The origin and history of Chhath Puja are deeply rooted in India’s ancient cultural, spiritual, and mythological traditions. It is considered one of the oldest known festivals dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya (also known as Usha, the Goddess of Dawn). Below is a detailed explanation of why and how Chhath Puja came into existence:
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🌞 1. Meaning of “Chhath”
The word “Chhath” means sixth, and the festival is celebrated on the sixth day (Shashthi Tithi) of the bright lunar fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month Kartik (October–November).
It is also observed in some regions during Chaitra month (March–April).
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🕉️ 2. Ancient Vedic Roots
Chhath Puja is believed to date back to the Vedic period, making it one of the oldest known Hindu rituals.
In the Rigveda, there are hymns devoted to the Sun God that describe similar rituals of offering arghya (water offerings) to Surya for health, longevity, and prosperity.
Ancient sages (rishis) are said to have practiced this form of sun worship to absorb solar energy and improve physical and mental well-being.
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👑 3. Chhath Puja in the Epic “Ramayana”
According to legend:
When Lord Rama and Goddess Sita returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, Sita observed a fast and worshipped Surya Dev on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla Paksha.
She prayed for the welfare and prosperity of their kingdom.
This is considered one of the earliest royal observances of Chhath Puja.
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⚔️ 4. Chhath Puja in the “Mahabharata”
Another popular legend links the festival to Kunti and Draupadi:
It is believed that Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, observed this fast and received the blessing of Surya Dev, which led to the birth of Karna, who himself was a great devotee of the Sun God.
Later, Draupadi and the Pandavas also performed Chhath rituals to regain their lost kingdom and restore peace and prosperity.
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🌅 5. Worship of Surya and Chhathi Maiya
Chhathi Maiya, worshipped during the festival, is considered the sister of Surya Dev or an aspect of Usha (the first light of dawn).
She is believed to protect children and grant health, happiness, and longevity to devotees’ families.
The rituals of offering arghya to both the setting and rising sun symbolize gratitude to nature — honoring both the beginnings and endings of life’s cycles.
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🌾 6. Connection with Nature and Agriculture
Chhath Puja is also seen as a festival of ecological harmony:
It is celebrated after the harvest season, thanking the Sun for sustaining life on Earth.
The offerings — fruits, sugarcane, rice, and thekua — represent the bounty of nature.
The rituals are performed on riverbanks or water bodies, symbolizing the essential relationship between the Sun, water, and life.
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🧘 7. Spiritual and Scientific Significance
Chhath is a festival of purity, self-discipline, and detoxification:
The fasting, water immersion, and sun exposure are believed to purify the body and mind.
Scientifically, offering arghya to the rising and setting sun at specific angles provides solar energy absorption, balancing the body’s energy and improving immunity.
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🌍 8. Regional and Cultural Evolution
Although primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, Chhath Puja has spread across India and the world due to migration.
It has become a symbol of Bhojpuri and Maithili identity and Indian environmental spirituality.
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💫 9. Symbol of Gratitude and Discipline
The festival teaches gratitude, simplicity, and devotion — not through luxury, but through austerity and purity.
Every act in Chhath — from cleaning surroundings to making offerings in handmade bamboo baskets — is a reminder to live harmoniously with nature.
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🪔 10. Essence and Eternal Message
Chhath Puja celebrates the eternal truth that the Sun is the source of life and light is divine energy.
By worshipping the Sun and Chhathi Maiya, devotees reconnect with cosmic forces, purify their minds, and seek divine blessings for a balanced and righteous life.
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