“May the Sun God bless all humans in this world with strength, prosperity, and success.If Chhati Maiya wants this to happen, it will happen”, Geerja Devi,73 year old, who has been doing Chhath Puja every year in the last 51 years.

The opinion expressed by Devi,a resident of Kokar in Jharkhand’s capital city Ranchi,is symptomatic of general sentiments of Chhath devotees in Bihar and Jharkhand.

They appear to have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strive to get the 'Chhath Mahaparva' included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

And if this happens, people in every corner of the world will be able to experience the Chhath festival's grandeur and divinity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on record having said his initiative during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on September 28, 2025. He had also some time ago said, on account of similar efforts by the government, that Kolkata's Durga Puja also became a part of this UNESCO list.

"Our festivals and celebrations keep India's culture alive. Chhath Puja is a sacred festival that comes after Diwali. This grand festival dedicated to the Sun God is very special," PM Modi is quoted having said in a PTI report on September 28, 2025.

"In this, we offer Arghya to the setting sun also and worship it. Chhath is not only celebrated in different parts of the country, but its splendour is seen all over the world. Now, it is turning into a global festival," PTI report quoted PM Modi as saying.

"I am very happy to inform you that the Government of India is also engaged in a major endeavour connected with Chhath Puja. The government of India is striving to get the Chhath Mahaparva included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List," Modi said.

“When Chhath Puja is included in the UNESCO list, people in every corner of the world will be able to experience its grandeur and divinity,” he had said.

Notably, the PM Modi was the key figure behind the establishment of the International Day of Yoga (IDY). His proposal in 2014 at the United Nations initiated the process that led to the annual celebration on June 21st.

Now,his initiative to get the 'Chhath Mahaparva' included in the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List was front paged by popular Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, Ranchi on the third of four-day Chhath.

As they are gearing up to perform the sacred act of offering Arghya to the setting sun, many women devotees who read this article authored by Suman Kumar,Under Secretary to Government of India · Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, have expressed happiness and praised PM Modi.

Chhath Pooja, a festival dedicated to the sun god offers a unique way to connect with its divine energy and seek blessings for a prosperous life. The festival holds a huge grandeur with its core lying in the act of offering Arghya to Surya Dev (Sun God).

The Sun God, Surya Dev, holds great significance as he is the celestial deity who illuminates the universe with his radiant presence. He is considered the ultimate source of life and energy. His beautiful and shining rays nourish plants, animals, and humans while ensuring the continuity of life on earth.

Apart from the physical illumination, Surya Dev is also considered the illuminator of consciousness as his radiant energy awakens the spiritual spirit and symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness.

The Sun God’s significance is also deeply rooted in Hindu scriptures and Puranas. Rig Veda, the oldest secret text of Hinduism, contains multiple hymns dedicated to Surya Dev, praising his brilliance and life-giving qualities.

Sun God(Surya Dev) also plays a crucial role in epic tales, like Ramayana and Mahabharata, where his blessings are sought for victory and success in life. He is also often invoked as a witness to oaths and vows.
 

The Ritual of Offering Arghya:

The heart of Chhath Pooja lies in the sacred act of offering Arghya to the rising and setting sun. This act of devotion involves a series of precise steps and materials rooted in deep spiritual significance.

To perform the Arghya ritual, devotees often use the following materials:

A brass or copper pot (lota) used to hold water for the offering. Water symbolizes purity, life, and the cleansing of sins.
 

Multiple seasonal fruits, which majorly include apples, oranges, and bananas.
 

Multiple fragrant flowers such as lotus, marigold, and rose. Offering flowers represents abundance and offering nature’s bounty to the divine. Diyas are lit to symbolize a ray of hope, positive energy, and the elimination of the soul.
The ritual of offering Arghya includes multiple steps which are:

Purification: Devotees start the process by purifying themselves by taking a holy bath.
Preparing the Offering: The lota is filled with clean water and seasonal fruits and flowers are arranged on a plate.
 

Facing the fun: Once devotees are done with preparing the offering, they stand in a river or any other water body facing the rising or setting sun.
Offering Arghya: Devotees offer water from the lota to the sun, chant mantras, and pray to the Surya dev with folded hands.
 

Lighting Diyas: Diyas are lit and floated on the water, representing the spread of light and knowledge.
 

To perform Arghya, you also need to make sure of the right timing as it is a crucial step in the success of the ritual. During Chhath Pooja, Arghya is offered:

• On the first day (Nahay-Khay) devotees take a holy bath in the morning and start with strict fasting. It is considered a day of spiritual purification.
• On the second day (Kharna) devotees start with the Nirjala fast, which means they can’t have a single drop of water during their fast.
• On the third day (Sandhya Arghya) devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun.
• On the fourth day (Usha Arghya) devotees offer Arghya to the rising sun and break their fast.
• Spiritual Benefits of Offering Arghya

Purification of the Soul

One of the major spiritual benefits of offering Arghya during Chhath Pooja is the purification of the soul. The water used in the ritual is believed to wash away all the sins and negative energies from your life. As devotees offer water to the Surya Dev, they symbolize positive energies and pave the way for spiritual growth.

Strengthening the Mind-Body Connection

As devotees focus on the Act of offering Arghya, their minds become calmer and more focused. This helps in strengthening the mind-body connection, leading to a meaningful life, promoting inner peace, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.

Gaining Divine Blessings

By offering Arghya to Surya Dev, devotees seek his blessings for better health with prosperity and spiritual enlightenment. The sun god, known as the source of life and energy, is believed to fulfill such desires. Hence, devotees offer prayers to fun with utmost dedication to seek his grace and protection.

Fostering Gratitude and Humility

By acknowledging the Sun God(Surya Dev), as the source of life and energy, devotees, who transcend barriers of caste and gender, foster a sense of gratitude for the blessings we receive and the fulfillment of their wishes. 

Apparently, this positive attitude of showing gratitude fosters a sense of humility and cultivates a deeper connection with the visible ultimate divine without the help of a priest.