Chhath Puja follows the source sequence of Nahay Khay, Kharna, evening arghya to the setting sun and morning arghya followed by paran.

Chhath Puja Samagri

Source-specific materials

  • Bamboo soop or dala
  • Thekua, rice laddus, sugarcane and coconut
  • Bananas, seasonal fruit, water chestnut and sweet potato
  • Salt-free prasad and yellow cloth
  • Copper or brass lota, water, milk and red chandan
  • Akshat, sindoor, flowers, diya and camphor

Before You Begin

  • Plan the multi-day food and cleanliness discipline before beginning.
  • Prepare the bamboo offering basket from source-listed produce.
  • Choose a safe, lawful water-edge location or stable home alternative.

Complete Step-by-Step Chhath Puja Vidhi

Follow the reviewed source sequence from preparation through the final prayer and prasad. Use only the offerings listed for this puja.

  1. Observe Nahay Khay

    Begin the source purification and simple meal discipline.

  2. Observe Kharna

    Prepare and share the supported Kharna offering under the source discipline.

  3. Offer evening arghya

    Present the prepared soop and offer water or milk to the setting sun with the stored names.

    Offer evening arghya mantra
    Om ghrini sooryaaya namah| Om aadityaaya namah| Om sooryaaya namah|
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ घृणि सूर्याय नमः। ॐ आदित्याय नमः। ॐ सूर्याय नमः।

  4. Offer dawn arghya and complete paran

    Return at sunrise, use the stored Gayatri and complete the observance with prasad and paran.

    Offer dawn arghya and complete paran mantra
    Om sooryaaya vidmahe sahasrakiranaaya dheemahi| tanno sooryah prachodayaat||
    Original Sanskrit
    ॐ सूर्याय विद्महे सहस्रकिरणाय धीमहि। तन्नो सूर्यः प्रचोदयात्॥

Simple Chhath Puja Method at Home

This shorter practice retains the essential devotional actions supported by the source; it is not presented as a substitute for a formal priest-led rite where one is specified.

  1. Maintain a clean, simple food practice according to capacity.
  2. Prepare a small basket from listed fruit and prasad.
  3. Offer evening arghya safely at home if a water site is impractical.
  4. Offer dawn arghya, pray and complete paran.

When to Perform Chhath Puja

The sequence spans Nahay Khay, Kharna, sunset arghya and the following sunrise arghya.

Traditional Purpose and Benefits of Chhath Puja

Chhath tradition expresses rigorous gratitude to Surya and Chhathi Maiya through purity, restraint and family participation.

Discipline

The staged observance requires planning and restraint.

Solar gratitude

Both sunset and sunrise receive reverence.

Community continuity

Offerings and songs sustain a living regional tradition.

Important Chhath Puja Notes

  • Fasting must be adapted for health and medical needs.
  • Avoid unsafe crowding or deep water.
  • Do not stare at intense sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nahay Khay, Kharna, sunset arghya and sunrise arghya with paran.

No; safety and lawful access come first.

Only the source-listed produce and prasad.

After the morning arghya and paran.