PM Modi Invites People to Share Chhath Puja Songs Ahead of Festive Celebrations

New Delhi: As the auspicious festival of Chhath Puja begins this Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged people to share devotional songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God. He said he would be reposting some of them in the coming days.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “Chhath, the grand festival honouring nature and culture, is approaching. Across Bihar and many parts of the country, devotees are already immersed in preparations. Songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya enhance the sanctity of this divine occasion. I invite you all to share such songs with me — I will share them with everyone over the next few days.”

The four-day festival, celebrated from October 26 to 29, is dedicated to worshipping the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his sister Chhathi Maiya, seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and happiness.

Deeply rooted in the traditions of Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh — and also observed in Nepal and by Indian communities abroad — Chhath Puja stands as one of the oldest known sun-worship rituals, believed to date back to the eras of Satyuga and Dwapar Yuga.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja

1. Nahai Khai: The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip and preparing the first offering with complete purity and devotion.

2. Kharna: Observers fast from sunrise to sunset, breaking it only after sunset with prasad made of jaggery, rice, and wheat.

3. Sandhya Arghya: In the evening, devotees gather near rivers or ponds to offer arghya (prayers) to the setting Sun.

4. Usha Arghya: On the final morning, prayers are offered to the rising Sun, marking renewal, peace, and positivity.

The festival is celebrated with simplicity and deep faith, highlighting purity, gratitude, and balance with nature. Through fasting, offerings, and prayer, devotees express their reverence for the Sun — the source of life and energy — while fostering harmony between humanity and nature.