Chhath Puja is among the strongest displays of worship in Hindu culture specially in the regions of Bihar and UP-East, and it is celebrated with utmost respect for Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Sandhya Arghya, occurring on the third day, is an importance stage of the four-day festival and is famous for its intense spiritual environment and unique rituals.
Sandhya Arghya is the offering given to Surya Bhagwan (Lord Sun) in the evening, displaying thanksgiving for the power, energy, and vitality infused by the Sun God. It is believed by devotees that prayers offered at sunset bestow divine grace of health, wealth, and peace on their homes. The offering also depicts a sense of respect for the cycle of life, embracing the fact that each end is a way for new beginnings.
Sandhya Arghya preparations typically start at sunrise, when worshippers clean their environs and arrange spots at riverbanks, ponds, or community ghats. They are adorned with altars and bamboo containers (soop) filled with customary prasad pieces such as thekua, fruits, coconut, sugarcane, and lit diyas. The cleanliness of environment and offerings is important in inviting divine blessings and positive energy.
Chhath Puja's third day fasting ritual is deep: the devotees observe Nirjala vrat, keeping themselves from food and water since Kharna (Second Day's lunch). This austerity is not just physical in nature, it transcends physical austerity in being a channel for devotion, a boost to inner concentration, and an act of submission to higher divine powers.
At the onset of dusk, families dressed in traditional attires gather together towards water bodies, bearing soop and offerings to the divine. Hymns and folk songs reverberate, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere. Women take the lead by wading waist-deep into water, lighting diyas, and extending folded hands towards the golden horizon. The ritual of Arghya represents humility, gratitude, and a prayer for the health and happiness of their loved ones.
Chhath Puja is a festival of unity, one that transcends personal devotion and unites entire communities. Following the Arghya, neighbors and families exchange prasad and blessings, strengthening connections and cultural pride. The festival is not only celebrated in India but also where diaspora communities live, proving its universal message.
Chhath Puja's third day calls to mind for worshippers to discover strength, modesty, and belief in the rhythm of nature. Sandhya Arghya rituals and rigors remind them of the timelessness of tradition and social bonds and assuring hope and rebirth as dusk descends and a new day breaks.
