Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday performed the concluding rituals of Chhath Puja by offering Usha Arghya (morning prayers) to the rising Sun along with his family at his official residence in Patna.
After four days of devotion and rigorous fasting, Chhath Puja concluded on Tuesday morning. The festival, observed every year after Diwali, is dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for their blessings of health, prosperity, and well-being.
Devotees in large numbers gathered at riverbanks and ponds across Bihar and other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra, to perform Usha Arghya. Visuals showed women standing knee-deep in water, immersed in prayers as the sun rose.
According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is observed on the sixth day (Shashthi Tithi) of the Kartik month’s Shukla Paksha, occurring six days after Diwali. The four-day celebration begins with Nahay-Khay and concludes with Usha Arghya, the morning offering to the Sun God.
The rituals commenced this year on October 25 with Nahay-Khay, when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal. The second day, Kharna (October 26), involves a day-long fast concluded with offerings of rasiya (sweet porridge) and roti. The third day, Sandhya Arghya (October 27), marks the start of the nirjala vrat (fast without water), which continues until the morning of the fourth day — Usha Arghya (October 28).
Chhath Puja is believed to have ancient origins. As per legend, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed the first Chhath Puja after their return to Ayodhya to seek blessings from the Sun God for prosperity.
Widely regarded as one of the most revered Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The festival also holds cultural importance in parts of Nepal and among Indian diaspora communities worldwide.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “The auspicious conclusion of the great festival of Chhath came today with the morning offering of prayers to Lord Surya. During this four-day ritual, we witnessed the divine manifestation of our grand tradition of Chhath Puja. Heartfelt greetings to all devotees, worshippers, and family members who became a part of this sacred celebration!
May the infinite grace of Chhathi Maiya forever illuminate your lives.”
(With inputs from IANS)