Chhath Puja is one of India’s most revered festivals, celebrated with deep devotion and purity, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The four-day festival is dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev (the Sun God) and symbolizes gratitude towards nature. During the puja, devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, observing a strict 36-hour fast without water — a true display of discipline, faith, and devotion.

Beyond its religious and cultural importance, Chhath Puja is also celebrated as one of the most eco-friendly and health-beneficial festivals in the world. Here’s why.

1. A Celebration of Cleanliness and Purity

Cleanliness is central to Chhath Puja. Before offering Arghya (water offerings to the Sun), devotees clean ponds, rivers, and surrounding ghats thoroughly. This not only creates a spiritually pure environment but also helps in maintaining local water bodies and reducing pollution. The emphasis on purity naturally promotes better hygiene and environmental care.

2. 100% Natural and Biodegradable Offerings

Unlike many modern celebrations, Chhath avoids the use of plastic or synthetic materials. Devotees carry fruits, grains, and offerings in bamboo baskets, clay pots, and leaf containers. These items are biodegradable and leave zero harmful waste, reinforcing the idea of sustainable celebration. Even if these materials remain at the ghats, they merge back with the soil without causing any damage.

3. Worship of the Sun — The Source of All Energy

Chhath Puja is essentially a worship of solar energy, acknowledging the Sun’s vital role in sustaining life on Earth. Every living being — humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms — depends directly or indirectly on sunlight. The festival reminds us to honor and protect natural resources, especially as solar power becomes a major source of renewable energy in modern times.

4. Use of Seasonal and Local Produce

The offerings used in Chhath — such as coconut, sugarcane, banana, radish, apple, bottle gourd, pumpkin, sweet potato, lemon, and betel leaves — are all seasonal, natural, and locally sourced. This promotes sustainable farming, supports local growers, and ensures that all the Prasad items are rich in nutrients and freshness.

5. Clay Lamps that Protect the Earth

Devotees light earthen diyas (lamps) filled with ghee or mustard oil, both of which are natural substances. These diyas, after breaking, return harmlessly to the soil, unlike plastic or wax-based materials. Moreover, the burning of ghee and mustard oil purifies the air, creating a calming, toxin-free atmosphere.

6. The Health Connection: Fasting, Sunlight, and Serenity

Chhath is not just spiritual — it’s also scientifically beneficial.

• Morning sunlight exposure helps in Vitamin D absorption and strengthens immunity.

• Fasting and discipline during the festival help in detoxifying the body and improving metabolism.

• Spending time by rivers and in open air keeps devotees close to nature, which enhances mental peace and emotional stability.

According to the Vedas, waking up during Brahma Muhurta (before sunrise) and meditating under the morning sun is extremely beneficial for health — something Chhath devotees practice wholeheartedly.