HP CM Sukhu extends Chhath Puja greetings to devotees
Synopsis
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conveyed heartfelt Chhath Puja greetings on November 15, 2026, praying that blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Suryadev bring joy, good health, and prosperity to all devotees in Himachal Pradesh and beyond.
Key Takeaways
CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended official Chhath Puja greetings via the Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh on November 15, 2026 .
The message invoked blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Suryadev for happiness, good health, and prosperity.
Chhath Puja is a major festival of solar worship with deep roots among communities from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh .
Sukhu has led the Indian National Congress government in Himachal Pradesh since December 2022 .
The greeting reflects outreach to Himachal Pradesh's diverse settler and migrant communities who observe the festival.
On the morning of Chhath Puja, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended warm wishes to devotees across Himachal Pradesh and beyond, invoking the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Suryadev for happiness, good health, and prosperity.
Posting on behalf of the Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, November 15, 2026, the message read: 'Heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk devotion and Sun worship. May the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Suryadev bring joy, good health, and happiness and prosperity to your life — this is my sincere wish.'
Chhath Puja: a festival rooted in solar devotion
Chhath Puja is one of India's most ancient festivals, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and observed across four days with strict rituals including fasting, holy bathing, and offering arghya (water oblations) to the rising and setting sun. The festival holds deep significance for communities with roots in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and their diasporas spread across Indian states.
Sukhu's outreach to Himachal's diverse communities
CM Sukhu, who has led the Indian National Congress government in Himachal Pradesh since December 2022, has consistently used official channels to acknowledge major festivals celebrated by communities residing in the state. Himachal Pradesh hosts a significant migrant and settler population from Chhath-observing regions, making such outreach a gesture of cultural inclusion.
Indian state chief ministers routinely issue public greetings for festivals like Chhath Puja to signal recognition of diverse traditions within their constituencies — a practice that underlines the pluralist fabric of governance across states.
Point of View
Serving a dual purpose: cultural acknowledgment and electoral goodwill with specific communities. For CM Sukhu, extending Chhath Puja wishes signals inclusivity toward communities from Bihar and eastern UP who have settled in Himachal Pradesh — a demographic that matters in close contests. It also fits a broader Congress strategy of soft cultural outreach ahead of any future electoral cycle. The gesture is ceremonial in form, but its political undercurrent is unmistakable.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chhath Puja and why is it celebrated?
Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, observed over four days through fasting, ritual bathing, and offering water oblations to the rising and setting sun. It is especially significant for communities from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Who is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu?
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, representing the Indian National Congress. He assumed office in December 2022.
Why did the HP CM wish for Chhath Puja?
Chief Minister Sukhu extended Chhath Puja greetings to acknowledge the festival celebrated by communities residing in Himachal Pradesh, praying for their happiness, good health, and prosperity.
When was the Chhath Puja 2026 greeting posted?
The greeting was posted on Sunday, November 15, 2026 , at 9:38 AM IST via the official Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh account on X.
Does Himachal Pradesh observe Chhath Puja?
While Chhath Puja is not a traditional festival of Himachal Pradesh, migrant and settler communities from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh residing in the state observe it, prompting the state government to extend official greetings.
