Chhath Puja 2025 in Delhi: Devotees Return to Yamuna Ghats After Years

The Eternal Spirit of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is not just a festival — it is a divine connection between humans and nature. Dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the festival celebrates purity, gratitude, and the life-giving power of the sun. Originating in Bihar, it is deeply revered across eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal, and has now found a vibrant place in Delhi, where millions of Purvanchalis have made the city their home.

Observed over four spiritually charged days, Chhath Puja follows ancient Vedic traditions. Devotees maintain rigorous fasting, observe cleanliness, and make offerings known as Arghya — sacred water offerings to both the setting and rising sun. Each act symbolizes devotion, discipline, and a prayer for health, harmony, and prosperity.

As the sun dips below the horizon and reappears the next morning, it mirrors the eternal cycle of life — light conquering darkness, hope triumphing over despair.

A Homecoming at the Yamuna Ghats

Chhath Puja 2025 holds special significance for Delhiites — it marks the return of the festival to the sacred Yamuna Ghats after several years. Restrictions imposed due to pollution and safety concerns had earlier limited celebrations, leaving many devotees yearning for the riverbank rituals that define the essence of the festival.

This year, the banks of the Yamuna River have come alive once again. From Yamuna Bank Metro Station to Wazirabad, Kalindi Kunj, and Geeta Colony, ghats are resonating with chants of “Chhathi Maiya ki Jai!”

One devotee, Meena Devi from East Delhi, shared her emotions:

“Hum bohot khush hain… Is saal phir se Yamuna Maiya ke kinare Chhath manayenge. Yeh hamare liye pavitra punarjanm jaisa hai.”

(We are overjoyed to celebrate again by the Yamuna. It feels like a sacred rebirth for us.)

This homecoming represents more than a ritual — it’s a revival of community, faith, and nostalgia for countless families who grew up celebrating Chhath by the riverbanks.

Delhi’s Massive Preparations for Chhath Puja 2025

Understanding the emotional and cultural importance of this return, the Delhi Government and civic bodies have undertaken large-scale preparations to make the festival safe, clean, and inclusive.

Over 1,000 to 1,500 ghats have been prepared across the city, including 23 natural Yamuna Ghats.

Extensive cleanliness drives have been conducted to remove waste and silt from the banks.

Bamboo barricades, eco-friendly decorations, and solar lighting have been installed.

Mobile toilets, medical camps, and ambulance teams are stationed for emergencies.

Traffic advisories ensure smooth crowd movement, while volunteers assist devotees at every stage.

This year, Delhi has also declared a public holiday for Chhath Puja, reflecting the festival’s growing cultural importance in the national capital.

The Rituals: A Symphony of Devotion

The beauty of Chhath Puja lies in its simplicity and discipline. The rituals follow a four-day sequence filled with deep symbolism:

Nahay Khay (Day 1): Devotees begin purification by bathing in a holy river and preparing a meal of rice, pumpkin, and chana dal cooked in bronze or clay utensils.

Kharna (Day 2): A day-long fast without water, broken after sunset with gud-kheer (jaggery rice pudding) and fruits offered to the deity.

Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Women, dressed in traditional sarees, stand waist-deep in the Yamuna, offering arghya to the setting sun while Bhojpuri devotional songs echo across the ghats.

Usha Arghya (Day 4): At dawn, devotees offer prayers to the rising sun, concluding their fast and seeking blessings for prosperity, good health, and happiness.

Each step represents humility and harmony with nature. The sight of glowing diyas floating on the Yamuna and families standing in prayerful silence creates a mesmerizing spiritual ambiance across Delhi.

Balancing Faith with Environmental Responsibility

While the return of devotees to the Yamuna is a moment of joy, environmental experts have urged caution. The Yamuna remains ecologically fragile, and massive gatherings can threaten its delicate balance.

Delhi’s civic agencies, including the DPCC and I&FC Department, have deployed eco-monitors to ensure waste segregation, proper disposal of ritual items, and continuous post-event clean-up. Plastic use has been banned, and eco-friendly materials like banana leaves and bamboo baskets are encouraged.

NGOs and volunteers have also joined hands to promote a “Clean Chhath, Green Chhath” campaign — spreading awareness about preserving the sanctity of both faith and nature.

Cultural Unity and Identity in the Capital

The revival of Chhath Puja at the Yamuna Ghats represents more than religious devotion — it symbolizes the cultural unity of Delhi. For the city’s vast Purvanchali community, this festival is an emotional bridge connecting generations and geography — Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi united in prayer and pride.

Beyond the rituals, it is a celebration of belonging. From folk songs and traditional sweets like thekua to the rhythmic sounds of dholak and manjiras, the festival transforms Delhi into a miniature Bihar.

Even non-Purvanchali residents join in, reflecting Delhi’s inclusive spirit. The glowing skyline, the fragrance of incense, and the devotion in every face speak of a city that embraces every tradition as its own.

Chhath Puja 2025 — A Celebration of Faith, Family, and Future

As the sun rises over the Yamuna on Usha Arghya, its golden light illuminates countless folded hands, silent prayers, and teary smiles. It’s a moment of divine connection — where nature, faith, and humanity meet.

Chhath Puja 2025 has not just brought devotees back to the Yamuna; it has brought back hope, unity, and pride to the heart of Delhi.

In the words of one devotee:

“Yeh keval puja nahi hai, yeh hamari sanskriti ka punarjanm hai.”

(This is not just worship — it is the rebirth of our culture.)