How to Observe Chhath Vrat and Worship During Menstruation

Chhath Puja in Periods: Chhath Puja is a festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhath Mata. Chhath Puja is not just a festival, but is considered the oldest and purest tradition of sun worship. It is a four-day festival, starting on Saturday, October 25th in 2025.

The festival begins with Nahay-Khaye. The most important days of this festival are Nahay-Khaye, Kharna, morning Arghya, evening Arghya, and Parana. During Chhath Puja, devotees must follow strict rules and rituals. A very sensitive and important question arises these days: how can a devotee perform Chhath Puja if they are menstruating?

Menstruating women do not know the rituals of worship, and therefore feel excluded from the puja. Chhath Puja has special provisions for this.  If you wish to perform the puja during menstruation, do not just offer the arghya (water offering); follow the rest of the puja rituals. This is a fast dedicated to the Mother Goddess, and the devotion of the devotee is of paramount importance. One should avoid stress during menstruation. While observing the puja rituals, one should take care of one’s health and perform the Chhath Puja with devotion.

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Dates of Chhath Puja in 2025

Chhath Puja falls in the month of Kartik. In 2025, Chhath Puja will be celebrated on the following dates:

• October 25, Saturday: Bath and Eat
• October 26, Sunday: Kharna
• October 27, Monday: Evening Arghya
• October 28, Tuesday: Morning Arghya and Parana

During this four-day festival, the vow and self-purification of the devotee are extremely important.

Significance and Method of Nahay Khaye

Nahay Khaye is the first day of Chhath Puja. It is called the day of bathing and eating. On this day, the house and utensils must be thoroughly cleaned.

• Bath and Food: The fasting person should bathe in the morning and become clean and pure. Hair should be washed and sattvik food should be prepared. Ghee should be used primarily in cooking.
• Food Items: Rice made from raw rice, gourd vegetable, gram or arhar dal, pakodas, all of which should be cooked in ghee.
• Meal Time: After the fast, one can eat one meal a day. Before eating, it is necessary to offer prayers and worship the Sun God.
• Salt and Spices: Garlic and onion should not be used in cooking. Garlic and onion are prohibited during Chhath Puja. Other spices, such as salt, pepper, and turmeric, should also be pure.
• Dinner: Dinner should be light and pure. The food should be sattvik.  Eating heavy food may cause problems in fasting the next day.

The Day of Kharna 

Kharna is the second day of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees observe a full-day fast and break the fast after sunset. Kharna food is prepared with ghee, and kheer and fruits are also included. Kharna food should be very sattvic, pure, and simple.

Evening and Morning Arghya

• Evening Arghya: Devotees go to the ghat at sunset and offer arghya to Chhath Mata and the Sun God. The evening arghya is the most important ritual for devotees.
• Morning Arghya and Parana: Devotees go to the ghat at sunrise and offer arghya to the rising sun. Parana is performed after this, marking the end of the fast.

How to Perform Chhath Puja During Menstruation

Special rules have been established for women performing Chhath Puja during menstruation:

• No offering of arghya: During menstruation, it is prohibited for devotees to offer arghya themselves.  If anyone else is performing the puja at home, they can offer the arghya.
• Following the fast: It is possible to observe the fast even during menstruation, but offering arghya is not the only option.
• Health and faith: The faith of women observing the fast during menstruation is sufficient. One should avoid excessive mental stress at this time, and one should not follow the strict rules of the fast.
• If there is no one else to perform the puja at home: If women observing the Chhath fast during menstruation have no one else to perform the puja, they can perform the puja themselves, but should not offer arghya. Worship the Sun God only with folded hands.

By following these rules, the fasting woman can safely and faithfully complete her fast.

Other Important Rules for Chhath Puja During Menstruation

Do Not Prepare Yourself: If possible, women observing the fast during menstruation should avoid cooking for themselves. If there is another woman in the household observing the fast, have her prepare the food. The fasting woman can only observe the fast and offer prayers to the Sun God.

Rules for Cooking During Menstruation

• If there is no other cook in the house during Chhath Puja during menstruation, the fasting woman should bathe and wear clean clothes before cooking.
• The kitchen and utensils should be completely clean.
• The food should be sattvic and cooked in ghee.
• Avoid excessive spices.
• Avoid garlic and onion.

Food Items

• The food consists of raw rice, bottle gourd, arhar, and gram dal.
• Pakodas or light prasad should be prepared in ghee.
• Spices used in cooking, such as salt, turmeric, and pepper, should be clean and pure.

 Agniyari/Havan

• If possible, perform the havan only after preparing the meal.
• First, set aside food for the cow and the elders of the house.
• Do not offer arghya to the Sun God, but you can worship and observe a fast.

Precautions to Take During the Fast During Periods

• Avoid Offering Arghya: The fasting person should not offer Arghya to the Sun God during menstruation.
• Cleanliness: The fasting person should maintain good hygiene during menstruation.
• Observance of the Fast: The fasting person should fast during the day and strictly follow the rules during meals.
• Avoid Stress: Avoid excessive worry or stress during the fast. If someone else is performing the puja at home, they can offer Arghya and also prepare the Prasad and food.

Chhath Puja is not just a festival of fasting and rituals, but it also symbolizes spiritual connections with family. Devotion and purity are of utmost importance during Chhath Puja. The rules of menstruation explain that by following these rules, the fast can be completed with devotion and purity while taking care of one’s health and well-being.

FAQ- Chhath Puja in Periods