Chhath Puja Katha 2026: Why Is the Festival Celebrated? Know the Story of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya

Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed from November 13 to November 16, with devotees across Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India preparing for the four-day festival. Dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, the festival is associated with prayers for health, prosperity, family well-being and gratitude for the life-giving energy of the Sun.

Chhath Puja is not limited to fasting and offerings. Its traditional stories explain the importance of worshipping the Sun, seeking the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and maintaining discipline and purity during the observance. The festival is also distinctive because devotees offer Arghya to both the setting and rising Sun.

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Chhath Puja Katha: The Story of King Priyavrat and Chhathi Maiya

One of the popular traditional stories associated with Chhath Puja concerns King Priyavrat and Queen Malini, who were unable to have a child despite their prayers and efforts.

According to the traditional account, Maharishi Kashyap performed a yajna for the royal couple and gave Queen Malini the sacred offering to consume. She subsequently gave birth to a child, but the baby was stillborn. The king and queen were overcome with grief.

As the king mourned his child, Goddess Shashthi, also known as Chhathi Maiya, appeared before him. She introduced herself as a divine form associated with the sixth part of primordial nature and explained the importance of worshipping her.

The goddess is believed to have blessed the royal family and restored the child to life. King Priyavrat then worshipped Goddess Shashthi and encouraged others to observe her vrat.

This story is traditionally associated with the belief that Chhathi Maiya protects children and blesses families with well-being and prosperity. It is one of the devotional narratives through which devotees understand the significance of Chhath Puja.

Why Is Surya Dev Worshipped During Chhath Puja?

Surya Dev is worshipped during Chhath because the Sun is regarded as the source of light, energy and life on Earth. The festival expresses gratitude for the natural forces that sustain living beings and support agriculture, food production and everyday life.

Devotees offer water, fruits and traditional prasad to the Sun while standing near rivers, ponds and other water bodies. These offerings are made during two important stages of the festival: sunset on the third day and sunrise on the fourth day.

The evening offering, known as Sandhya Arghya, is made to the setting Sun. The following morning, devotees perform Usha Arghya to the rising Sun.

Worshipping the setting Sun before the rising Sun is one of the distinctive features of Chhath. It represents gratitude for the Sun's continuous contribution to life, while also acknowledging the natural cycle of sunset and sunrise.

Also Read: Why Chhath Puja Has No Idols or Priests: The Sun-Worship Ritual That's Different From Every Other Festival

What Is the Story of Karna Associated With Chhath Puja?

Another popular traditional association connects Chhath Puja with Karna, the son of Surya Dev in the Mahabharata.

According to the Mahabharata tradition, Karna was the son of Surya Dev and Kunti. He was known for his generosity, courage and devotion. Popular accounts associated with Chhath describe him as a regular worshipper of the Sun who offered Arghya while standing in water.

His devotion to Surya Dev is often cited as one of the traditional explanations for the festival's emphasis on Sun worship.

However, the story of Karna's daily Sun worship and the modern four-day Chhath observance should not be treated as exactly the same historical ritual. It is a devotional association that has become part of the festival's popular religious narratives.

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What Is the Significance of Chhathi Maiya in Chhath Puja?

Chhathi Maiya is worshipped as Goddess Shashthi, a divine mother associated with the protection and well-being of children and families.

Devotees seek her blessings for the health of family members, the happiness of children and prosperity in their homes. Her worship is particularly significant for families observing Chhath vrat.

While Surya Dev represents the life-giving energy of the Sun, Chhathi Maiya is revered as a protective maternal deity. Together, their worship forms the central religious focus of the festival.

Also Read: Who Is Chhathi Maiya? The Goddess Behind Chhath Puja and Her Surprising Connection With Surya Dev

Why Do Devotees Worship Both the Setting and Rising Sun?

Chhath Puja is distinctive because devotees offer Arghya to the setting Sun on the third day and the rising Sun on the fourth day.

The evening ritual is called Sandhya Arghya. Devotees gather at riverbanks and other water bodies with baskets of traditional offerings and pray to the setting Sun.

The next morning, they return before sunrise for Usha Arghya. This final offering marks the completion of the principal worship and is followed by Parana, when devotees break their fast according to their family tradition.

The two offerings reflect gratitude for the Sun's presence throughout the day and its role in sustaining life. The worship of the setting Sun also makes Chhath different from many other forms of Surya worship.

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Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated for Four Days?

The four-day observance follows a sequence of purification, fasting, prayer and offerings.

• Day 1 – Nahay Khay, November 13: Devotees clean their homes, take a ritual bath and prepare a simple sattvik meal, traditionally including rice, chana dal and pumpkin.
• Day 2 – Kharna, November 14: Devotees observe a day-long fast and perform evening worship before consuming traditional prasad, commonly including jaggery-based kheer and roti.
• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya, November 15: Devotees offer Arghya to the setting Sun at rivers, ponds and other water bodies.
• Day 4 – Usha Arghya, November 16: Devotees offer Arghya to the rising Sun and conclude the fast with Parana.

The four stages reflect the discipline and devotion associated with Chhath Puja. Each day has a specific ritual purpose and prepares devotees for the next stage of worship.

Why Is Chhath Puja Considered an Important Festival in Bihar?

Chhath Puja holds particular cultural and religious importance in Bihar, where it is widely observed as a major community festival. Families living in different parts of India and abroad also return to their hometowns or celebrate the festival wherever they live.

The observance brings families and communities together at riverbanks, ponds and specially prepared ghats. Traditional folk songs, homemade prasad and collective preparations form an important part of the celebrations.

The festival also highlights the relationship between people and nature through its emphasis on Sun worship, water bodies, seasonal produce and natural offerings.

Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Chhath worship is traditionally performed without the requirement of an idol or priest. Devotees offer prayers directly to the Sun and observe the rituals with discipline and simplicity.

Also Read: Why Chhath Puja Is Considered One of the Strictest Hindu Fasts: The 36-Hour Nirjala Vrat Explained

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