Chhath Puja is among the most sacred of Bihar state. Indian festivals—observed with utmost devotion, ritual cleanliness, and intense communal involvement for well-being. The festival honors Surya Dev, the Sun God. (Image Source: Pinterest)
Chhath Puja is among the most sacred of Bihar state. Indian festivals observed with utmost devotion, ritual cleanliness, and intense communal involvement for well-being.
The festival honors Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya (also seen as Usha, the goddess of the dawn). Through its four-day cycle of fasting, sacred bathing, and water's edge adoration, Chhath Puja represents thanks for the sun's life-giving power, the rejuvenation of nature, and the health of one's kin.
In Bhagalpur, a Bihar district with its own riverside ghats and age-old local practices, this festival assumes special meaning.
For Bhagalpur, however, the precise local muhurat (Sandhya Arghya time) would be slightly different, but according to pan-Bihar timings, sunset will be roughly 05:40 PM on 27 October.
The sunrise (Usha Arghya) of the very next morning on 28 October will be around 06:24 AM.
For Bhagalpur district, followers must observe Sandhya Arghya on the night of 27 October 2025.
In Bhagalpur, as in the majority of Bihar, the order of rituals is:
Day 1 – Nahay Khay (25 October): Followers bathe ritually in the river/pond (e.g., the Ganga River at local ghats) and have a light satvik meal.
Day 2 – Kharna (26 October): A day-long waterless fast; in the evening a special prasad is offered.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (27 October): The key evening ceremony—standing in water at the riverbank/ghat, offering arghya (water, milk, fruits) to the disappearing sun. For Bhagalpur, devotees are to congregate at a ghat like Barari Pul Ghat that is famous for Chhath celebrations.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya & Parana (28 October): Early morning before sunrise, offer to the morning sun and then break the fast.
Bath in the river on the 25th of October morning, clean the house, and cook only pure veg food (no onion/garlic).
On 26 October, fast from dawn to dusk; in the evening, serve prasad (e.g., rice pudding, chapatis) and break the fast with family members.
On the evening of 27 October, go to a riverbank/ghat like Barari Pul Ghat near Bhagalpur, wade waist-deep into water, and hold a bamboo basket (soop) containing thekua, fruits, sugarcane, and an earthen lamp. Pay arghya to the setting sun (~ 05:40 PM).
On 28th October early morning, prior to sunrise (~ 06:30 AM), go to the ghat, take Usha Arghya to the rising sun, then break your fast (Parana) and share prasad.
For the Bhagalpur area on the crucial day (27 October 2025), sunset time is around 05:40 PM.
