Chhath Puja 2020: What is Nahay Khay? Know significance, muhurat, vrat vidhi

Just after Diwali, on the Chaturthi Tithi (fourth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik begins the Chhath festivities with Nahay Khay.

What is Nahay Khay?

On this day, those keeping a fast rise early take a bath and wear fresh/new/clean clothes while those staying close to a river, take a dip in the holy waters to begin their vrat. After taking a bath, devotees do Sankalpa (take a pledge) that they would observe the vrat with devotion and sincerity. Then they take the blessings of the Gods and Chhati Maiya for a successful vrat. Subsequently, they eat the first and the only meal of the day.

The four-day-long Chhath Puja begins on Wednesday, November 18. The festival is majorly celebrated in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and in parts of Nepal. 

Since the main puja revolves around the Sun God, the sunrise and sunset timings are crucial. 

Nahay Khay day Suryoday and Suryast time

On the day of Nahay Khay, i.e. November 18, the Suryoday and Suryast timings are as follows:

Sunrise - 6:46 am
Sunset - 5:26 pm

On the second day, ie, on the Panchami Tithi, devotees celebrate Kharna, by observing Nirjala vrat (fasting without drinking even a drop of water) from sunrise to sunset. They break their fast only after offering their prayers to the Sun God during sunset. 

This year Lohanda and Kharna fall on November 19, 2020.

Sunrise time: 6:47 am
Sunset time: 5:26 pm

The main day of Chhath Puja is on the Shashthi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. Chhath Puja is done on this day only. The third day of the festival is the main puja day, and it is called Chhath Puja. It is observed on Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. On this day, women offer Sandhya Arghya. Women observe a day-long fast and break it only on the following day after sunrise. 

Sunrise time: 6:48 am
Sunset time: 5:26 pm

The last day of Chhath Puja is observed on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. Women, who observe the Chhat Puja Vrat, break their fast (do the Parana) on this day. They offer their prayers and water to the Sun God. This year, Usha Arghya and Parana of Chhath Puja will take place on November 21. 

Sunrise time: 6:49 am
Sunset time: 5:25 pm