July 28, 2025

Chhath Parwa, also known as Chhath Puja, is one of the most deeply spiritual and visually striking festivals celebrated in Nepal, especially in the Terai region. It is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and his consort Usha (the first light of dawn). This ancient Vedic festival symbolizes gratitude to the solar deity for sustaining life and granting health, prosperity, and well-being.

Celebrated six days after Tihar, Chhath Parwa usually falls in October or November, during the month of Kartik. Over four days, devotees engage in a series of highly disciplined rituals that include fasting, ritual bathing, and offering arghya (prayers with sacred water and offerings) to the setting and rising sun. Women, who are the primary worshippers, observe strict purity, sometimes fasting without water for up to 36 hours to honor Surya Dev.

The most evocative moments of Chhath Parwa occur on the third and fourth days, when thousands of devotees dressed in traditional attire gather at riverbanks, ponds, and lakes at sunset and sunrise. They carry offerings in bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sweets, and thekua (a special homemade delicacy), and stand knee-deep in water as they pray to the Sun. The collective silence, glowing oil lamps, and rising steam from incense create an atmosphere of profound serenity and devotion.

Though originally rooted in the Mithila region and Maithili culture, Chhath has transcended its geographic origins. Today, it is widely observed across the Terai belt, including Janakpur, Birgunj, Biratnagar, and even in parts of Kathmandu where the Madhesi and Maithili diaspora reside. Its growing prominence has made it an important symbol of Nepal’s cultural inclusivity.

For visitors, Chhath is not just a religious event—it’s a deeply moving experience of human devotion set against the backdrop of nature. Watching entire communities unite to honor the sun, the rivers, and the rhythm of life leaves a lasting impression of Nepal’s spiritual depth and cultural harmony.

Time of Year: Late October to November (6th day of Kartik month; 6 days after Tihar)

Who Celebrates: Primarily Maithili, Madhesi, and Tharu communities; increasingly celebrated nationwide

Location: Terai regions (Janakpur, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Lahan), and riverbanks in Kathmandu

What to Expect: Ritual fasting, prayer offerings to sunrise/sunset, riverside gatherings, oil lamps, traditional foods

Interesting Facts:

  • Devotees observe 36-hour fasts without water in honor of the Sun
  • Thekua, a handmade sweet snack, is a signature offering during Chhath
  • Unlike other festivals, Chhath is entirely free from idol worship—only the sun and nature are revered