Chhath Puja: Four days of devotion and festivity for Biharis across the world
The uniqueness of this festival is that it unites the whole family who travel back from across the globe just to celebrate Chhath Puja with their dear ones.
Diwali is done and dusted. While the rest of India bids adieu to the festive season, it’s the beginning of the most-anticipated festival for Bihar, Chhath Puja. This year, the festival will be observed from October 28 to 31.
The preparations for Chhath Puja begin three months before the festival. From the hustle-bustle of arranging train tickets to Bihar from the varied metros and their satellite towns to selecting outfits for each of the four Chhath days, the festival of homecoming is an emotion and more for people who are proud to be Biharis. Of them the lucky ones are those who manage to get tickets while others get by in unreserved compartments and even in reserved compartments, bearing the pejoratives and insults thrown at them, for home is where Chhath will be celebrated in Bihar. Some even break their journeys across random many mofussil locations in Uttar Pradesh for that one train ride home.
And not to forget the vibe and togetherness one witnesses on trains and flights while travelling back to Bihar. The view on the railway platforms and airports itself can give one the goosebumps.
Though the festival is associated with Biharis, it is celebrated vividly and with the same exuberance in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and some parts of Nepal.
Chhath Puja is a carnival of devotion which attracts all Biharis across the world towards it more potently than a magnet. The aroma of thekuas and gud wali kheer, Shardha Sinha’s Chhath geet, vibrantly decorated streets and ghats, the festival lasts four days. It starts with Nahay Khay and concludes with Usha Arghya. Chhath is dedicated to the Sun God and devotees worship Chhathi Maiya, Shashthi Devi, the mother goddess and the Sun’s sister.
According to Hindu mythology, Chhathi Maiya protects one’s offspring and provides longevity to them. The festival is for expressing gratitude to the Sun for bestowing the fortune of life. No Sun, no rain, no Sun, no grain, no Sun, no moon, no Sun, nothing!
Chhath Puja rituals
Nahay Khay
The first day of Chhath Puja begins with Nahay Khay and will be celebrated on October 28 this year. On this day, devotees, also called Vratis, clean their bodies and their houses and then eat a heavenly meal prepared without onion and garlic. The meal has bhaat, channe ki daal, daal kaddu ki sabzi, aloo gobhi ki sabzi, and dhaniya chutney that strikes the right chords in the heart and is gentle on the tummy and is like a warm hug for Biharis who migrated to other states for a better standard of life.
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Kharna
The second day of Chhath Puja falls on October 29 this year. Kharna involves a strict fast wherein Vratis avoid water. This day is a hectic one as it goes by preparing prasad that consists gud wali kheer (kheer of jaggery), doodh wali kheer, rotis, and rice balls. All the prasad is prepared on earthen chulhas which add their magic of aroma and taste.
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Sandhya Arghya
Chhath Puja is synonymous with thekuas and Sandhya Arghya is the day when Vratis begin preparing the delicacy, not only for themselves but also for their children to distribute it to their friends and colleagues after they return to their respective work states. The day will be celebrated on October 30. In the evening, the Vratis worship the setting Sun or the dusk. The family members of the Vrati offer milk and water to the dawn. Chhath is the only festival where devotees worship the setting Sun, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an old video.
Watch the video here:
Usha Arghya
This is the last day of the Mahaparv and will be observed on October 31. Usha Arghya begins at 3 am with Vratis reaching river banks or ghats to worship the rising Sun or the dawn. The rituals of Sandhya Argya and Usha Arghya are the same and this is the day when Vratis break their fast after 3-long days. It is also known as Prana, which refers to the end of fasting.
Prana is also like a feast with meals cooked without onion and garlic.
Chhath Puja ends after 4-long days of fasting and family gatherings. The uniqueness of this festival is that it unites the whole family who travel back from across the globe just to celebrate Chhath Puja with their dear ones.
What also remains the soul of Chhath Puja is the folk songs sung by the women of the house. This adds positivity and fun to the occasion. With the bundle full of thekuas and memories, Biharis travel back only yearning to return for Chhath Puja next year and worrying about the train tickets!
Celebrate Navratri 2025 with heartfelt wishes, messages, quotes, and WhatsApp greetings. Share the joy of the nine nights of devotion to Maa Durga, spread positivity, and bless your loved ones with happiness, strength, and prosperity this festive season.
Navratri 2025, starting on September 22, is a nine-night festival dedicated to Maa Durga, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Across India and around the world, devotees mark the occasion with prayers, fasting, music, dance, and community gatherings. The festival emphasizes devotion, courage, and inner strength, and is a time to share blessings with loved ones through heartfelt Navratri wishes.
Unlike large-scale celebrations in India, many households and communities celebrate in more intimate settings, decorating homes with diyas, offering prayers at temples, and organizing dandiya nights and devotional gatherings. Traditional foods and vrat-friendly recipes are also an integral part of the celebration.
Here’s a collection of Happy Navratri wishes you can share with friends, family, and colleagues:
Wishes to Share During Navratri:
Wishing you a Navratri filled with devotion, joy, and prosperity.
May the nine nights bring peace to your home and happiness to your heart.
Let’s celebrate the spirit of Navratri with prayers, music, and love.
May Goddess Durga bless you with strength to face every challenge.
Wishing you health, harmony, and happiness this Navratri.
May these nine nights light up your life with positivity.
Sending warm Navratri wishes from my family to yours.
May every dance step and prayer you offer reach Maa Durga’s blessings.
Here’s to a Navratri that feels bright, peaceful, and full of grace.
May this festive season give you courage and clarity.
Happy Navratri Quotes:
May your prayers during these nine nights bring success and harmony.
Celebrate the spirit of Navratri with a heart full of gratitude.
Wishing you good health, prosperity, and endless joy this Navratri.
Let the divine energy of Durga guide your path this festive season.
May Goddess Durga empower you with strength, wisdom, and courage this Navratri and always.
Let us celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Happy Navratri to you and your loved ones.
May the colors of Navratri brighten your life with happiness, health, and prosperity.
On this auspicious occasion, may Maa Durga fulfill all your wishes and bless your home with peace.
Messages to Share on WhatsApp and Social Media:
Happy Navratri! May Maa Durga guide you toward wisdom and strength.
The nine nights remind us that patience and devotion bring results.
Celebrate Navratri with faith in your heart and kindness in your actions.
May you find joy in the small rituals and blessings in every prayer.
Wishing you courage to overcome negativity, just like Durga did.
Navratri is not only about fasting — it’s about feeding your soul with positivity.
May this Navratri open doors of success and peace for you.
Sending warm wishes across the miles this festive season.
Happy Navratri 2025 Greetings:
Remember: every night of Navratri is a chance to start fresh.
Happy Navratri 2025! Celebrate with love, and let blessings surround you.
May Maa Durga fill your home with peace and happiness this Navratri.
Wishing you nine nights of devotion, joy, and togetherness.
May the blessings of Navratri bring love and light into your life.
Happy Navratri! Let every day be a step toward positivity.
May this festive season strengthen bonds with family and friends.
Navratri 2025 Quotes and Inspiration:
“Navratri is not only a festival, it’s a reminder that good always wins.”
“Nine nights, nine forms, infinite blessings.”
“Strength is not given, it is awakened — just like the spirit of Durga.”
“Dance, devotion, and discipline — the rhythm of Navratri.”
“Every prayer during Navratri is a step closer to peace.”
This Navratri, let devotion, love, and positivity fill every home. Share these Navratri wishes, quotes, and messages to spread blessings and joy with friends and family.
Janmashtami 2025 is being celebrated today, August 16, across India and among devotees worldwide. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is observed with fasting, devotional songs, dahi handi celebrations, and midnight prayers. On this auspicious occasion, here are some heartfelt wishes, WhatsApp messages, statuses, and greetings that you can share with your loved ones.
WhatsApp Messages for Janmashtami 2025
May Lord Krishna bless your home with peace, love, and happiness. Wishing you a divine and joyful Janmashtami!
On this auspicious day, let the melodies of Krishna’s flute bring serenity to your heart. Happy Janmashtami 2025!
May the blessings of Kanha always be with you and your family, guiding you towards the path of truth and dharma.
Celebrate this Janmashtami with love, laughter, and devotion. Jai Shri Krishna!
May the divine presence of Krishna fill your life with eternal joy and positivity. Happy Janmashtami!
Janmashtami Status Ideas
🌸 Jai Shri Krishna! Wishing everyone peace, love and divine blessings on this Janmashtami 2025. 🌸
🎶 “Where there is Krishna, there is love, where there is love, there is life.” Happy Janmashtami! 🎶
🌼 This Janmashtami, may Krishna’s flute play the music of happiness in your life. 🌼
🥛✨ Dahi handi, Krishna’s leela, and divine blessings—let’s celebrate Janmashtami with joy! ✨🥛
🙏 On Krishna Janmashtami, may the divine guide you to overcome challenges with courage and grace. 🙏
Short Janmashtami Quotes
“Krishna’s words are timeless wisdom; his life, an eternal inspiration.”
“Let love, compassion, and truth be your dharma this Janmashtami.”
“With devotion in your heart, every day can be Janmashtami.”
“Krishna teaches us to live with courage, love with purity, and guide with wisdom.”
“On this divine day, may Krishna’s blessings bring light to every corner of your life.”
Greeting Messages for Friends and Family
Wishing you and your family a blessed Janmashtami 2025! May the joy of Krishna’s birth fill your life with happiness.
Happy Krishna Janmashtami! May the teachings of Lord Krishna inspire you to walk the path of righteousness.
Celebrate this day with devotion, joy, and faith. Sending you warm wishes on this Janmashtami.
May your heart and home be filled with divine love and bliss of Lord Krishna. Happy Janmashtami!
On this sacred occasion, may Krishna bless you with wisdom, prosperity, and endless happiness.
Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of love, trust, and the unbreakable bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters tie a Rakhi on their brother’s wrist, praying for his happiness, prosperity, and protection, while brothers promise to protect their sisters.
If you can’t be with your brother this Raksha Bandhan, don’t worry—you can still send your love through these warm wishes and social media statuses for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Heartwarming Rakhi wishes for your brother
Rakhi is the festival of love, A sister’s affection is endless, A brother’s promise to protect forever, A bond blessed with heartfelt prayers. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
The sibling bond is a blessing, No other relationship compares in the whole world. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
Rakhi brings a silk thread, A loving brother, a group of sisters, May this bond never break, And our togetherness never fade. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
This sweet bond holds hope, The Rakhi thread carries love and trust. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
Blessed to have a brother like you, Wishing you every happiness in life. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
You are my identity, my brother, My prayers are always for you, You are my world. Happy Raksha Bandhan!
A sandalwood mark, showers of joy, Siblings’ love and togetherness, Wishing you a happy Rakhi festival.
Lucky are the sisters, Who have their brother’s protective hand, Always there in every difficulty.
Fragrance of monsoon and the joy of rain, Brother’s hope and sister’s love, Wishing you a happy Raksha Bandhan.
If rain or distance keeps you from tying Rakhi in person this year, you can do it during the Abhijit Muhurat or Pradosh Kaal for an auspicious moment. Social media posts and heartfelt statuses can still make the day special, no matter the miles apart.
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