Chhath Puja 2025 promises to be especially meaningful for devotees seeking spiritual renewal and family well-being. This guide is perfect for anyone looking to understand the festival’s complete schedule, whether you’re a first-time observer or wanting to deepen your practice.
Running from October 25-28, 2025, this ancient festival dedicated to Lord Surya carries unique astrological significance this year that sets it apart from previous celebrations. The Sun’s transit through Libra during Chhath Puja 2025 creates powerful conditions for spiritual healing and energy balancing.
We’ll walk you through the complete four-day festival schedule with exact dates and timing for each ritual. You’ll discover the deeper spiritual and health benefits that make millions of devotees undertake this challenging 36-hour fast. Plus, we’ll explore the special astrological factors that make why Chhath Puja special 2025 – including how the cosmic alignments can amplify the festival’s traditional blessings for health, prosperity, and family harmony.
Complete Festival Schedule and Dates for 2025
Four-day celebration from October 25-28, 2025
The Chhath Puja 2025 dates have been officially confirmed, with the sacred four-day festival taking place from Saturday, October 25th, through Tuesday, October 28th, 2025. This revered Hindu festival, dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, follows its traditional timing of falling six days after Diwali. The Chhath Puja schedule 2025 maintains the authentic structure that has been observed for centuries across states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Each of the four days holds profound spiritual significance, with the festival also known by its alternate names: Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi, and Surya Shashthi. The celebration begins with Nahay Khay on October 25th, progresses through Kharna on October 26th, reaches its climax with Sandhya Arghya on October 27th, and concludes with Usha Arghya and Parana on October 28th.
Specific sunrise and sunset timings for each day
The precise timing of sunrise and sunset plays a crucial role in the Chhath festival rituals, as devotees must synchronize their offerings with the Sun God’s daily journey across the sky.
| Day | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Ritual Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Nahay Khay) | October 25, Saturday | 6:28 AM | 5:42 PM | Holy bath and single meal |
| Day 2 (Kharna) | October 26, Sunday | 6:29 AM | 5:41 PM | Waterless fast until sunset |
| Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya) | October 27, Monday | 6:30 AM | 5:40 PM | Evening offering to setting sun |
| Day 4 (Usha Arghya) | October 28, Tuesday | 6:30 AM | 5:39 PM | Morning offering to rising sun |
The gradual shift in sunrise and sunset timings throughout the festival period reflects the natural progression of autumn, with devotees carefully observing these precise moments for their sacred offerings. The sunset timing on October 27th at 5:40 PM marks the most critical moment when families gather at riverbanks to perform the evening Arghya ceremony.
Shashthi Tithi timing from 6:04 AM to 7:59 AM on October 27-28
The astrological foundation of Chhath Puja significance rests upon the specific Shashthi Tithi timing, which spans from 6:04 AM on October 27th to 7:59 AM on October 28th. This lunar calendar date determines the most auspicious period for the festival’s observance, ensuring that the spiritual energy is at its peak during the main rituals.
The Shashthi Tithi represents the sixth day of the lunar fortnight and holds special significance in Hindu tradition as it governs the worship of the Sun God. During this precise timeframe, devotees believe that their prayers and offerings receive maximum divine blessings. The timing coincides perfectly with the third and fourth days of the festival, encompassing both the evening Sandhya Arghya and the morning Usha Arghya ceremonies.
This astronomical alignment makes the Chhath Puja 2025 observance particularly powerful, as the Shashthi Tithi provides the spiritual backdrop for the most intensive fasting period. The nearly 36-hour waterless fast that begins after the Kharna meal on October 26th extends through this sacred timing, concluding only after the Usha Arghya offering on October 28th morning at 6:30 AM, well within the auspicious Shashthi period.
Day-by-Day Ritual Guide and Significance
Nahay Khay – Purification through holy bathing and simple meals
The four-day Chhath Puja schedule 2025 begins on October 25th (Saturday) with Nahay Khay, marking the sacred commencement of this revered festival. This opening day emphasizes spiritual purification through traditional cleansing rituals. Devotees initiate the festival by taking a holy dip, traditionally in a sacred river, which symbolizes the removal of impurities and the beginning of their spiritual journey. The sun rises at 6:28 AM and sets at 5:42 PM on this day, providing the celestial framework for the day’s observances.
Following the purifying bath, practitioners consume a single, pure meal that marks the formal start of their vow. This simple meal preparation involves using only the purest ingredients and cooking methods, reflecting the devotee’s commitment to maintaining spiritual cleanliness throughout the festival period. The practice of eating just one meal on this day establishes the foundation for the increasingly rigorous fasting that follows in subsequent days.
Kharna – Waterless fasting and breaking fast with kheer offerings
The second day of Chhath festival rituals, known as Kharna, falls on October 26th (Sunday) and introduces a more demanding level of spiritual discipline. The main observance involves a strict waterless fast that begins at sunrise (6:29 AM) and continues until sunset (5:41 PM). This waterless fast represents the devotee’s growing dedication and preparation for the most intensive day ahead.
The fast is symbolically broken after sunset by preparing and consuming a special meal, typically featuring kheer (rice pudding) as the primary offering. This sweet dish must first be offered as Prasad to Lord Surya before consumption, emphasizing the devotional aspect of the ritual. The preparation and sharing of this prasad creates a sacred connection between the devotee, the Sun God, and the family members participating in the festival.
Sandhya Arghya – Evening offerings to setting sun with complete fast
Day 3, occurring on October 27th (Monday), represents the most sacred and intensive part of Chhath Puja day wise rituals. Known as Sandhya Arghya, this day requires devotees to observe a rigorous full-day fast without water, demonstrating their ultimate devotion and spiritual strength. The physical and mental challenges of this waterless fast are considered essential for achieving the spiritual benefits associated with the festival.
The central ritual unfolds in the evening when the entire family gathers at a riverbank or water body to offer the evening Arghya (offering) to the setting Sun at 5:40 PM. This communal gathering creates a powerful spiritual atmosphere where devotees stand waist-deep in water, holding traditional bamboo baskets filled with offerings including fruits, sugarcane, and coconuts, while chanting prayers and hymns dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.
Usha Arghya – Morning offerings to rising sun and fast completion
The concluding day of Chhath Puja 2025, October 28th (Tuesday), brings the festival to its spiritual climax with Usha Arghya and Parana. Before dawn breaks, devoted practitioners return to the same water body to offer the morning Arghya to the rising Sun, scheduled for 6:30 AM. This pre-dawn ritual requires exceptional dedication as devotees must gather in darkness to witness and honor the sun’s emergence.
The Chhath Puja significance reaches its peak during this final offering, as the rising sun represents new beginnings, hope, and the fulfillment of prayers. Once this ultimate offering is completed, the nearly 36-hour fast is ceremonially broken with Prasad and water through a ritual known as Parana. This moment marks the successful completion of the Vrat and signifies the devotee’s spiritual achievement after days of rigorous observance and unwavering faith.
Astrological Significance Making 2025 Extra Special
Sun Transiting Through Libra in Debilitation Sign
In 2025, Chhath Puja 2025 holds extraordinary astrological significance as the Sun will be transiting through Libra, which is considered its debilitation sign. This celestial positioning makes the festival particularly powerful for spiritual transformation and healing. When the Sun moves through its weakest zodiacal position, devotees who participate in Chhath Puja astrological importance rituals can help balance and strengthen this cosmic energy through their unwavering devotion and gratitude.
The debilitated Sun in Libra represents a time when solar energy requires conscious strengthening through spiritual practices. During this period, the prayers and offerings made to Surya Dev become even more potent, as devotees actively work to harmonize the Sun’s diminished cosmic influence through their faith and dedication.
Enhanced Spiritual Benefits Through Devotional Practices
Now that we understand the astrological context, the devotional practices during Chhath festival rituals become incredibly significant in 2025. The alignment encourages humility and emotional balance, reminding devotees to respect both light and shadow as two sides of the same cosmic truth. This unique positioning amplifies the spiritual benefits of traditional Chhath observances.
The 36-hour nirjala fast, combined with the Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya offerings, creates a powerful spiritual discipline that directly counteracts the Sun’s weakened state. The ritual of standing knee-deep in water while offering prayers to both the setting and rising Sun helps devotees channel pure devotional energy that can transform the challenging astrological influence into spiritual growth and inner strength.
Strengthening Solar Energy for Confidence and Vitality
With this astrological backdrop in mind, Chhath Puja benefits in 2025 extend far beyond traditional spiritual rewards. Offering Arghya during this period is specifically said to strengthen one’s solar energy, directly improving confidence, focus, and vitality. The Sun’s energy during this time, despite being in debilitation, is believed to have enhanced healing properties when approached with proper devotion.
Performing Surya Arghya at sunrise and sunset helps balance energy, enhance immunity, and promote mental clarity. The seven horses of the Sun’s chariot represent the seven colors of light that carry healing energy, and these rays become particularly therapeutic when honored during the Sun’s transit through Libra. This makes the Chhath Puja significance in 2025 especially profound for those seeking to boost their personal solar energy and overall well-being.
Special Benefits for Those with Weak Sun in Horoscopes
Previously mentioned astrological factors make 2025 particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing challenges in their personal charts. Those going through weak Sun periods in their horoscope may particularly benefit from participating in Chhath Puja schedule 2025 rituals. The debilitated Sun transit creates a unique opportunity for these individuals to directly strengthen their solar energy through devoted participation in the festival.
The combination of fasting, water offerings, and direct Sun worship during this specific astrological period can help mitigate the negative effects of a weak Sun placement in one’s birth chart. Devotees with Sun-related challenges such as low confidence, lack of vitality, or leadership difficulties may find remarkable improvement through sincere observance of the four-day Chhath Puja dates 2025 rituals. This makes why Chhath Puja special 2025 particularly relevant for those seeking to overcome solar deficiencies in their astrological profiles.
Health and Spiritual Benefits of Observing Chhath
Healing Properties of Sun’s Energy During Festival Period
The sacred rituals of Chhath Puja 2025 harness the powerful healing properties of solar energy during specific periods when the sun’s rays offer maximum therapeutic benefits. Standing in direct sunlight during the prescribed ritual times provides the body with essential Vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in protecting every organ system. This includes strengthening the cardiac muscle, supporting lung lining health, and maintaining robust bone density. The timing of Chhath Puja ceremonies is deliberately aligned with optimal solar radiation periods, allowing devotees to absorb these healing energies naturally.
Immunity Enhancement and Mental Clarity Through Rituals
Medical observations reveal that participants in Chhath Puja experience significant immunity enhancement and mental clarity benefits. The rigorous ritual practices trigger the secretion of endorphins – the body’s natural “happy hormones” – which foster positive thinking patterns and contribute to balanced mental health. Devotees who engage in these sacred practices demonstrate remarkable calmness and mental stability, with negative emotions such as jealousy, hatred, anger, and irritability becoming negligible. The combination of extreme hygiene practices, proximity to nature, and three days of devoted worship helps rectify neurotransmitter imbalances while instilling positivity, calmness, and self-contentment.
Energy Balancing Through Sunrise and Sunset Offerings
The practice of offering prayers during both sunrise and sunset creates a unique energy balancing effect that supports overall well-being. Working around water bodies during these ritual times fosters a deep connection with nature, allowing devotees to witness the complete solar cycle while maintaining physical activity near natural water sources. When the body experiences dehydration during fasting periods, proximity to flowing water helps balance the body’s hydration levels, as the skin naturally absorbs fresh, flowing water from rivers and other water bodies used for ceremonial purposes.
Physical and Spiritual Well-being Through Disciplined Fasting
The 36-hour fasting period observed during Chhath Puja 2025 offers profound detoxification benefits that align with modern medical understanding of intermittent fasting. Medical studies confirm that this fasting practice supports body weight control and helps manage chronic conditions such as blood pressure and gastric problems often caused by contemporary fast-food consumption. During the fasting period, the body naturally sheds older tissues and fat deposits, facilitating cellular regeneration processes. This biological renewal empowers the body to combat acidic imbalances and enhances the removal of stored harmful fats, contributing to both physical purification and spiritual elevation.
Cultural and Religious Importance
Direct Devotee-Deity Connection Without Priestly Intervention
Chhath Puja stands unique among Hindu festivals as it eliminates the traditional role of priests or intermediaries in religious worship. The festival empowers devotees, known as parvaitin, to establish a direct spiritual connection with Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya through personal devotion and self-conducted rituals. This democratic approach to worship makes the festival accessible to people from all backgrounds, as devotees themselves prepare the offerings, perform the prayers, and conduct all ceremonial activities without requiring religious guidance from clergy.
The parvaitin take complete responsibility for maintaining ritual purity, from the preparation of prasada to the offering of arghya at water bodies. This self-reliant worship system strengthens the personal bond between the devotee and the divine, fostering a deeper sense of spiritual responsibility and authentic devotion that comes from within rather than external religious authority.
Festival of Equality, Faith and Nature Worship
The cultural importance of Chhath Puja lies in its remarkable demonstration of equality and inclusivity. All devotees, regardless of their social or economic status, prepare similar prasada and offerings, creating a unified celebration where differences dissolve in shared devotion. The festival transcends gender boundaries as well – while the main worshippers are traditionally women, men also actively observe this festival, making it truly inclusive.
Chhath Puja’s emphasis on nature worship makes it one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals, as recognized by environmentalists. The rituals involve direct interaction with natural elements – rivers, ponds, and other water bodies serve as sacred spaces for worship. The festival promotes environmental consciousness through the cleaning of surroundings and maintaining the sanctity of water bodies. This deep reverence for natural elements reflects the ancient Vedic understanding of the interconnectedness between human life and nature’s bounty.
Worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for Family Prosperity
The festival centers on the veneration of Surya, the Sun God, who represents the visible divine force accessible to every being on Earth. According to the reference traditions, the Sun is considered the basis of life for all creatures, making this worship universally relevant. Alongside Surya, devotees worship Chhathi Maiya – the sixth form of Prakriti and Surya’s sister – who is believed to protect children and grant them long life and good health by shielding them from illnesses and diseases.
The parvaitin pray specifically for the well-being of their family and the prosperity of their children during the four-day observance. This family-centric aspect of worship strengthens bonds within households and extends to the broader community. The festival’s timing after Deepavali, lasting until the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, symbolically establishes a period dedicated to expressing gratitude for life’s blessings and seeking divine protection for future generations.
Traditional Folk Songs and Community Celebrations at Water Bodies
The cultural richness of Chhath Puja manifests beautifully through traditional folk songs sung during the festivities, particularly during the night following the Sandhya Arghya rituals. These melodious devotional songs, passed down through generations, create an atmosphere of collective worship and cultural continuity. The rhythmic chanting and singing enhance the spiritual experience while preserving the festival’s oral traditions.
Water bodies – rivers, ponds, and other large water sources – serve as the primary venues for community celebrations. When natural water bodies are unavailable, communities create temporary setups using tanks or fountains, demonstrating the adaptability while maintaining ritual authenticity. The gathering of entire households at riverbanks, along with friends, family members, and community participants, transforms these spaces into vibrant centers of collective devotion. The communal aspect extends beyond immediate families, as other participants and onlookers actively help devotees and receive blessings, fostering a spirit of unity and shared spiritual experience that strengthens community bonds across the Indo-Nepalese cultural landscape.
Chhath Puja 2025 presents a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and divine connection, with the four-day festival schedule from October 25-28 offering devotees a structured path of purification and devotion. The astrological significance of the Sun transiting through Libra during this period makes the prayers and offerings particularly powerful, as devotees can help balance weakened solar energy through their unwavering faith and gratitude. The health benefits of the sunrise and sunset rituals, combined with the disciplined fasting practices, create a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being.
This ancient festival continues to demonstrate its timeless relevance, requiring no priests or intermediaries—just pure devotion and direct connection with the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Whether you’re observing the complete four-day ritual or participating in specific ceremonies, Chhath Puja 2025 offers everyone a chance to experience the profound cultural heritage and spiritual transformation that millions of devotees have cherished for generations. Embrace this sacred journey of discipline, gratitude, and renewal as you welcome the divine blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness into your life.
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