CM Sukhu extends Chhath Puja greetings to HP
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended heartfelt Chhath Puja greetings on 15 November 2026, invoking blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev for joy, good health, and prosperity for all devotees.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu posted Chhath Puja greetings on 15 November 2026 .
The message invoked blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev for health, happiness, and prosperity.
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival rooted primarily in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh .
The festival centres on sun worship and strict rituals including fasting and water offerings at sunrise and sunset.
Sukhu's greetings reflect standard outreach by Indian state leaders to diverse communities during major festivals.
On the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended warm wishes to devotees across the state and the country on Sunday, 15 November 2026, invoking the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev for health, happiness, and prosperity.
In his message posted on X, CM Sukhu wrote: 'लोक आस्था एवं सूर्य उपासना के महापर्व छठ पूजा की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ' — 'Heartfelt greetings on Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk faith and sun worship.' He added that it was his heartfelt wish that the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Surya Dev bring joy, good health, and happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives.
Chhath Puja: a festival of sun, faith, and discipline
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, observed with strict rituals including fasting, holy bathing, and offering arghya — water offerings — to the rising and setting sun. The festival holds deep roots in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and neighbouring regions, though it is now observed widely across India and among Indian diaspora communities globally.
Indian state leaders routinely issue greetings during major festivals as a gesture of cultural outreach and community solidarity. For a Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh, acknowledging a festival with strong emotional resonance among migrant communities from Bihar and eastern UP — many of whom are present across North Indian states — carries both cultural and civic significance.
Point of View
Reaching out on Chhath Puja acknowledges the growing presence of communities from Bihar and eastern UP across Himachal Pradesh. It also reflects the Congress party's broader effort to maintain pan-community appeal ahead of any electoral cycle. Such gestures, while ceremonial, are part of a consistent political-cultural strategy that all major parties deploy.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chhath Puja and when is it celebrated?
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, observed primarily in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It involves fasting, holy bathing, and offering arghya to the rising and setting sun, typically falling in October or November.
Why did CM Sukhu post Chhath Puja greetings?
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended Chhath Puja greetings on 15 November 2026 as part of standard cultural outreach by state leaders during major Indian festivals, expressing wishes for health and prosperity for all devotees.
Is Chhath Puja celebrated in Himachal Pradesh?
While Chhath Puja has its strongest roots in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, it is observed across North India including Himachal Pradesh, particularly among migrant communities settled in the state.
Who is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and a leader of the Indian National Congress, holding the office since 2022.
What are the main rituals of Chhath Puja?
The main rituals of Chhath Puja include a 36-hour fast without water, bathing in rivers or water bodies, and offering arghya — water and seasonal fruits — to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya).
