The auspicious festival, Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Surya Dev a Hindu Sun God, and Shashthi Devi, daughter of Brahma and wife of Skanda or Muruga (son of Shiva and Parvati). Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali and lasts for four days.
Nahay Khay celebrated on the fourth day after Diwali, marks the beginning of the four-day-long Chhath Puja, one of the most significant Hindu festivals observed primarily in Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
On this day, devotees ritualistically bathe and partake in a sattvic vegetarian meal to cleanse and prepare themselves before commencing the rigorous Chhath fast.
As part of Nahay Khay traditions, the entire house is thoroughly cleaned and purified to maintain purity during the celebrations. The devotees, along with the family, then take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and partake in the prasad meal.
The meal consists of sacred offerings like pumpkin curry, chickpeas, radishes, and rice. Consuming this kaddu bhaat (rice and pumpkin) prasad is considered auspicious for beginning the fast. Only one meal with salt is eaten on Nahay Khay.
The essence of observing Nahay Khay lies in ritualistic purification before undertaking the nirjala vrat (waterless fast) that follows during the main four days of Chhath. By cleansing themselves and their surroundings, devotees start their fast in a sattvic manner.
The festival is dedicated to the Sun God and observed by women with rigorous rituals to pray for their family’s health and prosperity. Chhath celebrations culminate on the seventh morning after Diwali when devotees offer sacred arghya to the rising Sun.
Marking the festival’s beginning, Nahay Khay holds deep spiritual significance. Its traditions are rooted in purification rituals as devotees prepare mind, body, and home before the strict 36-hour nirjala upvaas.
The first day sets the tone for the rest of Chhath through practices like holy dips, sattvic meals, prayer, and meritorious abstinence. those who do not observe fasting during the four days of Chhath must consume a sattvic meal.
