By Go Spiritual News Magazine and App
As the world awakens to the crisp autumn air on October 25, 2025, millions of devotees in India, Nepal, and across the global diaspora will embark on a profound spiritual journey with the commencement of Chhath Puja. This ancient festival, dedicated to the Sun God Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya, transcends mere ritual to become a deep meditation on gratitude, purity, and the interconnectedness of life with the cosmos. In a time when spiritual seekers yearn for authentic connections to the divine, Chhath Puja stands as a beacon of eco-friendly devotion, reminding us of the sun’s role as the eternal source of life and energy.
At its core, Chhath Puja is a celebration of spiritual renewal. Devotees, known as parvaitins, undertake rigorous fasts and rituals over four days, from October 25 to 28 this year, to express thanks for the sun’s life-sustaining blessings and to invoke fulfillment of personal wishes. The festival honors Surya as the visible manifestation of the divine, visible to all beings and the foundation of existence on Earth. Chhathi Maiya, revered as the sixth form of Prakriti (nature), is invoked for protection, particularly for children’s health and longevity, shielding them from ailments through her maternal grace.
The spiritual depth of Chhath lies in its emphasis on inner and outer purity. Rituals begin with Nahaay Khaay on day one, where devotees cleanse their homes and bodies, partaking in a simple sattvic meal of lauki bhaat to purify the mind from negative thoughts like vengeance. This sets the tone for a vrata (vow) of self-discipline. On Kharna, the second day, parvaitins fast without water, culminating in an evening offering of gur ke kheer and roti, symbolizing surrender to the divine will.
The pinnacle of spiritual communion occurs during Sandhya Arghya on day three and Usha Arghya on day four. Devotees gather at riverbanks, ponds, or even indoor setups to offer arghya—holy water—to the setting and rising sun. Standing in water, they present prasada in bamboo baskets: thekua (crispy sweets of wheat, jaggery, and ghee), rasabali (flattened rice in sweetened milk), kasar laddoos, and rice laddu, all prepared without onion, garlic, or salt to maintain sattvic purity. These offerings represent devotion and cultural heritage, passed down generations, embodying the festival’s eco-friendly ethos—using natural, biodegradable materials that harmonize with the environment.
Spiritually, these acts foster a profound connection to nature and the self. The prostration marches to the ghats, the night vigils with Chhath songs and vrat kathas (sacred stories), and the kosi bharai ritual—where sugarcanes form a mandap lit by diyas—invoke a sense of communal prayer and inner light. Environmentalists hail Chhath as one of the most sustainable festivals, aligning spiritual practice with ecological respect, as devotees immerse themselves in natural water bodies without polluting idols or waste.
Legends weave a rich tapestry of spiritual history into Chhath Puja. Rooted in ancient epics, it is said that Mata Sita performed the puja after returning to Ayodhya with Lord Rama, blessing her with sons Lava and Kusha. In the Mahabharata, Kunti and Draupadi observed the rituals for protection and victory. Another tale recounts King Priyavrata’s yajna, where Chhathi Maiya revived his stillborn child, establishing her as the protector of progeny. These stories underscore themes of faith, resurrection, and divine intervention, inspiring devotees to view the festival as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment.
In 2025, as urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kathmandu, along with diaspora communities in the US, Australia, and beyond, prepare elaborate celebrations, Chhath Puja serves as a reminder of timeless spiritual truths. It encourages us to pause, fast, and gaze upon the sun—not just as a celestial body, but as a symbol of the Atman (soul) within, radiating light and life. For those seeking deeper meaning, participating in or witnessing Chhath can be a transformative experience, fostering gratitude and harmony with the universe.
As the sun rises on October 28, marking the festival’s close with the breaking of fasts, may Chhathi Maiya’s blessings illuminate paths of health, prosperity, and spiritual awakening for all.
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