The fourth and final day of Chhath Puja, known as Usha Arghya or the morning offering, is the most eagerly awaited part of the festival. Celebrated primarily in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and in parts of Nepal, Chhath Puja is a four-day festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (his sister). Over these days, devotees embark on a journey of intense fasting, worship, and meditation, expressing their gratitude for the Sun's role in sustaining life. The last day, Usha Arghya, focuses on offering prayers to the rising sun as a symbol of new beginnings, hope, and renewal. This essay explores the rituals, significance, and devotion embodied in the fourth day of Chhath Puja.

The Significance of Usha Arghya: Honoring the Rising Sun

The rituals of Chhath Puja culminate with Usha Arghya, where devotees offer prayers to the rising sun. While the third day celebrates the setting sun, the morning Arghya signifies the importance of dawn and the Sun’s daily rebirth. In Hindu philosophy, the rising sun is a symbol of life, energy, and the promise of new beginnings, marking the triumph of light over darkness. Through Usha Arghya, devotees express gratitude for the life-giving energy of the Sun and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness.

The act of worshiping the Sun during both sunset and sunrise highlights the cycle of life, acknowledging that every ending brings a new beginning. For devotees, offering Usha Arghya is a way to strengthen their bond with the divine and to align themselves with the rhythms of nature. The ritual not only reinforces faith but also instills hope and optimism for the future.

Preparations for Usha Arghya: Gathering at the Riverbank

Devotees begin their preparations for Usha Arghya early in the morning before sunrise. After observing a rigorous 36-hour fast without food or water, they prepare to conclude their journey with the final ritual. The morning of Usha Arghya starts with devotees and their families cleaning and organizing the offerings they will present to the Sun God. The offerings, arranged in bamboo baskets called "dauras," typically include seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, and thekua (a sweet treat made of wheat flour and jaggery).

As dawn approaches, devotees, dressed in traditional attire, make their way to the riverbank or a nearby water body where the Arghya will take place. Many wear yellow or orange clothing, symbolizing devotion and the sun's warmth. It is believed that a clean and serene environment enhances the blessings received, so great attention is paid to cleanliness and purity throughout the Chhath Puja celebrations. Women who are observing the fast often wear new sarees, and many cover their heads as a mark of respect to the deity. The devotion to detail in these preparations reflects the respect that devotees have for the ritual and the divine.

The Ritual of Usha Arghya: Offering Prayers to the Rising Sun

As the first light of dawn appears on the horizon, devotees gather at the riverbank or pond, holding their dauras filled with offerings. Standing in waist-deep water, they face the east, waiting for the sun to rise. This early morning gathering creates a serene and uplifting atmosphere, with devotees united by a shared purpose of devotion and prayer. The calmness of the water, the gentle sounds of devotional songs, and the soft glow of the early morning light combine to create an environment charged with spirituality and hope.

When the first rays of sunlight break over the horizon, devotees begin the ritual by offering water (Arghya) to the Sun. Holding a small vessel filled with water, they raise it above their heads and slowly pour the water as they face the Sun, a gesture symbolizing reverence, gratitude, and surrender. Along with water, the offerings in the daura—fruits, thekua, and other items—are also dedicated to Surya Dev. Many devotees accompany the ritual with chants or mantras dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, further enhancing the spiritual significance of the moment.

In this act of devotion, the water poured to the rising sun represents the devotees’ pure intentions and their reliance on the divine for sustenance. The symbolism of water, which nurtures all life, combined with the Sun's life-giving energy, reinforces the connection between humanity and nature. For devotees, this moment of Arghya brings a sense of fulfillment, as they conclude their fasting with a renewed sense of spiritual strength and optimism for the future.

Breaking the Fast: Sharing Prasad with Family and Community

After completing Usha Arghya, devotees break their 36-hour fast by consuming the prasad that has been offered to the Sun God. The breaking of the fast is both a personal and communal moment, filled with a sense of gratitude and relief. Prasad, such as thekua, fruits, and other items, is first offered to Chhathi Maiya, and then shared among family members, neighbors, and friends. This act of sharing not only marks the end of the fast but also embodies the spirit of community and generosity.

In many households, elders distribute the prasad to children and family members, symbolizing the passing down of blessings and the continuity of traditions. The distribution of prasad strengthens familial bonds and reinforces the sense of unity and shared devotion within the community. Many believe that by partaking in the prasad, they receive divine blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness, and it is cherished as a symbol of divine grace.

The Spirit of Renewal and Gratitude

The completion of Usha Arghya brings a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment to devotees. By observing the challenging fast, enduring physical hardship, and engaging in acts of humility, devotees experience a spiritual cleansing that prepares them for the year ahead. The festival of Chhath Puja is not only a time for prayer but also an opportunity for self-discipline, reflection, and renewal.

The experience of Chhath Puja leaves devotees with a heightened sense of gratitude and an appreciation for nature’s role in sustaining life. The festival emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature, celebrating the gifts of life, and recognizing the cycles of beginning and end that are part of the natural world. For many, Usha Arghya marks the end of a spiritual journey that renews their commitment to family, community, and the divine.

Conclusion

The fourth day of Chhath Puja, Usha Arghya, is a profound conclusion to the four-day festival, symbolizing hope, gratitude, and renewal. The rituals of the morning Arghya—offering water and prasad to the rising sun, breaking the fast, and sharing blessings with the community—are acts of devotion and thanksgiving that reflect the central values of Chhath Puja. These values include gratitude for the Sun’s life-giving energy, humility before nature, and faith in the divine cycle of renewal and regeneration.

Usha Arghya exemplifies the enduring faith of devotees, who, through fasting and prayer, seek the blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for health, prosperity, and happiness. The festival of Chhath Puja is not only a personal journey of devotion but also a celebration of community and the shared bonds that unite people in gratitude and reverence. As devotees offer their final prayers to the rising sun, they conclude Chhath Puja with a renewed sense of purpose, spiritual strength, and hope for the future.

Through Usha Arghya, Chhath Puja reaffirms the importance of balance, endurance, and gratitude, teaching that by honoring the forces of nature, one can find inner peace and fulfillment. This final day embodies the heart of Chhath Puja, blending the personal with the communal and the earthly with the divine.