Chhath Puja 2021: Devotees offer Arghya to rising Sun, know all important dates and shubh timing

Chhath puja 2021 date: Devotees broke their 36-hours long fast by offering Arghya to the rising sun today, the last day of Chhath Puja 2021. Chhath is a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God that is celebrated every year after Diwali.

People gathered to offer prayers to the Surya Dev in different places in the country to mark the culmination of the four day festival. Chhath Puja was celebrated this year from November 8 till November 11, 2021. The festival is observed mainly by the people from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.  The devotees observe a nirjala vrat and offer Arghya to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Devta, standing knee deep in flowing water. 

West Bengal | Devotees break their 36-hours long fast by offering Arghya to the rising sun at Takta Ghat in Kolkata on the last day of 4-day #Chhathpuja pic.twitter.com/stK8JCP2la

— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2021

Bihar: People offer 'arag' to the Sun God at Patna College Ghat in the city on the last day of Chhath puja festival pic.twitter.com/by8itaQIXU

— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2021

Chhath Puja 2021: Know all dates, sunrise and sunset time

Day 1 - Nahay Khay (November 8)

Sunrise- 6.38am
Sunset- 5.31pm

Day 2 - Karna (November 9)

Sunrise- 6.39am
Sunset- 5.31pm

Day 3 of Chhath Puja 2021- Know all about Sandhya Arghya rituals

The third day of Chhath Puja marks festivities of Sandhya Arghya, during which devotees offer prayers to Lord Surya for the long life and happiness.

-The day is marked with a full day fast without water. The fasting continues throughout the night and parana is done on the next day after the sunrise. 

-A ritual known as Kartik Shashthi is also performed on the day.

-The main ritual is offering arghya to the setting sun.  It is the only time of the year when Arghya is offered to the setting sun. 

-During Sandhya Arghya, a lit lamp in a bamboo basket with fruits and other prasad is offered to the setting sun.

-The devotees also pray and sing songs of Chhathi Maiya at night. 

Chhath Puja Sandhya Arghya time:

Sunrise time- 6.40am

Sunset time- 5.30pm

Day 4 of Chhath Puja 2021 - Usha Arghya (November 11)

The main ritual on Day 4 of Chhath Puja 2021 is to offer Arghya to the rising sun while standing in knee deep water. The devotees reached the dedicated ghats early in the morning to offer their prayers to the Sun God and break their long and arduous fast.

Sunrise- 6.41am
Sunset- 5.29pm

Chhath Puja 2021 - Know all about it!

Chhath Puja Significance

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival that is native to the Indian states of Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.  

Chhath Puja History

The Chhath Puja is celebrated by worshiping the Sun God and his Vedic consorts Pratyusha (Goddess of Dusk) and Usha (Vedic Goddess of Dawn) to thank the gods for bestowing life on earth and to request granting of certain wishes.  

"Chhathi Maiya" is worshipped as the "Goddess of the festival. She is the personified mother goddess who provides support and strength to the poor. 

How is Chhath Puja celebrated?

Chhath Puja is observed over four days. The devotees fast all day and offer Arghya, which is a special type of offering, in the evening of the first day and morning of the second day.

The devotees also stand in the water for long periods of time and abstain from drinking water to observe the holy festival. Devotees also perform a prostration march as they head for the river banks.

Chhath Puja most eco-friendly religious festival?

According to environmentalists, Chhath Puja is one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals that should be used to spread "the message of nature conservation". 

The festival also transcends the rigid caste system, as all devotees without any caste distinction prepare almost similar prasad and other items and arrive at the banks of rivers or ponds to offer prayers to the Sun god. Chhath is now celebrated in other parts of the nation as well.