Chhat Puja Calendar 2024: Daily Schedule, Muhurat, Sunrise and Sunset Time

Latest update:04 Nov 2024, 09:05 IST

According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is celebrated for four days in the month of Kartik.

Chhat Puja 2024 will be celebrated from November 5 to 8. (Image: Shutterstock)

Chhat Puja is a popular Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God or Surya Dev and his sister Chhata Maya. The festival is widely celebrated with all the traditional fervor in Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The holiday involves the performance of a number of rituals and strict fasting for 36 hours by devotees. According to Dreek Panchang, Chhat Puja will be celebrated for four days from November 5 to 8 this year.

Chhat Puja is performed on Shasthi Thithi or the sixth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar. Preparations for Chhath Puja begin two days before Chaturthi Tithi.

Chhath Puja Calendar 2024

Chhat Puja Day 1 – Nahai Khai

The first day begins with a holy ablution in the river or any nearby body of water. Devotees then prepare dishes such as rice and lentils, which are offered to the Sun God and Chhati Maya. The rituals are known as Nahai Hai. This year Nahai Hai will be held on November 5.

Let there be Muhurat

Timing: Sunrise at 6:16 AM and Sunset at 5:43 PM*.

Chhat Puja Day 2 – Kharna

The second day of Chhath Puja is known as ‘Kharna’. On this day, parishioners observe a strict fast from morning to evening. Devotees prepare dishes like kheer to offer to Surya Dev as prasad in the evening. This day symbolizes the purification of the body and mind.

Timing: Sunrise at 6:17 AM, sunset at 5:43 PM.

READ ALSO: The Delhi government has declared a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja

Chhat Puja Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya

On the third day, people gather on the banks of a river or any other body of water to offer prayers to the setting sun. They offer a range of fruits, sweets and tekua, sunset fried dumplings and Chatti Maya. This is considered to be the most important ritual of the Chhath Puja celebration. It is performed at sunset on Shasthi Thiti. This year Sandhya Arghya rituals will be performed on November 7.

• Shasthi Thithi: From 00:41 on November 7 to 00:34 on November 8
• Sunrise on Chhat Puja day: 6:17 am
• Sunset on Chhat Puja day: 17:42

Chhat Puja Day 4 – Usha Arghya

The last day of Chhath Puja is known for the rituals of Usha Arghya, or offerings to the rising sun. Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun and Chhati Maya. Devotees offer Usha Argya and this marks the culmination of the 36-hour fast.

• Sunrise at 6:18 am
• Sunset at 17:42

* Sunrise and sunset time source: drikpanchang.com

Origin and Significance of Chhat Puja

Chhat Puja holidays last for 4 days. The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Goddess Shasta, also known as Chhati Maya. According to Hindu epics, the deity is known as the goddess of life, fertility, and is believed to protect children.

Surya Dev is revered as the source of life on earth. Chhat Puja rituals symbolize paying obeisance to the source of life. On this important occasion, devotees, especially married women, ask for blessings for the protection of their children and the well-being of their families.

Chhat Puja has immense religious significance due to its mention in religious texts such as Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Draupadi moved quickly during the Chhat Puja to ensure that the Pandavas could regain their kingdom after being sent into exile for 13 years. Sage Dhaumya advised her to perform Chhath Puja rituals to get the blessings of Lord Surya.

According to the famous epic Ramayan, Chhat Puja is associated with the return of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

It is believed that on the advice of Rishi Mudgala, while returning to Ayodhya, Maa Sita performed Chhath Puja on the banks of the Ganga to pay obeisance to Maa Ganga and Lord Surya. The place where Maa Sita performed Chhath Puja is believed to be today known as Sita Charan Temple in Manger district of Bihar.