Page 20 - Mann Ki Baat - English

Chhath :

Faith & Festivity

Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun
God (Surya) and his consort, Chhathi Maiya (Shashti Devi). Primarily
observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh,
and in neighbouring country Nepal, it is a profound testament to India’s
cultural resilience, social unity, and deep ecological consciousness.
This rigorous four-day observance includes holy bathing, fasting,
abstaining from water (vratta), standing in water, and offering arghya
(offerings) to the rising and setting sun.
The festival is celebrated twice a year according to regional
calendars: in the month of Kartik (October/November) and Chaitra
(March/April). It occurs on the sixth day (Shasti) and is intrinsically
linked to the post-harvest season. In societies that were primarily
agricultural and dependent on the sun for life and sustenance, the
sun came to be worshipped not only individually, but also by the
community. The morning arghya expresses gratitude for a bountiful

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