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By Pt. Praveen Kumar · 18 March 2024
Chhath Puja auspicious timings and their astrological significance in Bihar are deeply rooted in Vedic solar observation — making this the festival with the most direct astronomical basis in the Bihar calendar. Unlike many festivals determined by lunar phases alone, Chhath specifically centres on the Sun (Surya) at two precise moments of the day: sunset (Sandhya Arghya) and sunrise (Usha Arghya). From an astrological perspective, these are moments of maximum solar transition energy — when the Sun crosses the horizon and the sky carries both solar and stellar energy simultaneously.
For the millions of families in Bihar who observe Chhath — from the ghats of Patna along the Ganga, to the riverbanks of Darbhanga, the ponds of Muzaffarpur, and Chhath ghats in Bhagalpur, Gaya, and every village in between — understanding the astrological basis of the festival adds a deeper dimension to the devotion.
In Vedic astrology, Surya is the soul (atmakaraka) — the planet that represents self, authority, health, vitality, and one's relationship with the father. A strong Sun in the birth chart gives confidence, leadership ability, good health, and the capacity to hold positions of authority. A weak or afflicted Sun manifests as low self-esteem, government-related difficulties, poor paternal relationships, or recurring health issues in the heart, eyes, or bones.
The Sun's exaltation sign is Aries (Mesha), and it is in its own sign in Leo (Simha). The Sun rules the constellation of Uttara Phalguni, which is associated with generosity and authority. Kartik month, during which Chhath falls, marks the Sun's transit through Libra (Tula) — the sign of its debilitation. This is significant: the festival of Surya worship occurs precisely when the Sun is at its annual weakest point in the zodiac.
This is not coincidental. Chhath Puja is, at one level, a collective act of strengthening the debilitated Sun — offering it arghya (water, a solar carrier) and prayers at the precise moments of sunrise and sunset to restore and honour solar energy both cosmically and personally.
Chhath Puja spans four days of Kartik month, beginning on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi (4th day of the bright fortnight of Kartik).
Day 1 — Nahai Khai (Nahay Khay) Falling on Chaturthi (4th lunar day), devotees take a ritual bath in the river or a sacred water body — in Patna it is the Ganga, in Darbhanga the Kamla river, in Muzaffarpur the Burhi Gandak. The bath is taken ideally at Brahma Muhurta (approximately 90 minutes before sunrise), the most auspicious time of day in Vedic tradition. The devotee then cooks a simple meal of lauki (bottle gourd) and rice, eating only once. This is a cleansing day — symbolically and astrologically, it corresponds to purifying the body-vessel before it receives solar energy.
Day 2 — Kharna (Lohanda) On Panchami (5th lunar day), the main fast begins at sunrise and is broken after sunset with kheer (rice cooked in milk and jaggery) and roti, offered to Surya at dusk. The timing of Kharna prasad is determined by the sunset time — offerings are made precisely at the moment the sun touches the horizon. Astrologically, sunset on this day marks the Sun's entry into the 7th house of the day chart (the house of the west, representing completion), and the offering is a symbolic negotiation with the debilitated Sun.
Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya (Evening Arghya) On Shashthi (6th lunar day), the most iconic ritual of Chhath occurs at sunset. Devotees stand waist-deep in water and offer arghya (water cupped in hands raised toward the setting sun) as the sun sinks below the horizon. This is one of the only major Hindu rituals that specifically venerates the setting sun — the sun in its descending phase, which in Vedic symbolism represents acceptance of impermanence and the honouring of endings.
The precise time of Sandhya Arghya varies by location — in Patna it differs by a few minutes from Gaya, and further from Bhagalpur. The official sunset time published by the Patna Meteorological Department is used as the reference for the Bihar capital, and local times are adjusted accordingly. A qualified astrologer can provide exact Arghya timing for any district in Bihar.
Day 4 — Usha Arghya (Morning Arghya) On Saptami (7th lunar day), before sunrise, devotees return to the water and offer the rising sun arghya at the moment of sunrise. This is the moment the puja reaches its peak. The Sun in its ascendant phase — moving upward above the horizon — represents renewal, strength, and the beginning of a new cycle. Astrologically, this sunrise arghya is believed to directly strengthen the Surya placement in the devotee's birth chart.
The fast is broken after the Usha Arghya with prasad that includes thekua (a traditional Bihar sweet made with wheat, jaggery, and ghee) and seasonal fruits.
Kartik (October-November) is considered one of the most spiritually potent months in the Vedic calendar. The Sun in Libra (Tula) is in debilitation — meaning this is the month when solar energy, both cosmic and individual, requires conscious support through ritual, prayer, and righteous action. Other significant events of Kartik include Diwali (Amavasya of Kartik), Tulsi Vivah (marking the end of the Chaturmas period of religious austerity), and Kartik Purnima.
Observing Chhath Puja during this specific solar transit is, from a Jyotish perspective, a prescription for collective and individual solar strengthening at the moment it is most needed.
Beyond the collective Chhath Puja observance, individuals with a weak or afflicted Sun in their birth chart are advised to take ongoing remedies:
For a detailed analysis of your Surya placement and personalised Chhath Puja timing for your district, consult our Astrologer in Patna before the festival season.
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