7 Places to Visit For Chhath Puja: Witness the Festivities on Famous Ghats!

A festival deeply rooted in the Hindu Vedic culture and traditions, Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his wife, Goddess Usha, also known as Chhathi (Shashti Devi) or (Maiya) Mother. It is important to seek their blessings for prosperity, health and happiness. According to the Hindu Mythology, offering Araghya (water) to the Sun God is considered auspicious for attaining abundance and fulfillment of wishes. The four-day festival is celebrated twice a year, during the months of Chaitra (March-April) and Karthika (October-November). It is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and a few parts of Madhya Pradesh. The festival is also celebrated enthusiastically in some regions of Nepal. With elaborate rituals and strict observances, including 36 hours of Nirjala Vrat (fast without food and water), people come together as a community to celebrate nature’s life-giving forces. Moreover, many childless couples observes the fast to pray to the Sun God and Goddess Shashti to bless them with a child.

Let’s learn more about this significant festival that symbolises communal harmony and respect for Mother Nature. Here, we will learn about the dates of Chhath Puja 2025, its significance, its rituals and where you can witness the festival in several regions of the country.

Dates for Chhath Puja 2025

Chhat Puja is a four-day festival celebrated twice a year, Chaiti and Karthik Chhath. Chaiti Chhath is observed a few days after Holi in the Chaitra Month of the Vikram Samvat (March/ April), and Karthik Chhath is observed after the Diwali festival, on Karthik Shukla Shasti, the 6th day of the Karthika month (October/November).

Each day has its significance and rituals. Here is a detailed description of the rituals associated with each day:

Day 1: Nahay Khay

The festivities begin with Nahay Khay, which symbolises the cleansing of the body and soul. The devotees take a holy dip in rivers or water bodies to purify themselves. They prepare a meal of seasonal vegetables and fruits in an earthen pot and eat it as a sign of purity. 

Day 2: Kharna

Devotees on the second day (Kharna) observe a fast throughout the day. They break their fast in the evening after offering prayers to the setting Sun. They prepare kheer (a rice pudding), along with roti (flatbread) and distribute it among family and friends. The rituals on the second day reflect the essence of togetherness and gratitude.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

The third day is known as Sandhya Arghya, which is dedicated to offering prayers to the Sun God during sunset. Devotees gather by the riverbank with offerings such as fruits, sweets and thekua (a traditional sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery). The ritual involves standing in water while offering Arghya (water) to the setting Sun. This day signifies the peak of devotion with commitment towards their beliefs.

Day 4: Usha Arghya

The final day is known as Usha Arghya. On this day, devotees offer prayers to the rising Sun. Devotees gather early in the morning at the riverbank to perform the final rituals. They sing traditional songs, showcasing their devotion and respect for the Sun God. The Chhath Puja is concluded with a community feast, where families come together to celebrate the successful completion of the rituals.

Chaiti Chhath Puja 2025

• Day 1- Nahay Khay – 1st April 2025 – Tuesday
• Day 2 – Kharna – 2nd April 2025 – Wednesday
• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya – 3rd April 2025 – Thursday
• Day 4 – Usha Arghya – 4th April 2025 – Friday

Karthik Chhath Puja 2025

• Day 1- Nahay Khay – 25th October 2025 -Saturday
• Day 2 – Kharna – 26th October 2025 – Sunday
• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya – 27th October 2025 – Monday
• Day 4 – Usha Arghya – 28th October 2025 – Tuesday

Significance of Chhath Puja

The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and his wife, Goddess Usha (Chhati Devi). Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar and the Bihari diaspora across the world to seek their blessings for well-being, longevity and prosperity. The Sun God is considered the source of all life on earth and is believed in purifying the soul, fulfilling the wishes and blessing devotees with health, prosperity and success.

The devotees take a holy dip in rivers and ponds to connect with the source of energy, especially during sunrise and sunset, when the sun’s rays are considered to have healing properties. Therefore, the festival signifies a connection between humanity and nature.

Historical Significance of Chhath Puja

According to the ancient Vedic traditions, Chhath Puja is one of the oldest festivals in India that signifies the importance of the Sun in an agricultural society. The festival is celebrated to honour the Sun for its life-giving energy, which is crucial to crop growth and prosperity. There are various references found in the Vedas, showcasing the reverence ancient cultures had for the Sun as a deity of health and wealth. The timings of the festival with the harvest season mark a period of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.

Environmental Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is also known as one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals in India, promoting awareness about environmental issues and protecting nature. The rituals involve bathing in rivers and offering prayers to natural elements, showing the importance of preserving water bodies and nature. The large-scale observance of the festival brings communities together and encourages them to clean their surroundings and maintain the sanctity of the rivers.

Societal Significance of Chhath Puja

The four-day Chhath Puja rituals and traditions are passed down through generations to represent a sense of community and family bonding. A large number of gatherings, including devotees from different backgrounds at the riverbanks, showcase unity and communal harmony. Devotees praying, singing and dancing together create an atmosphere of joy and respect for nature.

Famous Places to Visit in India For Chhath Puja Celebrations

With an extensive migration within the country, the celebrations of Chhath Puja are not just limited to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Devotees come together to showcase their gratitude, unity, culture and traditions by gathering at the riverbanks of their residing places. The local governments make special arrangements for the celebrations to ensure peaceful celebrations of the festival. So, if you wish to witness the festivities or participate in the rituals, here are some of the famous places to visit in India where the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

1. Patna, Bihar

Since the festival is primarily celebrated in Bihar, people living in other places visit their state and return home to celebrate Chhath Puja. Patna, being the capital of the state, witnesses a large number of gatherings on the occasion.

The devotees perform rituals and take a dip in the holy Ganga River at Patliputra Ghat, a popular site for Chhath Puja in the city. You can easily find budget-friendly hotels in Patna near the ghat for a comfortable stay.

2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

A large number of devotees gather at the ghats of Varanasi to perform Chhath Puja rituals. The fasting women eagerly wait for the sunrise and step into the water as soon as the sun rays touch the water to offer their prayers to the Sun God and Chhatti Devi and seek their blessings.

You can book your hotels in Varanasi near Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Kedar Ghat to witness the early morning rituals.

3. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and famous for being the site of Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj is another famous destination to visit for the Chhath Puja celebrations. Adorned in new sarees, the women observing nirjala vrat gather at the Saraswati Ghat and other ghats at Sangam to perform rituals with songs and prayers.

The large gathering of devotees on the ghats showcases an inspiring display of unity and communal harmony. It is better to book your stay at hotels in Prayagraj near the Sangam to avoid last-minute inconveniences.

4. Delhi-NCR

The National Capital Region, including Delhi and Noida, located near the riverbanks of the Yamuna River, witnesses a significant number of devotees on Chhath Puja. Special arrangements are made by creating artificial ghats to avoid any inconvenience for the devotees to perform their rituals.

You can witness the celebrations on the banks of the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj, ITO, Okhla and Nigambodh Ghat, where you can easily find nearby hotels in Delhi and hotels in Noida.

5. Kolkata, West Bengal

The city of rich cultural heritage, Kolkata, situated on the riverbanks of the Hooghly River, is known for its festivities and cultural events, including Chhath Puja. Special arrangements are made around the waterbodies, including Mukundapur, Kasba, Lake Gardens, Bijoygarh, Patuli and Lake Town-Sreebhumi.

Don’t forget to explore stunning places to visit in Kolkata while staying in family-friendly hotels in Kolkata.

6. Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Known as the “Steel City of India”, Jamshedpur is a famous industrial town where people from all over the country migrate for work. Subarnareka and Kharkai are the two major rivers in the city, where devotees gather for the celebrations of Chhath Puja.

The ghats in Mango, Adityapur, Sidghora and Baghbera are perfect for observing the festivities. Additionally, you can find a comfortable stay on a budget at nearby hotels in Jamshedpur for a pocket-friendly trip.

7. Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mumbai, the “Dream City”, attracts a large number of migrants for work from North India. To honour the festivities on Chhath Puja, special arrangements like temporary enclosures, lighting and safety measures are made by the authorities. Juhu Beach, Kurla Aksa Beach, Powai Lake, Versova Beach, and Dadar Chowpatty Beach are some of the popular sites that are transformed into a carnival on the occasion.

If you are planning to visit the city, you can look for affordable hotels in Mumbai near the key landmarks and transit stations to avoid city traffic.

More than just a festival, Chhath Puja is a spiritual journey that connects us with nature and reminds us to be grateful for life-giving and sustaining elements like the Sun. The festival also teaches us mind and body discipline, humility and deep faith. So, if you wish to be a part of this incredible festival, you can plan a trip to the above-mentioned cities, book your stay at Treebo Club’s website or app and experience the age-old traditions and rituals.