The first Arghya of the Chhath Puja will be offered at 5:34 PM in Bhagalpur and 5:42 PM in Patna.
Patna November 7, 2024: Chhath Puja is celebrated with deep devotion, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, as families come together to honour the Sun God (Surya) over a spiritually intense four-day period.
The timing of the evening Arghya on 7 November in Bhagalpur is 5:34 PM, Darbhanga at 5:39 PM, Muzaffarpur at 5;40 PM, Patna at 5:42 PM, and Buxar at 5:46 PM.
Four days Chhath Puja starts from Nahai-Khai:
The festival began this year with “Nahai Khay”, a ritual cleansing day, followed by the observance of Kharna, which took place on the second day.
Today, on the third day, devotees will offer their evening Arghya (prayer and offering) to the setting sun, a symbolic gesture that embodies gratitude for life and sustenance.
A defining aspect of Chhath Puja is the 36-hour Nirjala fast, where devotees abstain from food and water from the Kharna evening until the conclusion of the festival.
This period of fasting culminates in the evening Arghya, where devotees, often standing in rivers, ponds, lakes, or specially prepared water sources, offer prayers to the setting sun.
The evening rituals of Chhath Puja bring the communities together:
This evening ritual brings families and communities together at Chhath Puja Ghats, where the atmosphere is filled with devotion as people stand in water, holding their Daura (a traditional basket) containing offerings such as Thekua and Bhuswa special Prasad items prepared with care.
After Sunset, families return home to rest and prepare for the final day of worship.
On the fourth day, devotees will gather again at dawn to offer a final Arghya to the rising Sun, concluding the Chhath Puja with prayers for health, prosperity, and well-being.
The simplicity and deep reverence that characterize Chhath Puja, along with its emphasis on purity and gratitude, make it a unique and cherished festival.
The rituals, especially the offering of Arghya to both the setting and rising Sun, highlight the cyclical nature of life and the vital role of nature in sustaining it.
For Chhath Puja, while mantras are not mandatory, chanting specific mantras during worship can enhance the spiritual experience and bring desired blessings. Here’s how devotees can incorporate them.
For the Morning Arghya (7 November): Stand facing west towards the setting Sun folded hands, ideally immersed halfway in water. At Sunset, which varies slightly by city, devotees can chant simple mantras.
For the Morning Arghya (8 November): On the fourth and final day, devotees stand facing east at Sunrise, holding a ladle or Daura filled with offerings. Here, chanting mantras as the first rays of Sunlight appear is a symbolic and powerful way to end the fast.
EOM.