Chhath Puja in Varanasi: Complete History, Rituals & Ghats

Chhath Puja in Varanasi: Ancient History, Sacred Shlokas, Proverbs, Rituals & The Ultimate Kashi Ghat Guide 

Varanasi, known across millennia as Kashi—the City of Light—is not merely a destination on the map of India; it is an eternal spiritual ecosystem where ancient Vedic traditions breathe through everyday life. While the city draws millions of seekers year-round to its sacred stone steps and the rhythmic clanging of temple bells, few festivals transform the soul of Banaras quite like Chhath Puja.

As the timeless Indian proverb wisely reminds us, "उगते सूरज को तो हर कोई सलाम करता है, पर छठ ही है जो डूबते सूरज को भी अर्घ्य देता है" ("Everyone salutes the rising sun, yet it is only Chhath that bows in gratitude to the setting sun"). Observed with unmatched devotion along the banks of the sacred Ganga in Kashi, Chhath Puja (wikipedia.org) is documented as an ancient four-day Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Usha, the Vedic goddess of dawn and sister of Surya). Unlike almost every other major Hindu celebration, Chhath involves zero idol worship, no elaborate temple rituals, and no priestly intermediaries. Instead, it is a pure, direct communion between humanity and the cosmos—honoring the visible, life-sustaining energy of the Sun through strict self-discipline, environmental harmony, and heartfelt gratitude to both the setting and the rising sun.

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Timeless Proverbs & Traditional Sayings of Chhath Puja

Across Purvanchal, Bihar, and Kashi, the wisdom of Chhath Puja is passed down through evocative folk sayings and proverbs that capture its purity, humility, and devotion:

• "उगते सूरज को तो सब पूजते हैं, छठ सिखाता है कि ढलते सूरज का सम्मान ही नए सवेरे की नींव है।"
  (Everyone worships the rising sun; Chhath teaches that honoring the setting sun is the true foundation of a new dawn.)
• "छठ पर्व नहीं, महापर्व है—जहाँ न कोई पुजारी है, न कोई आडंबर, बस प्रकृति और आस्था का सीधा मिलन है।"
  (Chhath is not merely a festival, it is a Mahaparva—where there is no priest and no ostentation, only a direct union between nature and faith.)
• "काँच ही बाँस के बहँगिया, बहँगी लचकत जाए..."
  (This beloved traditional Chhath folk saying celebrates the humble bamboo basket bending under the weight of pure, nature-grown offerings carried barefoot to the sacred riverbanks.)
• "मन चंगा तो कठौती में गंगा।"
  (When the heart and intentions are pure, the sacred Ganga flows right within one's own vessel—a timeless saying that mirrors Chhath’s emphasis on inner cleanliness and sincerity.)

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Sacred Sanskrit Shlokas & Mantras for Chhath Puja

Rooted in timeless Vedic hymns, Chhath Puja is accompanied by sacred Sanskrit invocations chanted while standing in holy rivers and offering Arghya to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

1. Surya Arghya Mantra (Chanted While Offering Water to the Sun)

“ॐ एहि सूर्य सहस्त्रांशो तेजोराशे जगत्पते।
अनुकम्पय मां भक्त्या गृहाणार्घ्यं दिवाकर॥”

• Transliteration: Om Ehi Surya Sahastransho Tejo-Rashe Jagatpate | Anukampaya Mam Bhaktya Grihanarghyam Divakara ||
• Meaning: "O Lord Surya of a thousand rays, the reservoir of cosmic brilliance and Sovereign Master of the Universe, look upon me with compassion through my heartfelt devotion and accept this sacred water offering (Arghya), O Divine Illuminator."

2. Surya Namaskar Shloka (From the Suryashtakam)

“सप्ताश्वरथमारूढं प्रचण्डं कश्यपात्मजम्।
श्वेतपद्मधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम्॥”

• Transliteration: Saptashvarathamarudham Prachandam Kashyapatmajam | Shvetapadmadharam Devam Tam Suryam Pranamamyaham ||
• Meaning: "I bow in reverence to Lord Surya, the radiant son of Sage Kashyapa, who rides across the heavens in a chariot drawn by seven horses and holds a pure white lotus in His hands."

3. Chhathi Maiya Vandana (From the Shashthi Devi Stotram)

“नमो देव्यै महादेव्यै सिद्ध्यै शान्त्यै नमो नमः।
शुभायै देवसेनायै षष्ठी देव्यै नमो नमः॥”

• Transliteration: Namo Devyai Mahadevyai Siddhyai Shantyai Namo Namah | Shubhayai Devasenayai Shashthi Devyai Namo Namah ||
• Meaning: "Salutations again and again to the Supreme Goddess, the bestower of spiritual perfection and peace; salutations to the auspicious Goddess Devasena, the divine Mother Shashthi (Chhathi Maiya)."

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Where is Chhath Puja Celebrated? Across India and Overseas

Today, Chhath Puja has become so profoundly popular that it is celebrated everywhere—not only across the length and breadth of India, but also overseas across the globe. Because the Sun belongs to all of humanity without boundaries, wherever devotees have traveled, settled, or built communities, they have carried the sacred traditions of Arghya and Chhath Geet with them.

Across India: From the Gangetic Heartland to Every Metro

• Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) & Varanasi: Kashi serves as one of the most iconic spiritual hubs for Chhath Puja. Across Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Ballia, Ghazipur, and Azamgarh, millions gather along the sacred Ganga, Gomti, and Saryu rivers, turning the ancient ghats into a luminous sea of earthen lamps and folk melodies.
• Bihar: Recognized as the cultural epicenter and state festival (Mahaparva) of Bihar, as highlighted on the Bihar Tourism Chhath Puja portal (bihar.gov.in), Chhath is celebrated with monumental devotion in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur (the ancient kingdom of Anga), Munger, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and across the Mithila, Magadh, and Bhojpuri regions.
• Jharkhand: Celebrated with immense fervor across Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro, and Deoghar, where families gather along riverbanks, reservoirs, and sacred ponds (Chhath Ghats).
• West Bengal & Odisha: In Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Siliguri, and across Odisha, vibrant riverfront celebrations light up the Hooghly River, Mahanadi, and local water bodies.
• Every Major Indian City & State: From the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi-NCR and the Arabian Sea at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach to lakesides and rivers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Chandigarh, and Jaipur, Chhath Puja is now celebrated in virtually every corner of India with massive community gatherings and municipal support.

Overseas: A Truly Global Festival

Beyond India’s borders, Chhath Puja’s universal message of gratitude to nature and the Sun has resonated worldwide:

• Nepal: Across the Terai region—including Janakpur, Birgunj, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu—communities celebrate Chhath with identical Vedic rituals, folk songs, and grandeur.
• Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname & Guyana: Carried across the oceans generations ago by indentured heritage communities, Chhath Puja thrives along the beaches, rivers, and sacred lakes of Mauritius, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific.
• North America, Europe, Middle East & Asia-Pacific: Today, vibrant Chhath Puja celebrations take place along the Potomac and Hudson rivers in the United States, lakesides in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, the River Thames and community parks in the United Kingdom, and coastal waterfronts across Australia, Singapore, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman—proving that devotion to Surya Dev knows no geographical limits.

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The Ancient History & Vedic Roots of Chhath Puja

To witness Chhath Puja on the ghats of Varanasi is to witness an unbroken lineage of human devotion that stretches back thousands of years to the dawn of Indian civilization.

1. Vedic Origins and the Rigveda

Long before grand temples were carved from stone, early Vedic sages (Rishis) along the Indo-Gangetic plains worshipped the primary forces of nature—fire, water, wind, earth, and light. Hymns dedicated to Surya (the celestial source of energy, vitality, and consciousness) and Usha (the radiant goddess of dawn who dispels darkness) are prominently featured in the Rigveda, one of the oldest extant texts in human history. Ancient rishis developed rigorous practices of standing waist-deep in sacred rivers at sunrise and sunset while fasting, allowing their bodies and minds to absorb the therapeutic solar spectrum during the safest hours of the day. Modern Chhath rituals are the living preservation of these ancient Vedic solar meditations.

2. The Ramayana Tradition: Lord Rama and Goddess Sita

According to the sacred narratives of the Ramayana, Chhath Puja is deeply tied to the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. As Lord Rama was a descendant of the Suryavansha (the Solar Dynasty), he and Goddess Sita observed a sacred fast during the lunar month of Kartika to honor their divine ancestor, Surya Dev, and pray for the prosperity, righteousness, and well-being of Ram Rajya. On the sixth day (Shashthi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha), they offered Arghya to the setting sun and broke their fast the following morning after worshipping the rising sun—establishing a timeless precedent for devotees across the world.

3. The Mahabharata, Karna, and the Kingdom of Anga

Another foundational historical pillar of Chhath Puja comes from the Mahabharata and centers on Karna, the legendary warrior-king and spiritual son of Surya Dev. Karna ruled the ancient kingdom of Anga (modern-day Bhagalpur and Munger regions of Bihar, culturally linked to Kashi along the Ganga). Renowned for his unmatched generosity and devotion, Karna stood waist-deep in the flowing waters of the Ganges every morning to offer prayers and Arghya to his divine father, Surya, before distributing charity to the needy. Historians and cultural scholars note that this disciplined riverside solar worship spread organically upriver along the Ganga, embedding itself deeply into the spiritual fabric of Varanasi and Purvanchal.

4. Draupadi and the Pandavas in Exile

The Mahabharata also recounts how Draupadi and the Pandavas turned to Chhath Puja during their darkest hour. Stripped of their kingdom and enduring the hardships of forest exile (Vanavasa), the Pandavas sought guidance from the royal sage Dhaumya. Recognizing that only supreme spiritual purification and solar grace could restore their strength, Dhaumya instructed Draupadi to observe the rigorous Chhath vrat (fast) with absolute pavitrata (purity). Following Draupadi’s unwavering devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, the Pandavas regained their vitality, resilience, and eventual sovereignty.

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Spiritual & Scientific Significance of Worshipping the Setting Sun

One of the most profound philosophical aspects of Chhath Puja is that it is perhaps the only festival in the world that offers formal, ceremonial worship to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) before worshipping the rising sun (Usha Arghya).

• A Lesson in Detachment and Gratitude: In human society, people naturally celebrate rising fortunes and beginnings, often turning away from decline or endings. Chhath teaches that every sunset is essential for the next sunrise. By bowing to the setting sun, devotees express gratitude for the cycle of life, acknowledge that endings carry the seed of renewal, and cultivate humility.
• Bio-Energetic and Detoxifying Benefits: From a holistic wellness perspective, the four-day Chhath regimen acts as a profound physiological and mental reset. The transition from a pure sattvic meal on Day 1 to a 36-hour waterless fast (nirjala vrat) triggers cellular autophagy and mental stillness. Standing in cool river water while gazing at the sun through refracted water droplets during dawn and dusk safely stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, balances circadian rhythms during the seasonal shift into winter, and boosts immunity.
• Radical Social Equality and Eco-Consciousness: Chhath Puja dissolves social barriers. On the ghats of Kashi, every devotee stands side by side in the same sacred river, wearing simple traditional attire without ostentation. Furthermore, every single ritual item—handwoven bamboo baskets (Daura), winnowing trays (Soop), earthen lamps (diyas), clay stoves (chulhas), raw turmeric, ginger, sugarcane, and seasonal fruits—is 100% biodegradable, making Chhath one of the most ecologically sustainable festivals on Earth.

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Chhath Puja Calendar: Complete Four-Day Schedule & Varanasi Timings

Chhath Puja takes place annually during the auspicious Shukla Paksha (waxing moon fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika, falling six days after Diwali (in 2026, the festival spans November 13 to November 16). Governed by the principle of Pavitrata (uncompromising cleanliness of body, home, ingredients, and thought), each of the four days carries distinct, sacred responsibilities:

Day 1: Nahay Khay (Kartik Shukla Chaturthi)

• Meaning: "Bathe and Eat."
• Rituals: The festival commences at dawn as devotees take a purifying dip in the sacred Ganga in Varanasi (or bathe with Gangajal at home). Homes and kitchens are thoroughly scrubbed and washed with sacred water.
• The Sacred Meal: Devotees (Vrati) prepare a single, strictly sattvic afternoon meal cooked over traditional earthen stoves (mitti ka chulha) fueled by dried mango wood, avoiding gas stoves and modern utensils. The menu traditionally features bottle gourd (lauki) curry, Bengal gram lentils (chana dal), and steamed rice seasoned strictly with pure rock salt (sendha namak), completely free of onion, garlic, or processed spices.

Day 2: Lohanda & Kharna (Kartik Shukla Panchami)

• Meaning: Internal purification and self-restraint.
• Rituals: Devotees observe a strict waterless fast from sunrise until sunset, maintaining silence, prayer, and spiritual focus throughout the day.
• The Evening Offering: After sunset, devotees worship the Sun and Moon indoors before breaking their day-long fast with a sacred offering of Gur ki Kheer (rice pudding sweetened with organic jaggery and infused with cardamom), plain rotis brushed with pure cow ghee, and bananas. Once this meal is shared as prasad with family and neighbors, the devotee enters the most demanding phase of the festival: a continuous 36-hour nirjala (without food or water) fast.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Kartik Shukla Shashthi)

• Meaning: Evening offering to the setting sun.
• Approximate Varanasi Sunset Timing: 5:10 PM – 5:15 PM
• Rituals: Throughout the morning and afternoon, families prepare traditional offerings, most notably Thekua—a crisp, aromatic sweet crafted from whole wheat flour, jaggery, fennel seeds, coconut, and pure ghee. All offerings, along with whole sugarcane stalks, coconuts, radishes, sweet limes (gaggal), and bananas, are carefully arranged inside bamboo Daura baskets and Soop trays.
• The Ghat Procession: In the late afternoon, families walk barefoot toward the ghats of Varanasi, singing soulful traditional Bhojpuri and Maithili folk songs (Chhath Geet) dedicated to Chhathi Maiya. Entering the sacred waters of the Ganga, devotees stand facing west, holding the Soop aloft while family members pour sacred river water and raw cow’s milk over the offerings as the golden sun dips below the horizon.

Day 4: Usha Arghya & Parana (Kartik Shukla Saptami)

• Meaning: Dawn offering to the rising sun and breaking the fast.
• Approximate Varanasi Sunrise Timing: 6:20 AM – 6:25 AM
• Rituals: Long before dawn breaks over Kashi, thousands of devotees return to the riverbanks under starlit skies. As the eastern horizon glows with crimson and gold, devotees step into the crisp morning waters of the Ganges, offering Arghya to the very first rays of the rising sun. Prayers are offered for family harmony, health, and universal peace. Following the Arghya, devotees perform Parana—breaking their 36-hour fast with ginger, water, and Thekua—and distribute prasad generously to everyone present.

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Experiencing Chhath Puja on the Ghats of Varanasi

Varanasi’s unique geography—where the sacred Ganga curves northward (Uttaravahini) along an unbroken, east-facing crescent of over 80 stone ghats—creates an extraordinary natural amphitheater for Chhath Puja. At sunrise, the sun rises directly across the river, casting a shimmering golden path straight toward the devotees standing in the water.

• Assi Ghat: Located at the southern confluence of the Assi and Ganga rivers, Assi Ghat offers expansive, open stone steps where the serene morning Subah-e-Banaras classical music and Vedic chanting blend effortlessly with thousands of families performing Chhath rituals.
• Dashashwamedh Ghat & Rajendra Prasad Ghat: The vibrant spiritual epicenter of Kashi. Here, the intimate, devotional atmosphere of Chhath Sandhya Arghya merges seamlessly with the world-famous, grand evening Ganga Aarti, creating an unforgettable sensory experience of incense, lamps, and devotion.
• Namo Ghat & Rajghat: Situated at the northern end of the ghat stretch, Namo Ghat features wide, modern landscaped promenades, accessible ramps, and ample space—making it an ideal choice for elderly pilgrims, families with young children, and travelers seeking comfortable movement.
• Tulsi Ghat & Kedar Ghat: Steeped in old-world Banarasi heritage, these ghats offer a deeply authentic, community-centered local atmosphere where generations of Kashi families gather in traditional attire.

Traveler Insider Tip: Booking a private motorized or hand-rowed wooden boat on the Ganges during Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya allows you to glide peacefully along the entire riverfront. From the water, you gain an unobstructed, panoramic view of thousands of flickering earthen diyas, glowing Daura baskets, and devotees immersed in prayer without navigating dense shore crowds.

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Essential Travel & Cultural Etiquette Tips for Visitors

Visiting Varanasi during Chhath Puja is a deeply rewarding cultural immersion, provided you plan thoughtfully and respect local traditions:

1. Observe Strict Ritual Purity (Pavitrata): Chhath is governed by uncompromising sacredness. Never step over Daura baskets, Soop trays, or puja cloths placed on the ghat steps. Always remove your footwear before entering prayer areas, and avoid wearing leather belts, wallets, or shoes near the water’s edge.
2. Dress for Crisp Autumn-Winter Weather: Mid-November mornings by the Ganga carry a distinct chill, especially before sunrise at 5:30 AM. Pack warm woollen shawls, sweaters, jackets, and comfortable slip-on footwear that can be easily removed at the ghats.
3. Navigate Traffic Diversions Smartly: During major festival days, the Varanasi administration enforces strict pedestrian-only zones and traffic diversions around Godowlia, Maidagin, and the main ghat approaches. Stay at well-connected properties near Varanasi Cantt or accessible ghat corridors, and rely on experienced local drivers who know alternate routes.
4. Photography with Sensitivity: While the visual beauty of Chhath is breathtaking, always ask permission before photographing devotees up close during their sacred fast and prayers.

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Seamless Kashi Pilgrimages with The Second Online Travel

Founded in Varanasi on April 13, 2018, and backed by over three decades of dedicated hospitality expertise, The Second Online Travel ("It is 2nd to none, Travel Your Way") treats your pilgrimage trust as a sacred responsibility. As the cherished Indian adage states, "अतिथि देवो भव" ("The Guest is Equivalent to God"), and navigating a bustling spiritual capital during a major festival requires local insight, punctuality, and 24/7 care—values at the core of everything we do.

Whether you are a domestic pilgrim or an overseas NRI traveler returning to Kashi for Chhath Puja, our team provides end-to-end, customized travel solutions:

• Private Ghat Boat Bookings: Reserved sunrise and sunset boats with experienced boatmen for peaceful Arghya viewing and photography.
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• IRCTC Authorized Rail & Flight Ticketing: Seamless arrival and departure planning through our authorized ticketing desk.
• Extended Spiritual Circuits: Custom multi-day itineraries connecting Kashi Vishwanath Darshan and Sarnath with Ayodhya (Shri Ram Janmabhoomi), Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), and Bodhgaya.

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Ready to Experience Chhath Puja in Kashi? Plan Your Journey Today!

Do not leave your sacred Kashi pilgrimage to last-minute crowds and logistics. Whether you need a private sunrise or sunset boat on the Ganges, a punctual AC cab from Varanasi Cantt or Babatpur Airport, verified hotel rooms near the ghats, or a custom spiritual tour package covering Kashi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Bodhgaya, our 24/7 Varanasi travel specialists are here to assist you every step of the way.

Connect with us right now to customize your itinerary:
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Conclusion

Chhath Puja is far more than an annual festival; it is a timeless reminder of humanity’s sacred bond with nature, gratitude, and self-discipline. By bowing in reverence to both the setting and the rising sun along the eternal ghats of Varanasi, devotees embody a profound spiritual truth—that every ending carries the promise of renewal, and that purity of heart illuminates the path ahead. Whether you witness the glowing lamps along the Ganga in Kashi or join millions of devotees celebrating across India and overseas, the blessings of Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya leave an indelible imprint on the soul.

May Lord Surya illuminate your path with clarity, health, and vitality, and may Chhathi Maiya bless your household with enduring peace and prosperity.

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About the Author

The Second Online Travel is led by its Chairman & Managing Director in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, bringing over 30 years of seasoned hospitality expertise backed by a 3-year Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering & Applied Nutrition (1995). Founded on April 13, 2018, alongside Sole Proprietor Ms. Nimita Kumari, the agency was born out of deep devotional faith in India’s spiritual capital—anchored in the belief that the Divine is eternally "online," guiding and protecting every traveler. Guided by our motto, "It is 2nd to none, Travel Your Way," our punctual, 24/7 team is dedicated to delivering zero-compromise, custom-tailored pilgrimages and travel experiences across Kashi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Bodhgaya, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What are the four days of Chhath Puja and their rituals?

Chhath Puja spans four sacred days during Kartik Shukla Paksha: Day 1 (Nahay Khay) involves a purifying Ganga bath and a pure sattvic meal; Day 2 (Lohanda & Kharna) features a day-long waterless fast broken at sunset with jaggery kheer and roti, starting a 36-hour nirjala fast; Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya) is the evening offering to the setting sun at the ghats; and Day 4 (Usha Arghya & Parana) concludes with dawn offerings to the rising sun and breaking the fast.

2. Why do devotees worship both the setting and rising sun during Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is unique because it honors both the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya). Philosophically, it teaches gratitude for the complete cycle of life and reminds humanity that every sunset is essential for the next sunrise. Scientifically, standing in river water during dawn and dusk allows safe absorption of beneficial solar rays.

3. Which are the best ghats in Varanasi to experience Chhath Puja?

The top ghats in Varanasi for Chhath Puja include Assi Ghat (spacious steps with morning classical music), Dashashwamedh Ghat (the vibrant spiritual hub near the evening Ganga Aarti), Namo Ghat (modern, wide promenades ideal for seniors and families), and Tulsi Ghat & Kedar Ghat (traditional local Banarasi heritage settings).

4. Can visitors book a private boat on the Ganga to watch Chhath Puja in Varanasi?

Yes, booking a private motorized or hand-rowed wooden boat on the Ganges during Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya is the most peaceful way to witness the festival. It gives you an unobstructed, panoramic view of thousands of oil lamps (diyas) and devotees along the crescent ghats away from shore crowds. You can reserve boats in advance through The Second Online Travel at https://thesecondonline.in.

5. What is the ancient history behind Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja traces its origins to ancient solar hymns in the Rigveda. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed the Chhath fast upon returning to Ayodhya. In the Mahabharata, Karna (son of Surya Dev) performed daily riverside solar prayers in Anga, and Draupadi observed the Chhath vrat to help the Pandavas regain their lost kingdom.

6. Where is Chhath Puja celebrated in India and overseas?

While its spiritual heartland is Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi and Purvanchal), Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, Chhath Puja is now celebrated across every major Indian city including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Overseas, it is widely celebrated in Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the Middle East.

7. What cultural etiquette should tourists follow at Varanasi ghats during Chhath Puja?

Visitors must respect strict ritual purity (Pavitrata): never step over bamboo baskets (Daura) or offerings placed on the steps, remove footwear near prayer areas, avoid wearing leather accessories near the water, dress warmly for chilly early mornings, and ask permission before photographing devotees up close.

Have more questions? Visit our official FAQ Page.