Chhath puja day 3: Devotees to offer Sandhya arghya today - Know sunset timings

Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the Sun God, reaches a crucial stage on Sunday as thousands of devotees prepare to offer the first arghya, known as Sandhya Arghya, to the setting Sun.

The four-day festival, marked by strict fasting, prayers and traditional rituals, will conclude on Monday morning with the offering of arghya to the rising Sun.

Devotees observing Chhath are undertaking a rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast, during which they abstain from both food and water. The rituals are dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya, with devotees praying for the well-being and prosperity of their families.

On Saturday, devotees performed the Kharna rituals and prepared traditional offerings, including rasiya, kheer and puris. Following age-old customs, the prasad was cooked on clay stoves fuelled by mango wood.

After observing a day of strict discipline and purity, devotees broke their fast in the evening by consuming the Kharna prasad. This marked the beginning of the challenging 36-hour waterless fast.

In several households, special prayers were held in separate and secluded rooms during Kharna, in keeping with the festival's traditional practices.

Meanwhile, devotees who had taken religious vows began fulfilling them by performing prostrations along the route from their homes to the riverbanks and other designated ghats. The practice reflects their deep faith and devotion to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.

According to the scheduled timings, the Sun is expected to set at 4.54 pm on Sunday. Devotees will gather at riverbanks and other water bodies to offer the first arghya during the evening prayers.

The celebrations will conclude on Monday morning, when the Sun is expected to rise at 5.59 am. Devotees will offer the final arghya to the rising Sun, bringing the four-day Chhath Puja festival to an end.

(With IANS inputs)