Chhath Puja is one of India’s oldest and most profound festivals celebrating the bond between humans and nature. Observed across the country, it honours Surya, the Sun God, as the source of life and energy. For four days, devotees fast, pray, and stand knee-deep in water, offering arghya to the setting and rising sun. Across cities and villages, rivers and seas glow with countless diyas, creating one of the most moving sights in Indian culture.
Patna Bihar – The Heartbeat of Chhath
In Patna, the spiritual centre of Chhath Puja, devotion radiates across the Ganga. The Gandhi, Patliputra, and Collectorate Ghats are illuminated with thousands of diyas and echoed with Bhojpuri folk songs. Locals prepare for weeks, decorating ghats and homes, while pilgrims gather to offer prayers as the sun rises over the river. The city’s vibrant energy and ancient rituals make it the most authentic destination for Chhath celebrations in India.
Varanasi Uttar Pradesh – The City of Eternal Light
At the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, thousands come together to celebrate Chhath. The Triveni Sangam becomes a sea of devotion as devotees stand in the water, offering fruits, sugarcane, and arghya. It is believed that prayers offered here cleanse sins and bring balance to life. The chants and songs echo across the river, creating a spiritual calm that defines the essence of faith in India.
Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh – Devotion at the Triveni Sangam
At the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, thousands come together to celebrate Chhath. The Triveni Sangam becomes a sea of devotion as devotees stand in the water, offering fruits, sugarcane, and arghya. It is believed that prayers offered here cleanse sins and bring balance to life. The chants and songs echo across the river, creating a spiritual calm that defines the essence of faith in India.
Delhi NCR – Chhath Along the Yamuna
In the national capital, Chhath Puja has grown into a grand community celebration. The Yamuna ghats at ITO, Kalindi Kunj, and Wazirabad, along with open grounds in Noida, draw massive crowds of devotees. Temporary bamboo platforms, decorative lights, and the sound of traditional songs fill the air. For thousands of migrants from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Delhi’s Yamuna becomes a bridge to their roots.
Kolkata West Bengal – Chhath by the Hooghly
Though not native to Bengal, Kolkata celebrates Chhath with unmatched warmth. The Babughat on the Hooghly River glows with lamps and flowers as Purvanchali communities gather to offer prayers. The sight of the Hooghly shimmering under rows of diyas, with the Howrah Bridge in the background, perfectly captures the spirit of devotion and inclusivity that defines Kolkata.
Jamshedpur Jharkhand – Peace by the Subarnarekha
At Domuhani Ghat, where the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers meet, Jamshedpur hosts a serene celebration of Chhath Puja. Devotees light diyas and sing hymns in Bhojpuri as they offer arghya to the sun. Away from the noise of big cities, this celebration feels intimate and pure, echoing the heart of rural India’s faith and simplicity.
Mumbai Maharashtra – The Coastal Chhath Experience
On Mumbai’s beaches, the Arabian Sea becomes the sacred river for Chhath devotees. At Dadar Chowpatty, Juhu, and Versova, thousands gather in colourful saris to perform rituals as the waves reflect the glow of the diyas. The mix of devotion, sea breeze, and sunset creates a mesmerising coastal version of Chhath Puja that reflects both faith and modernity.
The Spirit of Chhath Puja 2025
Chhath is more than a ritual—it is a celebration of gratitude, resilience, and harmony with nature. Whether on the ghats of Patna or the sands of Mumbai, every diya lit during the festival is a symbol of hope and devotion. In 2025, as millions across India lift their hands toward the sun, Chhath once again reminds us that faith shines brightest when shared together.
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