Mon Oct 27 01:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Chhath Puja Celebrated Across India, Devotees Offer Prayers to Setting Sun
[City, Date] – Chhath Puja, a major Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, is being celebrated with fervor across India. The four-day festival, which began on October 25th, culminates today with devotees offering “arghya” (oblations) to the setting sun.
Chhath Puja is observed primarily in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. The festival is especially significant for women, who observe a rigorous fast for the well-being and prosperity of their families, particularly for the longevity of their children.
Today, on the third day of Chhath Puja, devotees gathered at riverbanks, ponds, and even in their homes to offer prayers to the setting sun. Dressed in traditional attire, they stood in waist-deep water, holding offerings of fruits, sweets (“thekua”), coconuts, and sugarcane stalks in bamboo baskets. The ritual involves facing the setting sun and offering water while chanting mantras like “Om Suryaya Namah.”
Offering prayers to the setting sun is a key element of Chhath Puja. It symbolizes gratitude towards nature and acceptance of life’s cycles. According to beliefs, the evening “arghya” is dedicated to Pratyusha, the wife of the Sun God, representing the sun’s last rays.
Tomorrow, the festival will conclude with devotees offering “arghya” to the rising sun, completing the auspicious rituals.
[Include a quote from a devotee about their experience and the significance of the festival.]
The tradition of offering prayers to the Sun in a copper vessel is considered highly auspicious, said to generate positive energy. Devotees are advised to use a copper vessel and add red sandalwood, vermillion, and red flowers to the water. Chanting the “Om Suryaya Namah” mantra eleven times and circumambulating three times while facing the sun is also prescribed.
Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival; it is a vibrant cultural expression that brings communities together, fostering devotion, gratitude, and a deep connection with nature.
First Piper 