Chhath Puja, being celebrated from Saturday, October 25th to Tuesday, October 28th, 2025, is a festival rooted in devotion and discipline. At its heart are women, who carry forward its spiritual essence. They connect mythological traditions, like the puja first performed by Sita Ji, to contemporary faith through their central role in the sacred rituals.
The Role of Women in Chhath Puja
Women are central to Chhath Puja, undertaking rigorous fasting and performing elaborate rituals known as vratas over the festival’s four days. Their devotion is visible in every step—from the meticulous preparation of offerings, including rice pudding, fruits, and rotis (prasad), to the early morning prayers and sunset rituals performed at riverbanks and ghats. Beyond the physical acts of worship, women embody the spiritual well-being of the family, symbolizing guardianship, peace, and prosperity within the household.
This unwavering commitment is not limited to the present. By actively engaging in rituals, women ensure that the traditions and values of Chhath Puja are passed on to future generations, preserving its cultural significance and spiritual depth. They exemplify resilience, discipline, and a profound connection to the divine, reinforcing their pivotal role in maintaining the festival's sacred ethos.
The Four-Day Vrata: A Woman's Journey of Devotion
The spiritual strength of women in Chhath is best understood through the four-day fast they undertake. This is not just abstaining from food but a complete purification of body and mind.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (Bathe and Eat): The woman leading the vrata (the vratin) takes a holy dip and eats a single, pure meal of kaddu-bhaat (pumpkin curry and rice). This marks the beginning of her disciplined journey.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya: The peak of her devotion. The vratin stands waist-deep in a river or pond, offering prayers (arghya) to the setting sun. She holds the offerings while the family supports her.
Day 4: Usha Arghya: Before sunrise, she returns to the water to offer prayers to the rising sun, breaking her long fast only after the final rituals are complete.
Day 2: Kharna: The vratin observes a full-day fast, breaking it only after sunset with a sacred offering of kheer and roti. After this meal, her 36-hour nirjala (without water) fast begins.
Symbolism of Women’s Participation
The essence of Chhath Puja lies in honoring Chhathi Maiya, the goddess of nurturing and protection. Women, by performing the rituals, mirror this divine nurturing power, acting as a bridge between the spiritual and material worlds. Their participation emphasizes devotion, strength, and the power of sustaining family and community well-being.
Through their rituals, women not only demonstrate independence and spiritual agency but also pass down practical knowledge and sacred traditions. From preparing offerings to conducting prayers and ceremonies, their active involvement underscores the indispensable role they play in sustaining cultural and religious life. Chhath Puja is thus not a passive observance but a living festival shaped by the devotion and agency of women.
Cultural Continuity and Adaptation
Chhath Puja is a festival that has evolved alongside society. Women have been instrumental in adapting age-old rituals to contemporary life without diluting the festival’s core values. Modern practices, such as using digital platforms to share rituals or celebrating Chhath in urban spaces, ensure that the festival remains accessible, inclusive, and relevant to younger generations. This seamless blending of tradition and modernity highlights women’s critical role in keeping Chhath Puja alive and vibrant.
Mythological Origins and Sita Ji’s Role
The festival’s origins are steeped in mythological narratives from the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga. According to legend, Sita Ji, the consort of Lord Rama, performed Chhath Puja after their return from exile as an expression of gratitude to the Sun God. This act of devotion set a divine precedent, establishing the festival’s sacred and spiritual framework for generations to follow.
Other legends reinforce the festival’s spiritual significance. Karna, the son of Surya, is said to have offered daily Arghya to the Sun, while Draupadi observed Chhath during the Pandavas’ exile, symbolizing faith, resilience, and harmony with nature.
Specifically, Sita Ji’s connection to Chhath Puja highlights several key aspects:
Return from Exile: Following Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya, he and Sita Ji performed Chhath Puja to seek blessings for their kingdom.
Atonement for Sins: Advised by Sage Mudgal, Sita and Rama worshiped Surya and Chhathi Maiya to purify themselves after the killing of the Brahmin demon-king Ravana.
Munger’s Sita Charan Mandir: In Munger, Bihar, a temple preserves footprints believed to be Sita’s, marking the site where she performed the first Chhath Puja in the middle of the Ganges.
These stories not only deepen the festival’s spiritual resonance but also reinforce women’s sacred role as nurturers and bearers of devotion.
Chhath Puja is a festival where devotion, family, and community intersect, and women stand at its very heart. Through fasting, prayer, and meticulous observance of rituals, they sustain the spiritual and cultural fabric of the festival. Their connection to mythological figures like Sita Ji emphasizes a lineage of devotion, resilience, and spiritual strength that continues to inspire generations. In celebrating Chhath Puja, women not only honor the Sun God but also embody the timeless values of faith, nurturing, and cultural continuity.