A Day of Devotion: All About the Sandhya Arghya of Chhath Puja 2025:

Today marks the most beautiful and poignant day of Chhath Puja, the festival where faith, nature, and tradition come together in a powerful display of devotion. Millions of devotees, who have been observing a strict fast for 36 hours without even a drop of water, will gather this evening to offer the first 'Arghya' to the setting sun.

This ritual, known as Sandhya Arghya, is the heart of the four-day festival. It's a moment filled with emotion, as families come together on the banks of rivers, ponds, and other water bodies to pay their respects to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.

What is Sandhya Arghya?

Sandhya Arghya is the evening offering made to the Sun God as it sets. Devotees stand in the water for hours, holding bamboo baskets (soop) filled with fruits, sweets, and traditional offerings like thekua and seasonal vegetables. As the sun begins its descent, they offer milk and holy water, praying for the well-being, prosperity, and happiness of their families.

This ritual is unique because Chhath is one of the very few festivals in the world where the setting sun is worshipped. It symbolizes gratitude for the day that has passed and a prayer for protection through the night, holding out hope for the sun's return the next morning. It’s a profound moment of reflection, patience, and unwavering faith.

Timings for the Evening Arghya on October 27, 2025

The timing of the sunset is crucial for this ritual. Here are the approximate sunset times for some key cities where Chhath is celebrated with great fervor:

Patna, Bihar: 5:10 PM
Ranchi, Jharkhand: 5:13 PM
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: 5:16 PM
Kolkata, West Bengal: 5:00 PM
New Delhi: 5:39 PM

After the evening Arghya, the devotees will return home to continue their fast through the night. They will sing traditional Chhath songs and prepare for the final offering, the Usha Arghya, which will be made to the rising sun tomorrow morning, bringing the great festival to a close.

It is a day that beautifully captures the essence of community, sacrifice, and deep-rooted faith that defines Chhath Puja.