals, demonstrating unwavering devotion. It involves:

• Nahay Khay: The first day of purification, when devotees take a holy bath and consume simple vegetarian meals.
• Kharna: The second day of fasting where devotees break their fast with special offerings in the evening.
• Sandhya Arghya: Evening prayers to the setting sun, often performed on riverbanks or water bodies.
• Usha Arghya: Morning prayers to the rising sun on the final day.

The festival’s spiritual significance lies in self-discipline, devotion, and thanking the Sun for prosperity, health, and well-being.

Chhath Puja 2025: Key Dates and Timings

Chhath Puja 2025 will begin on November 1st and conclude on November 4th. The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically celebrated six days after Diwali.

Note: Timings may slightly vary depending on the location. Devotees are encouraged to check the local calendar or Panchang.

Day 1: Nahay Khay

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of Chhath Puja. Devotees:

• Wake up early for a holy bath in a river or water body.
• Wear clean, traditional clothes, preferably yellow or red.
• Prepare a simple vegetarian meal of rice, lentils, and seasonal vegetables, avoiding onion and garlic.
• Consume the food once after the bath to begin spiritual purification.

Tips for Observing Nahay Khay:

1. Ensure the water is clean and flowing if bathing in rivers.
2. Avoid unnecessary conversations and focus on mental purification.
3. Begin the preparation a day before to reduce stress and follow rituals properly.

Day 2: Kharna

Kharna is the second day and involves a fast from sunrise to sunset. Devotees:

• Begin the day with Tulsi leaves, holy water, and prayers.
• Prepare Kheer (rice pudding), Chapati, and Jaggery for the evening offering.
• Break the fast at sunset after offering prayers to Sun God.

Significance: Kharna represents self-discipline, patience, and devotion. The fast purifies the body and mind, preparing devotees for the main Chhath rituals on the next day.

Tips for Observing Kharna:

• Avoid consuming caffeine or processed food during the day.
• Devotees often meditate or chant mantras to maintain spiritual energy.
• The evening meal should be consumed mindfully and slowly after offering it to the Sun.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)

Sandhya Arghya is considered one of the most sacred rituals of Chhath Puja. Devotees:

• Gather at riverbanks, ponds, or lakes for the sunset Arghya.
• Prepare a basket of fruits, Thekua, rice, and sweets.
• Offer the basket to the setting sun, standing waist-deep in water.
• Chant Surya and Chhathi Maiya mantras while performing the ritual.

Importance: This ritual signifies gratitude to the Sun God for life energy and prosperity. Standing in water symbolizes purification and devotion.

Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)

The final day involves offering prayers to the rising sun, also known as Usha Arghya. Devotees:

• Wake up before sunrise and reach the water body.
• Offer the prepared basket with fruits, sweets, and Thekua to the rising sun.
• Complete the ritual by breaking the fast after sunrise.

Significance: Usha Arghya ensures spiritual renewal, peace, and prosperity for the devotees and their families.

Tips for Observing Usha Arghya:

• Maintain silence and focus on prayers.
• Ensure the basket items are fresh and naturally sourced.
• Participate with family members, as it strengthens bonds and shared devotion.

Chhath Puja 2025: Mantra & Pooja Vidhi (पूजा विधि और मंत्र)

Chhath Puja is not just about fasting and offerings—it involves specific rituals and mantras that invoke the blessings of Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Observing these steps properly ensures spiritual purification, prosperity, and health.

Step 1: Nahay Khay Puja Vidhi

Purpose: Physical and spiritual purification at the start of Chhath.

Vidhi:

1. Wake up early in the Brahma Muhurta (around 4:30-5:00 AM).
2. Take a holy bath in a river, pond, or clean water body.
3. Wear fresh traditional clothes, preferably yellow, red, or white.
4. Prepare vegetarian meals without onion, garlic, or spices.
5. Place Tulsi leaves, water, and fruits on a clean plate for blessings.
6. Eat the meal once after bathing while meditating on Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

Mantra for Nahay Khay:

“ॐ सूर्याय नमः। ॐ छठी मईया नमः।”
(Om Suryaya Namah, Om Chhathi Maiya Namah)

Repeat the mantra mentally or aloud 11 times while offering water to Tulsi and taking your meal.

Step 2: Kharna Puja Vidhi

Purpose: To practice self-discipline and prepare spiritually for Arghya offerings.

Vidhi:

1. Begin fasting from sunrise till sunset.
2. In the evening, prepare Kheer (rice pudding), Chapati, Jaggery, and fruits.
3. Take the prepared food in a clean copper or brass plate.
4. Offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya before consuming the meal.
5. Break the fast after offering the food, consuming it slowly and mindfully.

Kharna Mantra:

“ॐ नमः सूर्याय। ॐ छठी मईया की जय।”
(Om Namah Suryaya, Om Chhathi Maiya Ki Jai)

Repeat 21 times during offering and consumption.

Step 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering) Vidhi

Purpose: To offer gratitude to the setting sun, seeking blessings for health and prosperity.

Vidhi:

1. Arrive at the riverbank or pond before sunset.
2. Prepare Arghya Basket with fruits, Thekua, sugarcane, rice, and flowers.
3. Stand waist-deep in water, facing the west (where the sun sets).
4. Recite the following mantra while offering water and fruits to the sun:

Sandhya Arghya Mantra:

“सर्व मङ्गल माङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।
सर्वसिद्धि प्रदायिने नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते।”
(Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive Sarvartha Sadhike; Sarvasiddhi Pradayine, Narayani Namo’stu Te)

5. Offer Thekua and fruits while chanting mantras 3-5 times.

Step 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering) Vidhi

Purpose: To greet the rising sun, seeking health, prosperity, and spiritual renewal.

Vidhi:

1. Wake up early before sunrise and reach the water body.
2. Prepare the Arghya Basket as for Sandhya Arghya.
3. Stand facing the east (sunrise direction), waist-deep in water.
4. Offer water and basket items while reciting:

Usha Arghya Mantra:

“ॐ सूर्याय नमः। ॐ छठी मईया नमः।
प्रसन्ना भवतु मा चक्र्याः।”
(Om Suryaya Namah, Om Chhathi Maiya Namah, Prasanna Bhavatu Ma Chakryah)

5. Meditate on the rising sun for 2-3 minutes, visualizing health, prosperity, and peace for family.

Step 5: Concluding Rituals

1. Take the Arghya Basket back home and offer it to family members.
2. Share Thekua, fruits, and sweets with relatives and neighbors as prasad.
3. Perform light cleaning of the puja area, showing respect for nature.
4. End the puja by expressing gratitude and reciting:

“छठी मईया, हमारे घर में सुख, समृद्धि और शांति बनाए रखें।”

Important Tips for Mantra and Puja Vidhi

• Mantras should be chanted with devotion, not mechanically.
• Cleanliness and purity of clothes, utensils, and offerings are vital.
• Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and processed items throughout the puja.
• Always offer water from clean sources, preferably rivers, ponds, or filtered water.
• Family participation enhances blessings and spiritual energy.

Popular Chhath Puja Foods

During Chhath Puja, food preparation is sacred and restricted:

• Thekua: Traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
• Rice Kheer: Offered on Kharna and during Arghya.
• Seasonal Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane.
• Chapati & Vegetables: Light and simple meal on Nahay Khay.

Tip: Avoid onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food, and alcohol to maintain ritual purity.

Chhath Puja 2025 Ritual Checklist

To help devotees, here’s a quick checklist for 2025:

1. Identify your local river or pond for Arghya.
2. Prepare puja items in advance, including fruits, Thekua, and clean clothes.
3. Follow fasting rules strictly on Kharna and Arghya days.
4. Wake up early for Nahay Khay and Usha Arghya.
5. Chant Surya and Chhathi Maiya mantras to enhance devotion.
6. Invite family members to participate together for shared blessings.

Why Chhath Puja is Unique

Unlike other festivals, Chhath Puja:

• Promotes discipline and purity of mind, body, and soul.
• Strengthens family bonds as everyone participates actively.
• Combines nature worship with spirituality, showing gratitude to Sun God and Earth.
• Encourages a healthy lifestyle by promoting fasting and clean food.

FAQs About Chhath Puja 2025

1. When is Chhath Puja 2025?

Chhath Puja 2025 is celebrated from November 1st to 4th.

2. What is Nahay Khay?

Nahay Khay is the first day of Chhath Puja where devotees take a holy bath and consume a simple vegetarian meal.

3. What is Kharna?

Kharna is the second day fast, broken after sunset with Kheer, Chapati, and Jaggery.

4. When is Sandhya Arghya in 2025?

Sandhya Arghya will be observed on November 3rd at sunset, typically between 4:45 PM and 6:15 PM.

5. When is Usha Arghya in 2025?

Usha Arghya will be performed on November 4th at sunrise, around 6:15 AM to 7:30 AM.

6. What foods are allowed during Chhath Puja?

Only vegetarian foods like Thekua, rice, kheer, seasonal fruits, and chapati are allowed.

7. Can children observe Chhath Puja?

Yes, children can participate with family guidance, especially during Arghya offerings.

8. Why is fasting important in Chhath Puja?

Fasting signifies self-discipline, spiritual purification, and devotion to Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.

9. Can I perform Arghya at home?

Traditionally, Arghya is offered in open water bodies, but it can be adapted at home if access to rivers or ponds is difficult.

10. Is it necessary to chant mantras?

Chanting Surya and Chhathi Maiya mantras enhances the spiritual effect but devotion is the key.

11. How long does the fast last?

The fast on Kharna lasts from sunrise to sunset, and Arghya fasting continues until sunrise the next day.

12. Can I wear colored clothes during Chhath Puja?

Prefer yellow, red, or white traditional attire to symbolize purity.

13. Are there any environmental considerations?

Yes, ensure river cleanliness and avoid plastics or non-biodegradable items during offerings.

14. Can I participate if I’m not from Bihar or Jharkhand?

Absolutely, Chhath Puja is celebrated worldwide by devotees irrespective of location.

15. What is the spiritual benefit of observing Chhath Puja?

It brings peace, prosperity, good health, and strengthens family and community bonds.