Why Do Mothers Celebrate Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred and heartfelt festivals in India, especially celebrated with great devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. It is a festival that beautifully combines faith, purity, and gratitude towards nature. Chhath Puja 2025 will be no exception — families across the country will come together to honor the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his sister, Chhathi Maiya, for health, prosperity, and happiness.
Many people often ask, “Chhath Puja kyu manaya jaata hai?” The answer lies in the belief that the Sun is the ultimate source of life and energy. This festival is not just about rituals; it’s a heartfelt prayer to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Mothers, in particular, observe this festival with great devotion to seek blessings for their children’s long life, good health, and success.
If you’ve ever received warm Chhath Puja wishes or Chhath Puja wishes in Hindi from your loved ones, you’ll know this festival carries deep emotional and cultural roots that bind families together with love and faith.
The Meaning and Significance of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is dedicated to the worship of Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to be the goddess of energy, purity, and protection. The word “Chhath” means “sixth,” representing the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar. This day usually falls between October and November.
Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja does not involve idol worship. Instead, devotees offer Arghya (water offering) to the rising and setting sun while standing in rivers or ponds. It’s a simple yet deeply spiritual act — thanking nature for light, warmth, and sustenance.
For mothers, this ritual goes beyond tradition. It becomes a sacred promise: a prayer for the well-being of their children, family, and future generations.
Why Do Mothers Celebrate Chhath Puja
Mothers play the central role in Chhath Puja. Their faith and sacrifice form the foundation of this beautiful celebration. But why exactly do mothers celebrate Chhath Puja with such intensity and love?
- For Their Children’s Well-Being
The core reason mothers celebrate Chhath Puja is to pray for the good health, long life, and prosperity of their children. It is believed that when a mother observes Chhath with pure devotion and strict fasting, Chhathi Maiya blesses her family with protection and happiness. - To Express Gratitude to Nature
Chhath Puja is one of the few festivals that directly connect humans with nature. Mothers observe fasts, offer fruits, sugarcane, and thekua (a traditional sweet) to the setting and rising sun as a way of saying thank you for the life-giving energy. - To Continue Ancestral Traditions
For many mothers, Chhath Puja is not just a ritual; it’s a part of their family heritage. The tradition is passed from generation to generation, and mothers take immense pride in teaching their daughters and daughters-in-law how to perform it with purity and faith. - To Find Strength and Peace
Fasting during Chhath Puja is one of the toughest in the Hindu tradition: no water or food for over 36 hours. Yet, mothers complete it with calmness and joy, finding inner peace and spiritual strength through their devotion.
The Story Behind Chhath Puja
Every festival has a story, and Chhath Puja has several legends linked to it, all reflecting deep respect for the Sun and divine motherhood.
1. The Story of Draupadi from the Mahabharata
It is said that Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, once observed Chhath Puja to seek Surya Dev’s blessings. Her unwavering devotion helped the Pandavas regain their lost kingdom. Since then, the festival has symbolized faith, resilience, and the divine power of women.
2. The King Priyavrat Legend
According to another story, King Priyavrat and Queen Malini longed for a child. After performing Chhath Puja with great devotion to Chhathi Maiya, they were blessed with a baby boy. This is why mothers still pray during this festival for the well-being and longevity of their children.
3. The Scientific Connection
Beyond mythology, there’s also a scientific aspect to Chhath Puja. The rituals performed during sunrise and sunset help the body absorb positive solar energy, detoxify the system, and promote mental calmness. The festival, therefore, combines both spiritual and health benefits.
The Four-Day Rituals of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is celebrated over four days, each with a specific meaning and ritual. Every step symbolizes purification, discipline, and devotion.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Bath and Eat)
On the first day, devotees take a holy bath in a river and bring the water home to prepare prasad. The meal is simple and pure: often rice, dal, and pumpkin cooked without onion or garlic. It marks the beginning of spiritual cleansing.
Day 2: Kharna (Fasting Day)
On this day, devotees observe a day-long fast, which is broken after sunset with kheer (sweet rice pudding) and chapati. After that, they begin the main fast, where they refrain from even drinking water for the next 36 hours.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)
This is one of the most beautiful parts of Chhath Puja. Devotees gather at the riverbank with baskets full of fruits, sugarcane, and thekua. As the sun sets, mothers offer Arghya while singing traditional songs. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, gratitude, and love.
Day 4: Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)
On the final day, devotees offer water and prasad to the rising sun. This marks the end of the fast. After the rituals, the family members take blessings from the mothers and share the prasad with everyone. It’s a moment of joy, relief, and fulfillment.
Chhath Puja 2025 – Dates and Celebration
In 2025, Chhath Puja will begin with Nahay Khay on Wednesday, October 22, and conclude with Usha Arghya on Saturday, October 25. Temples, ghats, and riversides across India will be beautifully decorated with diyas and flowers. The sight of thousands of women standing in water, holding bamboo baskets, and singing hymns in devotion to the Sun God creates a divine aura.
Many families also share heartfelt Chhath Puja wishes on this day. Common Chhath Puja wishes in Hindi include:
- "छठी मइया सबके घर सुख-शांति और समृद्धि लाएं।"
- "सूर्य भगवान की कृपा से आपका जीवन खुशियों से भर जाए।"
These wishes capture the emotional essence of the festival- faith, family, and gratitude.
The Role of Women and Mothers in Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is known for the unmatched dedication of women. Mothers wake up before sunrise, prepare prasad, decorate the soop (bamboo baskets), and maintain a pure and calm environment throughout. Their devotion is not driven by fear or obligation but by love and belief.
The festival teaches patience, strength, and purity, values that mothers live by. Their calm presence and disciplined fasting inspire everyone around them. In many families, daughters join their mothers in performing rituals, helping to keep the tradition alive and strong.
Eco-Friendly and Spiritual Lessons from Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja also holds an important environmental message. The rituals are performed in natural water bodies, using only biodegradable items like bamboo, banana leaves, and earthen lamps. No artificial idols, no loud music, just peace and purity.
It reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with nature. The festival encourages sustainability, simplicity, and respect for the environment, values that are more relevant today than ever before.
Chhath Puja – A Festival of Faith, Family, and Gratitude
At its heart, Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival; it’s a celebration of life itself. It strengthens family bonds and connects people with nature and faith. The sight of mothers fasting for 36 hours without food or water, yet radiating peace and devotion, is truly inspiring.
Whether you’re from Bihar or living anywhere across the world, Chhath Puja 2025 reminds us of the timeless values of gratitude, purity, and perseverance.
So, the next time someone asks you, “Chhath Puja kyu manaya jaata hai?” you can tell them-
It’s celebrated to thank the Sun for life, to honor Chhathi Maiya for her blessings, and to celebrate the selfless love of mothers who pray for the happiness and health of their families.
Chhath Puja is a festival that perfectly blends devotion, discipline, and deep respect for nature. For mothers, it is a sacred duty filled with love and faith. It teaches us patience, gratitude, and the power of prayer.
As Chhath Puja 2025 approaches, may every home be filled with peace, light, and happiness. Let’s celebrate this divine festival by expressing gratitude to nature and spreading love through heartfelt Chhath Puja wishes and blessings.
Happy Chhath Puja 2025!
May Chhathi Maiya bless every family with health, joy, and endless prosperity.
