Chhath Puja: A Tradition, An Emotion And The Shopping Spree

My earliest memory of Chhath Puja isn't one of boarding crowded trains to reach our village or watching my parents frantically book tickets months in advance. It's something far more intimate and urban. It's about packing our bags with all things ethnic and heading to my Nani's home nestled in the bustling streets of Delhi. That was our version of Chhath Puja, a city celebration with a soul deeply rooted in tradition.

From frying thekua to singing Sharda Sinha's songs, every moment is steeped in nostalgia.
Photo Credit: Pexels

Over the years, life happened. Cousins grew up, moved cities, got married, landed jobs, and I did too. With every passing year, the size of our regular gathering fluctuated. But one thing remained constant: our collective resolve to come together for Chhath Puja. No matter what changed, this tradition anchored us.

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2025: Discover These 5 Tussar Silk Sarees Under ₹2,000 For Celebration

The three-day celebration is nothing short of magical. It's chaotic, yes, but it's also powerful. There's something about it that feels different, something that pulls you closer to your roots. Have you ever listened to Chhath songs by Sharda Sinha? To someone unfamiliar, they might sound like just another folk tune. But for me, they evoke goosebumps. They carry the scent of frying thekua, the sound of laughter echoing through the house, the sight of decorated sups, and the divine energy that surrounds the day.

Even as I write this, I feel like I've opened a floodgate of memories. The nostalgia is overwhelming, the kind that makes you smile and tear up at the same time.

In recent years, Chhath Puja has found its place in mainstream media, but I still feel it hasn't received the recognition it truly deserves. The festivities don't begin on the day of the puja, they start much earlier. In our household, we don't prepare to be “Diwali Ready”; we prepare to be “Chhath Ready.”

Whether in a village or a city, the spirit of Chhath Puja remains
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From hunting for the perfect yellow saree for Kharna to scouting for a sturdy daura to carry offerings to the ghaat, the preparations are intense and deeply personal. It's not just about rituals, it's about emotion, community, and identity.

And of course, there's the shopping spree. Chhath Puja comes with its own unique checklist, a blend of tradition and practicality. Here's a quick list of 10 essential items that every Chhath-ready household swears by:

10 Must-Have Items For Chhath Puja

1. Chhath Puja Trousseau

Every vrati (the one observing the fast) needs a fresh collection of sarees. One is worn on the first day, Nahay Khaye. A bright yellow saree is traditionally worn on the second day during the Kharna ritual. Two sarees are needed for the third and fourth days, one for before the arghya and one for after. This trousseau isn't just about sarees, it includes gold jewellery, orange sindoor, alta, silver anklets, and more. It's almost like a bridal trousseau in its richness and significance.

2. Daura (Basket)

By now, everyone has seen that viral instagram reel where a vrati explains the significance of the daura. Only the fortunate get to carry it to the ghat. It's a sturdy bamboo or cane basket used to carry offerings, often decorated with flowers and colourful cloth.

3. Sup (Winnowing Basket)

These flat bamboo trays are used to arrange fruits, sweets, and other offerings. They're often beautifully decorated and hold deep symbolic meaning.

4. Homemade Offerings

Chhath Puja is all about preparing offerings at home, thekua, khaja, gujiya,and khaajuria. Wheat flour, jaggery, ghee (clarified butter), and coconut are the essential ingredients for these signature sweets.

5. Seasonal Fruits

Especially bananas, sugarcane, coconut, and sweet lime. These must be fresh and spotless, as they are offered to the Sun God.

Our home gets Chhath Ready long before Diwali arrives.
Photo Credit: Pexels

6. Earthen Diyas and Incense Sticks

Diyas are lit during the evening and morning arghya, creating a serene spiritual atmosphere. Incense sticks are used during prayers to enhance the devotional mood.

7. New Clothes for All Family Members

Wearing new traditional clothes is part of the celebration. Every family member is expected to dress in new attire, sarees and suits for women, and kurta-pyjama or dhoti for men.

8. Waterproof Mats and Sheets

Especially useful at riverbanks or public muddy ghats. These help keep the sitting area clean and dry during rituals.

9. Decorative Items

Flowers, rangoli colours, and torans are used to decorate homes and the ghat area, adding to the festive spirit.

10. Chhath Songs Playlist

Whether it's Sharda Sinha's timeless classics or newer renditions, a playlist of devotional songs sets the mood and brings everyone together.

Chhath Puja is more than just a festival. It's a feeling, a tradition, and a celebration of resilience, gratitude, and togetherness. Whether celebrated in a village by the river or in a city apartment with a terrace ghaat, its essence remains untouched.

So, as the season approaches, let's get Chhath Ready, not just with our shopping bags, but with our hearts full of devotion and memories waiting to be made.

Products Related To This Article

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2. HakSap Traditional Multipurpose Fruit Basket

3. ShubhThali Brass

4. Printed Madhubani Tussar Silk Saree

5. Woven Madhubani Tussar Silk Saree

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Chhath Puja and why is it celebrated?

Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated to express gratitude and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and well-being.

2. When does Chhath Puja take place?

Chhath Puja is observed six days after Diwali, typically in October or November. It spans four days, with rituals including Nahai Khaye, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya.

3. What are the key rituals of Chhath Puja?

The rituals include fasting, preparing traditional foods like thekua, offering prayers at sunrise and sunset, and making offerings at water bodies such as rivers or ponds.

4. What are the essential items needed for Chhath Puja?

Items include yellow sarees, bamboo baskets (daura and sup), seasonal fruits, earthen lamps, incense sticks, and ingredients for traditional sweets like thekua.

5. Can Chhath Puja be celebrated in urban settings?

Absolutely. Many families celebrate Chhath Puja on terraces or in local parks and artificial ponds, maintaining the rituals and spirit of the festival even in cities.