Chhath Puja is here! The festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (the goddess who protects children) and is observed with great devotion in regions like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and some parts from Nepal. The main rituals of Chhath take place during the hours of sunset and sunrise, which is why “sunset time” has become the most frequent search query on Google. Since devotees want to perform their rituals at the prescribed times, it is easy to see why this query topped Google Trends.

(Image: Google Trends)

Sunset times for Sandhya Arghya on November 7 (2024)

Here are the city-specific sunset times for Chhath Puja on November 7, 2024:

• New Delhi: 5:32 p.m.
• Patna: 5:04 p.m.
• Ranchi: 5:07 p.m.
• Kolkata: 4:56 p.m.
• Mumbai: 6:02 p.m.
• Ahmedabad: 5:58 p.m.
• Hyderabad: 5:42 p.m.
• Jaipur: 5:40 p.m.
• Lucknow: 5:19 p.m.
• Raipur: 5:24 p.m.
• Chennai: 5:40 p.m.
• Chandigarh: 5:30 p.m.
• Shimla: 5:28 p.m.
• Bhubaneshwar: 5:09 p.m.

The most crucial ritual of November 7, Sandhya Arghya, involves offering prayers and offerings to the setting sun, which marks the third day of the festival.

Chhath Puja: meaning and rituals

Chhath Puja is rooted in deep mythology, with the Sun God considered to be the giver of life and energy. Devotees believe that by honoring Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, they can get blessings for healththe prosperity and well-being of their families, particularly for the safety and future of children. It’s a 4 day festival:

Nahay Khay (Day 1): The festival begins with a sacred dip in rivers or lakes to purify oneself. Next comes a simple meal, often consisting of rice and vegetables. Women who perform these rituals typically fast throughout the day but consume only one meal.

Kharna (Day 2): On this day, the fast becomes more rigorous, as it involves fasting without water from sunrise to sunset. After sunset, devotees prepare offerings of kheer (a traditional sweet dish) and offer them to the Sun God, marking the end of the day’s ritual.

Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): The third day involves another full day of fasting without water. The central ritual of the day is the Sandhya Arghya, where offerings are made to the setting sun. It is a special time during Chhath Puja, as it is the only time of the year when devotees honor the sun at sunset.

Usha Arghya (Day 4): The last day of the festival sees devotees offering Usha Arghya, or prayers to the rising sun. After praying at sunrise, worshipers break their fast, marking the end of the 36-hour fasting period.

Throughout the festival, there is an emphasis on purity, devotion and discipline, with participants adhering to strict rules regarding diet, behavior and physical endurance. Apart from the rituals, devotees also prepare for the festival by gathering ingredients for offerings, including fruits, sugarcane and the famous ‘thekua’ (a type of sweet made from wheat flour, jaggery and coconut).

Chhath Puja is a powerful blend of mythology, ritual and spirituality, where millions of devotees seek the blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Whether it is reverence for the life-giving Sun or dedication to protecting and ensuring the prosperity of families, Chhath Puja remains an integral part of the cultural fabric in many parts of the country. India. The festival, with its strict fasting, complex rituals and deep spiritual significance, testifies to the enduring power of faith and tradition.