Why Is the Setting Sun Worshipped Before the Rising Sun During Chhath Puja? Know the Significance

Chhath Puja is known for its devotion to the Sun God, Surya, but one of its most distinctive traditions raises an interesting question: Why do devotees worship the setting Sun first instead of beginning with the rising Sun?

Unlike the usual practice of offering prayers to the Sun at dawn, Chhath devotees gather at riverbanks and water bodies during sunset on the third day of the festival. They offer Arghya to the departing Sun and return before dawn the following morning to worship it again.

This is not an accidental sequence. The evening and morning offerings together reflect a deeper idea behind Chhath Puja: gratitude is not reserved only for new beginnings or moments of strength. Even the setting Sun, which marks the end of the day, is worthy of worship.


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Why Is the Setting Sun Worshipped Before the Rising Sun During Chhath?

The setting Sun is worshipped first because Chhath Puja honours the Sun's complete cycle, rather than focusing only on its appearance at dawn.

In everyday life, sunrise is associated with fresh beginnings, energy and hope. Sunset, on the other hand, signals the end of a day. Chhath Puja gives equal importance to both moments, acknowledging the Sun for the light, warmth and energy it has provided throughout the day before welcoming its return the next morning.

The evening ritual is known as Sandhya Arghya. Devotees stand in water, usually at a riverbank, pond or other designated water body, and offer water and traditional offerings to the setting Sun.

The following morning, they perform Usha Arghya, offering prayers to the rising Sun. Together, these rituals express gratitude for the Sun's continuous role in sustaining life.

This interpretation also reflects the festival's close connection with nature and agricultural life, where sunlight is essential for crops, food and livelihoods.

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What Does Offering Arghya to the Setting Sun Symbolise?

Offering Arghya to the setting Sun is a way of expressing gratitude for the day that has passed.

The Sun provides light and warmth throughout the day, supporting human life, plants, animals and agricultural activity. The evening offering acknowledges this contribution instead of waiting for the next sunrise to seek blessings.

There is also a meaningful cultural interpretation behind this practice. Chhath reminds devotees that respect should not depend on whether something is at its peak or beginning a new journey. Even as the Sun approaches the horizon and its visible light fades, it remains worthy of devotion.

This makes the sunset offering particularly distinctive. It places the same importance on acknowledging what has already been received as on praying for what lies ahead.

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Why Do Devotees Worship the Rising Sun the Next Morning?

After offering Arghya to the setting Sun, devotees return to the riverbanks before sunrise for the final major ritual of Chhath Puja.

This offering, called Usha Arghya, is performed to the rising Sun on the fourth day. It represents renewed energy, hope, prosperity and the beginning of another day.

The morning ritual also marks the conclusion of the devotees' rigorous fast, which traditionally continues through the night after Sandhya Arghya. Once Usha Arghya is completed, devotees perform Parana, bringing their fast to an end.

The two offerings therefore have complementary meanings. The evening Arghya acknowledges the Sun's contribution to the day that has ended, while the morning Arghya welcomes its return and seeks blessings for the days ahead.

Is Chhath Puja the Only Festival Where the Setting Sun Is Worshipped?

One of the most distinctive features of Chhath Puja is that it gives formal ritual importance to both the setting and rising Sun.

Sun worship is found in several Hindu traditions and festivals, but Chhath stands out for making Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya central parts of the same observance.

According to the Bihar Tourism Department, Chhath Puja is a unique occasion in which devotees worship the setting Sun alongside the rising Sun.

The practice also reflects the festival's direct relationship with nature. Devotees offer prayers in open spaces, often standing in rivers or ponds, without requiring an elaborate temple setting or priest to perform the central offering.

The Deeper Message Behind Chhath Puja's Sunset-First Tradition

The order of worship in Chhath Puja carries a simple but powerful message: every phase of life deserves gratitude and respect.

By worshipping the setting Sun before the rising Sun, devotees acknowledge that the end of one day is just as meaningful as the beginning of another. The tradition connects gratitude for the past with hope for the future.

That is what makes Chhath Puja's sunset ritual so significant. It does not wait for the Sun to rise again before expressing devotion. Instead, it begins by thanking the Sun for everything it has already given.