What is Chhath Parba?
Chhath is one of the most ancient Vedic festivals, dedicated to Surya — the Sun God — and his sister Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated mainly in the Terai region and by Madhesi communities worldwide, it involves a strict 36-hour fast with no water. Devotees stand in rivers at sunset and sunrise, offering arghya to the Sun. It is a festival of immense faith and discipline.
छठ सबैभन्दा पुरानो वैदिक चाडहरूमध्ये एक हो, जुन सूर्य देव र उनकी बहिनी छठी मैयालाई समर्पित छ। मुख्यतः तराई क्षेत्रमा र संसारभरका मधेसी समुदायहरूले मनाउने यो चाडमा ३६ घण्टाको कठोर व्रत राखिन्छ — पानीसमेत पिउँदैन। भक्तहरू नदीमा उभिएर सूर्यलाई अर्घ्य चढाउँछन्।
Traditions & Customs · परम्परा
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Sandhya Arghya
Evening offering to the setting sun at the riverbank on day 3. Families gather together.
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Usha Arghya
Dawn offering to the rising sun on day 4. The most sacred moment of Chhath.
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Daura
Bamboo basket filled with seasonal fruits, sugarcane, thekua sweets offered to the Sun.
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Thekua
Traditional sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery and ghee — the sacred offering of Chhath.
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Diyas on water
Earthen lamps floated on the river during the evening puja — a breathtaking sight.
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36 hour fast
Devotees fast without food or water for 36 hours. Considered one of the most difficult fasts in Hinduism.
History & Significance · इतिहास
Chhath is mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures Rigveda and Atharvaveda. The ritual of offering arghya to the rising and setting sun is believed to be over 3000 years old. It is one of the few festivals where the setting sun — usually considered inauspicious — is worshipped first, followed by the rising sun.
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