Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest festivals in India, primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP. It is dedicated to Surya (the Sun) and Chhathi Maiya (the sixth mother). Devotees, particularly women, fast for 36 hours without water and then stand waist-deep in a river or lake to offer arghya (water offerings) to the setting and rising sun. This unique practice — offering prayers both to the setting sun (twilight) and the rising sun — is rare in world traditions. It has no temple, no priest, no caste restriction.
Step outside at either sunrise or sunset today and stand facing the sun for one minute — not on your phone, just looking. Feel what it means to acknowledge the source of all life.
Celebrated at both sunset and sunrise over four days.