Chhath Puja is one of the prominent festivals among the devotees of Sun God, practiced with complete devotion in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The rituals and fasting practices associated with this festival are so extreme that even among ladies who follow very hard conditions all through four days. It is also performed as an act of worshipping to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya to request family wellness, prosperity, and good health.

If you are observing Chhath Puja for the first time, then you must know the dos and don‘ts of the fast. A small mistake can break the fast. Thus, here’s what to do and not do during Chhath Puja so that you may not be impure and will fulfill the rituals in a proper manner.

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Day 1: Nahay-Khay (Preparatory Day)

It begins with the first day of Nahay-Khay. This year it will be celebrated on 5th Nov, 2024 or 6th Nov,2024(Tuesday/Wednesday). In the holy river or nearby water source, devotees bathe to purify themselves, which means cleansing both body and mind.

Do’s for Nahay-Khay:

• Start with a Bath: Begin by bathing in clean water, preferably in a river or pond. The bath symbolizes purification, helping you prepare for the following days of rigorous fasting.
  
• Wear New Clothes: One is supposed to put on fresh clothes, absolutely unstained which have never worn before. In other words, pure, unstained new clothes which depict purity and dedication.
  
• Make a Different Kitchen: In case there arises an opportunity then get different kitchen or the cooking stove ready just for the Chhath Puja Prasad as well. For this food prepared during festival was never touched by impure stuff.
  
• Use Ganga Jal: Before cooking, wash your hands with Ganga Jal (water from the Ganges). It is believed that this will clean all impurities.

Don‘ts for Nahay-Khay:

• Do not touch cooked grains and salt with bare hands while preparing prasad during Chhath Puja.
  
• Do Not Use Leftover Firewood or Stove: Make sure the utensils and stove used for the festival are dedicated only to Chhath Puja. Otherwise, it will spoil the puja.

Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna

On the second day, which is on 6th Nov, 2024(Wednesday) devotees observe a fast from sunrise till sunset, and then break it in the evening by a simple meal, which is also offered to Surya Dev.

Do’s for Lohanda and Kharna:

• Pray Before the Feast Break: After fasting in the day, it’s a tradition to provide food for Surya Dev before having the simple meal prepared which comprises of kheer or rice pudding, roti, and bananas that is a form of appreciation.
  
• Cleanliness: An area that is used in dining or preparing the meal should be clean. Everything must be devoid of any type of impurities to do Kharna.
  
• Pure and Simple Foods: This is the last meal before a 36-hour fast, so it should be light and nourishing enough to carry you through the fasting period.

Don’ts of Lohanda and Kharna 

• No impure activities: During Chhath Puja, body and mind should be pure. Avoid any activities or thoughts that may disturb your spiritual focus.
  
• No Garlic or Onion: Not even a smell of garlic and onion is permitted in Chhath Puja as such things are associated with impurity that distracts from the sanctity of the celebrations.

Third Day: 

It is preparation day for worship offerings of evening prayer in the setting sun, in which devotees offer their pujan to the waning sun. In 2024, it will on 7th Nov 2024(Thrusday).

Do’s at Sandhya Arghya:

• Fresh offerings: Prepare items with wholehearted puja that involves preparing thekua or any kind of baked sweet, fruits, sugarcane, coconut, bananas, and so on.
  
• Clean new baskets: Onam being a festival devoted to deities, the offer is kept inside a bamboo basket. Try to use an unused bamboo basket to add to its purity.
  
• Perform Arghya by the Water: Carry the offering to any natural water, like river or pond or even tub. 

Stand up in the water, making an obeisance and offering towards Surya Dev for respect and thanks.

 Don‘ts during Sandhya Arghya:

• Don’t touch food after Bathing : Ensure that you have already bathed before touching any of the evening prayer‘s offerings.
  
• Avoid Using Old Baskets: It is believed that the ritual sanctity can be disturbed by using old or used baskets.
  

Day 4: Usha Arghya or Early Morning Offerings to the Sun

On the fourth day, devotees offer prayers to the rising sun by performing the Usha Arghya in the early morning. This marks the culmination of four days of fasting and devotion. It is on 8th Nov, 2024(Friday) in the year 2024.

Dos for Usha Arghya:

• Offerings in the Morning: This puja is performed in the water, standing with an uplifted face to welcome the sunrise and thank for blessings and ask for good health and wellbeing.
  
• Fresh Flowers, Fruits, and Prasad: All items presented during the puja must be fresh to denote new life and blessings of God.
  
• Prasad at the Break of the Fast: After finishing the prayers, devotees and family members enjoy prasad as it denotes oneness, love, and god’s blessing.

Do’s for Usha Arghya:

• Avoid Touching Food Earlier: During Chhath Puja, it is not allowed to eat or even touch the prasad before offering it to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
  
• Avoid Using Leftover Food Materials: All the materials prepared during Chhath Puja should be fresh, pure, and untarnished to preserve the holiness of the day.

Other Rules to be Kept in Mind Throughout Chhath Puja

• Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food: Traditionally, the day before fasting begins, no meat, fish, egg, or even alcohol is permissible. Body and soul must be cleansed to serve.
  
• No Smoking or Drinking: These are strictly not permissible as smoking and drinking are considered impure acts and may affect the success of the fasting.
  
• Maintaining Cleanliness and Devotion: Keep your home, especially those areas meant for worship, clean as well, and ensure that it remained calm and peaceful throughout the fasting period.

Importance of upholding these customs

Chhath Puja is not only a festival; rather, it is a time for the purification and cleansing of the body, mind, and soul. These dos and don‘ts help people to maintain the sacred values of these prayers and fasting and let the devotees achieve their spiritual goals. It is believed that through these four days of prayer, people will get all the blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya to live in peace, prosperity, and good health.

Whether you are a first-time observer or an experienced devotee, these guidelines will help you exercise restraint to preserve the purity of Chhath Puja and make the experience more spiritually fulfilling and worthwhile.