Chhath Puja 2024: Usha Arghya Sunrise Time – City-wise Parana Timings For Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Ranchi, & More – News18

Last Updated:November 07, 2024, 17:00 IST

Chhath Puja 2024: On the third day, devotees offer ‘Arghya’ to the setting sun. This is the only occasion in a year, as per Hindu rituals, where the setting sun is worshipped.

Chhath Puja is a revered celebration dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God, and his sister Chhathi Maiya, who is also known as Shahsthi Devi. The Chhath Puja festivities include several rituals, performed over 4 days. The celebrations started on November 5, and will end on November 8.

During this period the devotees, especially the married women, keep fast for the well-being of their children and families. The festival is the most important religious occasion in Bihar. Chhath Puja is also widely celebrated in Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, apart from Bihar. Outside India, Chhath Puja is also celebrated in parts of Nepal.

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The ‘Usha Arghya’ rituals will be performed early in the morning on Friday. Here are the sunrise and sunset timings for Usha Arghya, Parana Day in various cities across India:

Sunrise Timings For Usha Arghya & Paran

• Delhi: Sunrise: 06:38 AM
• Patna, Bihar: Sunrise: 06:02 AM
• Ranchi, Jharkhand: Sunrise: 05:58 AM
• Kolkata, West Bengal: Sunrise: 05:45 AM
• Bengaluru, Karnataka: Sunrise: 06:16 AM
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Sunrise: 06:49 AM
• Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Sunrise: 06:05 AM
• Mumbai, Maharashtra: Sunrise: 06:42 AM
• Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Sunrise: 06:21 AM

Chathh Puja Significance

Chathh Puja holds immense importance for people of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh due to its religious and social significance. The festival marks the celebration of life and fertility.

Lord Surya is known as the source of life on earth while Chhathi Maiya is known as the goddess of fertility, life and custodian of children, as per Hindu mythology.

So, the married women keep strict fast and seek blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya on this occasion for their children and family members.

Chhathi Maiya, is known as the Manas-Putri or mind-born daughter of Lord Brahma. She is also known as Sashthi Devi and believed to be the Goddess Katyayani, one incarnation of Goddess Durga among ‘Navdurgas’.

Chathh Puja Mythology

The Chhath Puja festivities hold importance in Mithilanchal region due to its links with Maa Sita. It’s believed that Maa Sita performed Chhath Puja for the first time on the banks of River Ganga near the Ashram of Rishi Mudgala while returning from Vanvasa, or 14 years of exile, as per Ramayana.

The epic Mahabharat also mentions that Draupadi also performed the rituals of Chhath Puja to please Surya Dev seeking blessings for Pandavas to regain their kingdom.

Chathh Puja Celebrations

The festivities begin with Nahay Khay, the first day of Chhath Puja. The day begins with devotees taking a holy dip in the river or nearby water body and then preparing Prasad to offer to Lord Surya. This is the only meal the devotees take before beginning the 36-hour long fasting.

This is followed by Kharna on the second day. A day-long fast from sunrise until sunset is observed. Those who keep fast, especially the married women, don’t even take water. The third day of Chhath Puja is considered as the most important.

This is the main Chhath Puja day, which is observed on Shashthi Tithi. Devotees offer ‘Arghya’ to the setting sun. This is known as ‘Sandhya Arghya’. This is the only occasion in a year, as per Hindu rituals, where the setting sun is worshipped.

The devotees observe the fast and end it with the ‘Usha Arghya’ rituals the next morning. This ritual involves paying obeisance to the rising sun. After offering ‘Usha Arghya’ the devotees break the fast by taking prepared Prasad. This day is also known as Parana Din. The Chhath Puja festivities conclude after offering the morning Arghya.