Chhath Puja: If the 36-hour long fast of Chhath Puja is broken, do not panic; do penance like this...

Chhath Puja Vrat 2025: The four-day festival of Chhath begins on Saturday, October 25th, and begins with Nahai-Khaai. The four-day festival of Chhath lasts for four days, and during this time, the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. In Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, Chhath Puja is not just a festival, but a major celebration of faith. On this day, devotees observe a 36-hour fast without water, praying for the well-being of their family and children. It is said that those who observe this fast with devotion, Chhathi Maiya, fulfill all their wishes. While this is rare, sometimes the fast is broken due to fatigue, weakness, or ill health. This creates a fear in people's minds: will Chhathi Maiya be angry, or will they be blamed if the fast is left incomplete?

Worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya
On the second day of Chhath Mahaparva, women begin a Nirjala Vrat (fast without water) and break it on the final day after offering prayers to the Sun God. This festival is considered the highest celebration of Sun worship, where the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya (Usha or Pratyusha Devi) are worshipped. Its purpose is to purify the body, mind, and soul and to imbibe the Sun's divine energy in life. During the Chhath Vrat, one offers Arghya (water offering) at both sunset and sunrise.

36-Hour Fast
On the first day of Chhath Puja, bathing and eating, fasting on the second day, fasting on the third day, and breaking the fast on the fourth day, this destroys the Tamoguna (darkness) from the body and brings forth the Tejomaya (radiance) (light energy) from the body. There is no need to panic if a devotee is forced to break this 36-hour fast. In fact, religious scriptures mention Prayashchit (atonement) for such situations, as a way to maintain the respect of the fast.

Do this when your fast is broken.
First, take a bath and, with a calm mind, light a lamp in front of Chhathi Maiya. Say to her, "Oh Chhathi Maiya, I have unintentionally committed a mistake. Please forgive me and allow the fast to continue." You can also seek advice from elders or a priest, and even make a donation; this is simply a form of atonement. There's no need to entertain the thought that something untoward might happen if the fast is broken. Remember, a mother would never cause pain to her children; that's not her job. A mother has only love to offer her devotees, and she bestows her loving blessings. If you don't want to continue the fast, take a vow again the next day and resume the fast, following the rules.

Chhath Puja Dates 2025
The first day of Chhath Puja is Nahai-Khai – October 25, Saturday
The second day of Chhath Puja is Kharna – October 26, Sunday
The third day of Chhath Puja is Sandhya Arghya – October 27, Monday
The fourth day of Chhath Puja is Usha Arghya – October 28, Tuesday

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