Here the holy festival of Chhath Puja is also known as Mahaparva. This year, the festival of Chhath dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhath Mata will be celebrated from 17 to 20 November. It is one of the biggest festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Uttarakhand. According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath falls on the sixth day of the month ‘Kartik’. It is believed that celebrating Chhath brings happiness and prosperity in life and traditionally Chhath is celebrated for the well-being of children.
Chhath Puja and Fasting
The 4-day festival begins with the ritual of Nahaye Khaye, in which devotees observe a fast and begin with a holy bath in the river Ganges and then use the Ganges water to make traditional offerings of boiled rice, gourd curry and pakodas. We do. The food is cooked on an earthen stove and does not use onion or garlic. The bhog is first served to the deities, and then eaten by the devotees. It is believed that Bhog helps purify the body and prepare it for the 36-hour fast.
The second day of the festival is called Kharna. In this, devotees observe a fast and after sunset prepare Pori, Kheer, Jaggery Kheer and Roti and offer them to the Gods and then the devotees eat them. In states that celebrate Chhath, asking for this prasad is considered pleasurable and people often go to others to eat this prasad in the evening.
Also read: 9 foods associated with Chhath that inspire nostalgia

The third day begins with a 36-hour fast, which ends after sunrise on the fourth day. On the third day, devotees observe Nirjala fast and prepare for the evening Argha. The preparation involves preparing the most popular bejog of Thekua and decorating the basket with all the essential fruits and vegetables like dabh nimbu, coconut, apple, banana, sugarcane, radish, custard apple, kasar etc. At sunset, people go to the river bank, or on these days, prepare their own small pool to offer Argha of milk or water to Lord Surya and pray for the well-being of the family. The same ritual is performed on the fourth and last day of the festival, where devotees offer Argh to the rising sun, ending the fast and the festival.
Chhath Puja Date and Time
Chhath Puja, Day 1
17 November
bathe and eat
Sunrise at 06:45 am
Sunset at 05:27 pm
Chhath Puja Day 2
18 November 2023
Kharna
Sunrise at 06:46 am
Sunset at 05:26 pm
Chhath Puja Day 3
19 November 2023
Chhath Puja, Evening Arghya
Sunrise at 06:46 am
Sunset at 05:26 pm
Chhath Puja Day 4
20 November 2023
Usha Arghya, Day of Paran
Sunrise at 06:47 am
Sunset at 05:26 pm
Also read:Importance of Thekua in Chhath Puja and how to make it at home

Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?
The 4-day festival is celebrated for the well-being of the family. Traditionally, this festival is celebrated by mothers for the good health and prosperity of their children. These days, people of all age groups celebrate this festival for their overall well-being. Also, helping those observing fast during this festival is considered very auspicious and that is why people willingly help at the ghats and even to the neighbors celebrating the festival. Cleanliness plays an important role in this festival and hence the roads are also cleaned and washed by the local authorities.

Traditional dishes made on Chhath Puja
Take a look at these traditional dishes made on Chhath Puja.
Kaddu Bhaat
This combo is made on the first day of the 4-day festival and is aimed at purifying the body. It consists of bottle gourd cooked in ghee and served with boiled rice cooked on an earthen stove.
thekua
Thekua refers to fried crispy discs made of wheat flour, ghee, sugar or jaggery, cardamom powder, grated coconut and dry fruits.
Country
It is a mixture of ground rice and jaggery, which keeps the body warm during the winter season.
green gram
Rich in fibre, protein and vitamins, green gram is soaked overnight, fried in ghee with cumin seeds and green chillies and served as prasad.
rice pudding
It is a delicious combination of full-cream milk, rice, nuts and sugar.
ratio
Another kheer recipe is made with water, rice, jaggery, ginger and cardamom powder.