Chhath Festival Concludes with Offering Argha to the Rising Sun

The Chhath festival, dedicated to worshipping the Sun God with deep faith and devotion, concluded this morning after devotees offered Argha (holy offerings) to the rising sun.

According to religious tradition, devotees sit by riverbanks and offer milk, flowers, and water to the rising sun. This ritual, known as Bhinsar Ghat Puja, marks the completion of Chhath. The name comes from the practice of performing prayers early in the morning (Bhinsar meaning dawn). During sunrise, devotees stand waist-deep in water to offer prayers and witness the sun’s first rays.

It is believed that life on Earth depends on water and the sun. Therefore, rivers are worshipped as mothers and the sun as the ultimate source of power. According to religious scholar Prof. Toyaraj Nepal, worshipping the sun during the Kartik Shukla Paksha fulfills one’s wishes and brings desired blessings. Scriptures refer to this day as Surya Shashti—a time specifically meant for the worship of the Sun God.

On this occasion, married men and women pray for the long life and well-being of their spouses, while unmarried devotees seek good partners. Many also observe the fast to be blessed with children. Devotees believe that observing this strict fast with pure intention fulfills heartfelt desires.

The four-day Chhath festival began on Saturday, starting from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and continuing till Saptami. Devotees start with a ritual bath and a clean diet, avoiding fish, meat, garlic, millet, buckwheat, and lentils throughout the festival. It concludes on Saptami—today—after offering Argha to the rising sun.

Traditionally celebrated in the Mithila region of the Terai, Chhath began to spread to Kathmandu and other hilly areas after 1990. The Chhath Puja Committee in Guhyeshwari was officially registered in 2005, marking the start of organized celebrations in the capital.

Since then, major celebrations have been held at Thapathali, Gaurighat, and Rani Pokhari. However, Chhath at Rani Pokhari stopped after the 2015 earthquake, while Kamal Pokhari has become a new hub for grand celebrations in recent years.

This year, Chhath Ghats at Guhyeshwari, Kamal Pokhari, and Thapathali were beautifully decorated like brides. According to Anil Singh, chairperson of the Guhyeshwari Chhath Committee, devotees offered Argha to the rising sun this morning, marking the end of the festival. Many stayed awake all night at the riverbanks, singing devotional songs and preparing for the morning rituals.

Religious beliefs trace the origin of Chhath to Chhathi Mata, who is said to have initiated the festival to please the Sun God. According to the Mahabharata, Draupadi and the Pandavas performed the Sun God’s worship during their exile in Mithila’s Virata kingdom, which helped them succeed in their period of disguise.

The Surya Purana also mentions that Atri Muni’s wife, Anusuya, was the first to observe the Chhath fast. As a result, she was blessed with eternal happiness and her husband’s unwavering love—believed to be the beginning of this sacred tradition.