Chhath Puja 2023: Ancient Sun Worship Festival Concludes With PM Modi's Blessings to Devotees Across India

The four-day Chhath Puja celebration concluded on Tuesday morning as devotees across India completed their rituals with the final offering to the rising sun.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to all devotees as Chhath Puja concluded with the sunrise on Tuesday morning. He conveyed his blessings to those who observed fasts and participated in this sacred festival that celebrates India's rich cultural heritage.

In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted how the four-day celebration beautifully showcased the divine essence of the grand tradition of Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja, which follows shortly after Diwali, concluded after four days of intense devotion and rigorous fasting. This significant festival is dedicated to expressing gratitude to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya for bestowing health, prosperity, and wellbeing upon devotees.

Taking to his social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi stated, "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 congratulations to all the devotees and fasting people, as well as to all our family members who were part of this sacred festival! May the infinite blessings of Chhathi Maiya always illuminate your lives."

According to Hindu traditions, Chhath Puja is observed on the sixth day (Shashthi Tithi) of the Kartik month's Shukla Paksha, typically six days after Diwali celebrations. The festival encompasses four consecutive days of rituals, beginning with Nahay Khay and culminating with Usha Arghya when prayers are offered to the rising sun.

The festival sequence begins with Nahay Khay (October 25), when devotees purify themselves with a holy bath before preparing a simple meal. The second day, Kharna (October 26), involves maintaining a day-long fast from morning until evening, which concludes with offerings of rasiya (sweet porridge) and roti. On the third day, devotees perform Sandhya Arghya and commence the challenging 'nirjala vrat' (waterless fast), which continues until the early hours of the fourth day when Usha Arghya is performed.

Historical accounts suggest that Chhath Puja has ancient origins. Legend narrates that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed the first Chhath Puja upon their return to Ayodhya to seek the Sun God's blessings for prosperity and wellbeing.

While Chhath Puja is most prominently celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it has gained popularity across India and among Indian communities worldwide, including parts of Nepal.

Early Tuesday morning saw devoted worshippers gathering at riverbanks nationwide to offer the final Usha Arghya. Images from various states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra captured the spiritual fervor as women stood in cold waters, deeply immersed in devotion as the sun emerged on the horizon.