Chhath Puja 2023: The Festival Begins On November 17- Know Each Day's Rituals

Chhath Parv is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. However, the festival commences with nahay-khay on the fourth day, and the fast is concluded on the seventh day. 

Chhath Puja 2023 ( Image Source :Getty )

Chhath Puja 2023: With just a few days left for the beginning of Chhath Puja, preparations for the worship of Chhath Maiya and Surya Dev have started everywhere, and songs dedicated to them are being sung in every household. It's worth mentioning that this grand festival spanning four days is dedicated to Shashthi Mata, the sister of Usha, Nature, Water, Air, and Surya Dev. The tradition of offering arghya to Surya Dev, especially, has been ongoing for centuries, and people still celebrate it with devotion and complete faith. Hence, it is referred to as a grand festival of local tradition.

According to the calendar, Chhath Parv is celebrated on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla Paksha. However, the festival commences with nahay-khay on the fourth day, and the fast is concluded on the seventh day. 

Chhath Puja 2023 Dates:

Chhath Puja lasts for four days, and the observers observe a Nirjala fast for 36 hours. Therefore, Chhath Vrat is considered one of the challenging fasts. This year, Chhath Puja begins on November 17, 2023. On this day, devotees will start the Chhath Puja with nahay-khay. Meanwhile, on November 20, the Chhath Puja will conclude with Usha Arghya and Parana.

Chhath Vrat is observed for the long life of spouses, the happiness of progeny, and the prosperity of the home. Let's find out what activities are performed on each day of Chhath Puja from November 17 to November 20.

Chhath Puja 2023 Calendar:

• Friday, November 17, 2023: First Day - Nahay-Khay
• Saturday, November 18, 2023: Second Day - Kharna
• Sunday, November 19, 2023: Third Day - Sandhya Arghya
• Monday, November 20, 2023: Fourth Day - Usha Arghya

Nahay-Khay 2023 Date:

Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay, making this day particularly special. This year, Nahay-Khay falls on Friday, November 17, 2023. On this day, the sunrise is at 6:45 AM, and the sunset is at 5:27 PM. Devotees taking part in the fast start their day with a bath in the river, followed by wearing new clothes and accepting prasad. During the Nahay-Khay of Chhath Puja, dishes such as kaddu-chana dal ki sabzi, rice, etc., are prepared as prasad. All prasad is made with rock salt and ghee. After the devotee accepts prasad, other family members also partake in this sattvic offering.

Kharna 2023 Date:

The second day of Chhath Puja is Kharna, which falls on Saturday, November 18, 2023, this year. On this day, the sunrise is at 6:46 AM, and the sunset is at 5:26 PM. On Kharna day, the individual who is fasting consumes a sweet meal only once in the evening. On this day, the main prasad is rice kheer, prepared by burning mango wood in an earthen stove. After accepting this prasad, the observer begins the Nirjala Vrat (fast without water) which continues until the next evening, followed by the Parana.

Sandhya Arghya 2023 Date and Time:

This is the crucial third day of Chhath Puja. On this day, all family members go to the water body and offer arghya to the setting sun. This year, the Arghya will be offered on Sunday, November 19, 2023. The sunset is at 5:26 PM on this day. People decorate the offerings and perform a parikrama while standing in waist-deep water.

Usha Arghya 2023 Date:

The final day of Chhath Puja, the fourth day or Saptami, involves offering arghya to the rising sun. This year, Usha Arghya will be performed on Monday, November 20, 2023. The sunrise is at 6:47 AM on this day. After this, the fasting individual accepts prasad and concludes the Chhath Puja with Parana.