Chhath Puja SoCal

Our Mission

Our organization is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. We aim to foster a deep respect for cultural heritage, promote community involvement, and ensure that the rich traditions of Chhath Puja continue to thrive across generations.

About Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a significant festival celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh and in the Terai region of Nepal. The festival is marked by four days of rituals, including , fasting, and offering prayers to the rising and setting sun. It is a time of devotion, purification, and communal harmony.

Ritiuals

Chhath Puja is celebrated across 4 days

Nahay-Khay

Nahay-Khay marks the beginning of spiritual purification and discipline during Chhath Puja. The term “Nahay-Khay” literally means “to bathe and eat.” On this day, devotees, especially vratin (or vrati), take a holy bath in a river or pond and thoroughly clean their homes and kitchens, symbolizing both internal and external purity. They then prepare and consume a single, simple, and satvik (pure vegetarian) meal—typically consisting of pumpkin, bottle gourd (lauki), chana dal, and arwa chawal (non-parboiled rice)—cooked in bronze or earthen utensils over a clay stove using natural fuels like mango wood. Nahay-Khay sets the spiritual tone for the rest of Chhath Puja
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Kharna

Kharna, is the second day of Chhath Puja and marks the beginning of a strict fast observed , On this day, devotees observe a full-day fast without water, which they break in the evening after sunset with a sacred meal known as prasad. The prasad typically includes gud ki kheer , roti(usually made of wheat flour), and sliced fruits. This meal is prepared in a purified environment, without salt, onions, or garlic, and is offered to the deities before being consumed. After Kharna, the vratin begins a 36-hour Nirjala Vrat—a fast without food or water—dedicated entirely to prayer, discipline, and devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
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Sandhya Arghya

Sandhya Arghya is the third day of Chhath Puja and one of its most visually and spiritually powerful moments. On this day, devotees, along with family and community members, gather on riverbanks or ponds to offer the first Arghya (offering) to the setting sun. They carry beautifully decorated soop and daura (bamboo baskets) filled with offerings such as fruits, thekua, sugarcane, and other ritual items. Dressed in traditional attire, the vratin / Varti stands in water and performs prayers and songs (Chhath geet) as the sun sets. The Sandhya Arghya symbolizes gratitude for life's blessings and the cycles of nature, andit reinforces the communal and deeply spiritual aspects of Chhath Puja.

Usha Arghya

Usha Arghya takes place on the fourth and final day of Chhath Puja, when devotees offer their prayers and final arghya to the rising sun. This morning ritual often begins before dawn, with devotees assembling once again at water bodies, maintaining their fast and high spiritual discipline. As the first rays of sunlight appear, the vratin/ vrati, standing in water, offers the arghya with the same reverence and offerings used the previous evening. This marks theculmination of the nirjala vrat and isfollowed by breaking the fast (paran)with the same simplicity and purity that began the ritual. Usha Arghya signifies new beginnings, hope, and the blessings of health, harmony, and prosperity from Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Event Description

RSVP

The Team

Chhath Puja SoCal is an organization run by devotees and volunteers. The entire operation is conducted through Committees. Volunteering is open to all devotees and registered family members. One can choose their volunteering preference while registering on the website.

What we do.....

Join Our Team !!!

Organize Events

We host community gatherings, prayer meetings, and cultural programs to celebrate Chhath Puja with grandeur and reverence

Educational Initiatives

We conduct workshops, seminars, and outreach programs to educate people about the history, significance, and rituals of Chhath Puja.

Support and Resources

We provide guidance, resources, and support to individuals and families observing Chhath Puja, ensuring they can perform the rituals with ease and understanding.