Devotees set for sandhya arghya on Chhath day 3

Devotees across the country immerse themselves in deep religious fervour as Chhath Puja reaches its most significant stage today. Worshippers prepare to offer Sandhya Arghya, the first sacred offering, to the setting Sun on Sunday evening.

Observants undertake a rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast, abstaining entirely from food and water while dedicating themselves to Lord Surya. This demanding spiritual discipline highlights the profound faith and endurance defining the grand four-day folk festival.

Earlier on Saturday, devotees performed traditional Kharna rituals with strict purity. Families prepared sacred prasad—including rasiya, kheer, and puris—using clay stoves fuelled by mango wood, preserving age-old customs associated with the auspicious occasion.

Following a full day of religious discipline, fasting devotees consumed the Kharna prasad on Saturday evening. This traditional meal officially initiated their challenging 36-hour waterless fast, marking a pivotal transition in the festival’s spiritual observance.

Across numerous households, families organised special Kharna prayers inside separate, secluded rooms. This quiet, focused worship honours the strict religious traditions and sacred sanctity surrounding Chhath Puja celebrations.

Meanwhile, many vow-taking devotees express their deep devotion to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God by performing full-body prostrations. They cover the entire distance from their homes to the riverbanks through this arduous, faith-driven practice.

According to official schedules, the Sun sets at 4:54 p.m. on Sunday. At that exact moment, throngs of devotees will gather at riverbanks and designated water bodies to offer the first arghya.

The four-day festival concludes on Monday morning when the Sun rises at 5:59 a.m. Devotees will offer the final arghya to the rising Sun, completing their rigorous fast and bringing the celebrations to a close.