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New Delhi: The final day of Chhath Puja is called Usha Arghya, when devotees offer water to the rising sun. This sacred act marks the end of a four-day fast that celebrates faith, purity, and gratitude. The morning begins before sunrise, filled with peace, prayer, and the soft glow of lamps near the riverbanks.
After offering Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) to the setting sun a day before, devotees wake early to prepare for the Usha Arghya—a prayer to the first rays of dawn. It symbolizes renewal, hope, and the strength to begin again.
1. Early morning bath and preparation
Before sunrise, devotees take a dip in holy water—often in rivers, ponds, or even small household tanks. This act is believed to purify the body and soul.
Women observing the fast, known as Vratis, wear clean traditional clothes, usually yellow or orange sarees, representing energy and devotion.
2. Setting up the Arghya Thali (Offering basket)
A bamboo basket or soop is prepared with fruits like bananas, sugarcane, coconut, lemon, and thekua (a homemade sweet). Fresh flowers and lamps are also placed in the basket.
Every item in this offering holds meaning—each symbolizing life, abundance, and purity.
3. Standing in Water to Offer Arghya
As the first rays of the sun appear, devotees stand waist-deep in water facing the east. Holding a copper or brass vessel filled with milk and water, they raise it toward the rising sun and slowly pour the offering while reciting the Usha Arghya Mantra.
The chant connects the devotee’s mind to Surya Dev, seeking blessings for health, happiness, and family well-being.
Usha Arghya Mantra (Morning Offering Mantra)
ॐ ऐहि सूर्य सहस्त्रांशो तेजोराशे जगत्पते। अनुकम्पय मां भक्त्या गृहाणार्घ्यं दिवाकर।।
Simple Transliteration: Om Aahi Surya Sahastransho Tejorashe Jagatpate, Anukampaya Maam Bhaktiya, Grihan Arghyam Divakar.
Meaning: “O radiant Sun, source of endless light and lord of the world, please accept this offering made with devotion.”
4. Prayers to Chhathi Maiya
After the Arghya is offered, devotees pray to Chhathi Maiya, the goddess who blesses children and protects families. The prayer expresses gratitude for health, happiness, and prosperity.
Women sing traditional folk songs passed down through generations, filling the air with emotion and devotion.
5. Breaking the Fast (Parana)
Once the Usha Arghya is complete, the 36-hour fast comes to an end. Devotees return home and perform Parana, the ritual of breaking the fast. They first eat prasad—usually thekua and fruits—from the offering, then share it with family and neighbors.
6. Traditions and Family Gatherings Throughout the Day
After the morning rituals, the day continues with family gatherings and the sharing of prasad. Homes are decorated with lamps and flowers. Relatives visit each other to offer greetings and blessings. The atmosphere remains calm and joyous, marked by devotion rather than festivity.
Many people also clean their homes, light incense, and offer prayers to Surya Dev once more, thanking him for light, warmth, and life. The fast and rituals end with gratitude and quiet celebration.
The Usha Arghya ritual is not only about offering water to the sun. It is a prayer for inner light and strength. When devotees stand in the cold water before dawn, they experience silence, surrender, and spiritual connection. It teaches patience, humility, and gratitude.
Each ray of the rising sun represents healing and hope. The ritual reminds us that life always offers a new beginning, no matter how dark the night might be.
Chhath Puja unites families, communities, and generations. The simple rituals of bathing, fasting, and offering Arghya connect human life with nature’s rhythm. It teaches that faith lies not in grandeur, but in sincerity and self-control.
From Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi and across India, the spirit of Chhath Puja remains the same—devotion, purity, and gratitude for the Sun, the giver of life.
The Usha Arghya of Chhath Puja 2025 carries deep spiritual value. It marks the victory of light over darkness and devotion over desire. When the morning sun rises and the devotees fold their hands in prayer, the moment becomes timeless—a bridge between the human heart and the divine light of Surya Dev.
May this Chhath bring peace, prosperity, and harmony to every home that prays with faith and gratitude.
