Bihar and beyond celebrate Chhath festival with ‘Nahay Khay’ ritual

The four-day-long Chhath festival , dedicated to the Sun God Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya, began across Bihar and other regions on Saturday with the first ritual, ‘Nahay Khay’ , drawing massive crowds of devotees. Chhath, meaning “sixth,” is observed on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik and honours the Sun, water, and nature.

During Nahay Khay , which literally means “bath and eat” , devotees take a holy dip in rivers or ponds to purify themselves and then consume simple sattvic food. At Danapur, ghats including Fakkar Mahto Ghat, Gurudwara Ghat, and Nariyal Ghat were filled with devotees performing the sacred bathing ceremony and preparing offerings of Arwa rice, gram dal, and pumpkin vegetable for Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Women devotees sang traditional Chhath songs and explained the significance of the rituals to younger participants.

Swati, a devotee from Patna, said, “Chhath is the worship of nature. We honour the sun and water, and in return, we pray for nature’s blessings and prosperity.” Reena Singh added, “Life has its ups and downs, but Chhath teaches us to face them with enthusiasm, care for nature, and look after people around us.”

The Dev Surya Temple in Aurangabad, believed to date back to the Treta Yuga, attracted devotees from Bihar, neighbouring states, and even abroad. This year, over 20 lakh devotees participated in the rituals.

While Chhath is most prominently celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal , it is also observed by communities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata , as well as by the Indian diaspora abroad. With India’s population exceeding 1.4 billion , Chhath continues to be one of the largest mass Hindu festivals in the country.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to devotees across India and the world on the sacred occasion of Chhath Mahaparv, which began today with Nahay Khay. The Prime Minister paid tribute to the unwavering devotion of all vratis and highlighted the cultural significance of this four-day festival. He also acknowledged the growing global recognition of Chhath, noting that Indian families worldwide participate in its rituals with heartfelt devotion. To mark the occasion, Shri Modi shared a devotional song dedicated to Chhathi Maiya, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in its spiritual resonance.

The festival will continue from October 25 to 28 , with rituals including Kharna on Panchami, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and concluding Usha Arghya on Saptami, marking the breaking of a 36-hour waterless fast. Chhath Mahaparv remains a symbol of devotion, harmony with nature, and communal unity.