Chhatha Puja, Surya Shashti or Surya Chhatha Parva is a four-day long auspicious festival. Chhatha Puja is observed in honor of Sun God, the Lord of energy, power, and life. People keep Vrat, perform Puja for the progress, health, career, prosperity, and success of self and progeny.
Chhatha Puja is observed in Jharkhand Bihar and some parts of eastern India with great enthusiasm and devotion. It is also celebrated in Nepal as it is also popular there. It is a Vedic Indian festival that is dedicated to the Sun God (Lord Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (another name for Goddess Usha and a sister of Lord Surya).
While in the Mahabharata, Chhath Puja was performed by Kunti after the Pandavas escaped from Lakshagrih. The main worshipers, called parvaitin (from Sanskrit parva, meaning “occasion” or “festival”), are usually women. However, men also observe this festival as Chhath is not a gender-specific festival.
Chaiti Chhath Puja will be observed on Sunday, Chhatha Puja April 18, 2021(third day)
Prayers are offered to setting sun on third day (Shashti) called Kharna, while on the fourth day the rising sun is worshipped.
Shashti Tithi begins at 08:30 PM on April 17, 2021 and ends at 10: 34 PM on April 18, 2021. Prayers are offered to setting sun on third day called Kharna, while on the fourth day the rising sun is worshipped.
Chaitra month, Chhatha Puja, the first Chhatha Parva
Chhatha Puja which begins on Chaturthi is a four-day festival, Nahay Khay, Lohanda and Kharna, Dala Chhatha, the fourth and the last day is called Paran day.
The first Chhatha Parva, celebrated in Chaitra (March-April) is known as Chaitra Chhatha, Chaiti Chhatha Puja. The second one is observed in the month of Kartik (October-November), begins on the sixth day after Diwali.
Yamuna Chhatha/ Katyayani Puja, also known as Yamuna Jayanti, is celebrated in Shukla Paksha in the lunar month of Chaitra in Mathura and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.
Dates of Chaitra Chhatha Puja, April 2021
Friday, 16 April, Chaitra Shukla Chaturthi, Chhatha Puja 1st day: Nahai Khai. The first Arghya will be observed with the rising sun on Friday, April 16, 2021.
Saturday, 17 April, Chaitra Shukla Panchami, Chhatha Puja 2nd day: Lohanda Kharna. Nirjala Vrat is kept without taking water.
Sunday, 18 April, Chaitra Shukla Shashti, Chhatha Puja 3rd day: Dala Chhatha. Sandhya Arghya is observed (in the evening).
Monday, 19 April, Chaitra Shukla Saptami, Chhatha Puja 4th day: Suryodaya Arghya. Arghya is observed in the morning on the last day, known as Paran Day.
Kartik month, Chhatha Puja/ Surya Shashthi/ Dala Chhatha, the second Surya Chhatha Parva
The second one is observed in the month of Kartik, begins with the first Arghya, on the sixth day after Deepawali. It is more popular than Chaiti Chhatha, will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
Chhatha Mahaparv or the second Surya Chhatha Parva is celebrated after Diwali in the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month, based on the lunar calendar (Amavashyanta).
Each day of this four day long Chhatha Puja festival has a different significance.
Dates of Surya Chhatha Puja, November 2021
10 November, Wednesday, 1st day- Chaturthi, Nahay Khay: The first Arghya will be observed with the rising sun on November 10, 2021.
11 November, Thursday, 2nd day- Panchami, Chhatha Puja, Lohanda Kharna: Fast is observed without water.
12 November, Friday, 3rd day-Shashti, Dala Chhath Puja: Sandhya Arghya is observed. (in the evening).
13 November, Saturday, 4th and last day of Chhatha Puja- Chaitra Shukla Saptami, Paran Day: Suryodaya Arghya. Arghya is observed in the morning on the last day, known as Usha Arghya, Paran day.
The method for the four events
The method for the four events for the second Surya Shashti or Surya Chhatha Puja, which is celebrated in the month of Kartik (October-November), is as follows:
1) The first day is observed on Chaturthi, especially by ladies folk, known as Nahay Khay or Nahai Khai by taking bath in the river, preparing Prasad for lord sun offering Arghya to the rising sun and eating only once on that day.
This event will be on Wednesday, 10 November, 2021.
2) The second day is observed on Panchami is known as Lohanda and Kharna means purifying. This fast is kept without taking even a drop of water, this fast is ended only after the sunset by offering fruits and food (Bhog) to the sun.
This event happens on Thursday, 11 November 2021.
3) The third day is also known as Dala Chhatha or Surya Shashti. It is observed on Kartik Surya Shashti called Sandhya Arghya by keeping day and night fast, worshiping and offering fruits and Arghya to the setting Sun in the evening.
This event will be on Friday, 12 November 2021.
4) The fourth and the last day will be observed on Saptami. It is known as Usha Arghya or Chhatha Paran day of Puja, ends after thirty-six hour fast by offering Arghya to the rising sun.
This will be observed on Saturday, 13 November 2021 in the morning as Paran Day. Paran means the end, Paran day of Puja means last day of Puja.
This event will be on Saturday, 2nd November 2020
4) The fourth day and the last day is observed on Saptami. It is known as Usha Arghya or Chhatha Paran day of Puja, ends after thirty-six hour fast by offering Arghya to the rising sun.
This will be observed on Sunday, 3rd November 2019 in the morning as Paran Day. Paran means the end, Paran day of Puja means last day of Puja.
