Tue Nov 05 01:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Chhath Puja Begins Today: Millions Celebrate the Festival of Sun God
**New Delhi, India:** The annual Chhath Puja festival, a sacred and ancient celebration dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, commenced today, November 5th, with the first day, “Nहाय खाय.”
Chhath Puja, particularly significant in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, is a four-day long festival where devotees observe strict fasting and offer prayers to the Sun God for prosperity, good health, and happiness.
The festival, which will continue until November 8th, is marked by a series of rituals culminating in offering prayers to the setting and rising sun. Devotees observe stringent rules, including fasting and maintaining purity.
The Chhath Puja festivities include “Nहाय खाय” (bathing and consuming a simple meal), “खरना” (a special meal with sweet potatoes and kheer), “Sandhya Arghya” (offering prayers to the setting sun), and “Prat:hkalin Arghya” (offering prayers to the rising sun).
People gather at the banks of holy rivers like the Ganges and Yamuna, or lakes, to offer their prayers to the Sun God.
The festival is a testament to the deep-rooted cultural and religious traditions of the region, and the celebrations are filled with vibrant colors, devotional songs, and a sense of community.
Wishing everyone celebrating Chhath Puja a happy and prosperous festival!
First Piper 