Chhath Puja 2026: BJP's Nitin Nabin leads arghya rituals, calls it 'greatest worship of nature'
Synopsis
On the third day of Chhath Puja 2026, BJP Bihar President Nitin Nabin performed arghya rituals at his Patna residence and called the festival 'the greatest form of worship of nature.' With PM Modi also joining the well-wishes on X, the occasion highlights Chhath's growing national profile — rooted in Bihar but now celebrated wherever the diaspora lives.
Key Takeaways
BJP Bihar President Nitin Nabin performed Chhath Puja arghya rituals with family at his Patna residence on 15 November 2026 .
Nabin described Chhath as symbolising cleanliness, purity, sanctity, and discipline , calling it the greatest form of nature worship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on his official X account, praying for goodwill and harmony in society.
Devotees are observing a rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast , abstaining even from water, through the festival period.
The four-day festival concludes on Monday morning with the offering of arghya to the rising Sun.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar President Nitin Nabin on Sunday, 15 November extended greetings to Chhath devotees on the third day of the four-day festival, as thousands across India and abroad performed the ritual offering of arghya to the setting Sun. Nabin himself performed the Chhath rituals alongside his family at his residence in Patna.
What Nabin Said at the Ghats
Speaking to reporters in Patna after the evening rituals, Nabin described the significance of the occasion. 'We have offered prayers to Mother Earth and to Lord Bhaskar (the Sun God), to the setting sun. Tomorrow morning, with the rising of Lord Bhaskar, we will offer the second arghya (ritual offering),' he said.
He further emphasised the cultural roots of the festival. 'This is our tradition. We pay our respects both to the setting sun and to the rising sun. This great festival of faith is the tradition and culture of Bihar. Today it is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state as well as throughout the country. Also, wherever people from Bihar live around the world, they are celebrating it with equal fervour,' Nabin added.
Nature Worship at the Heart of Chhath
Nabin underscored the environmental and spiritual philosophy embedded in the festival. According to him, Chhath Puja symbolises cleanliness, purity, sanctity, and discipline — values that set it apart from other religious observances.
'There can hardly be a greater form of worship of nature than this. Bihar is among the leading states in worshipping nature through reverence for the Sun God and Mother Ganga. Today, we can proudly say that our culture, our customs, and our traditions fill us with a sense of pride and honour,' he asserted.
PM Modi Extends Wishes on X
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to the nation on the occasion, taking to his official X account. 'Heartfelt wishes to all fellow citizens for the evening offerings of the great festival of Chhath,' Modi wrote.
He added: 'May this sacred occasion, dedicated to the worship of nature, bring renewed awareness and vitality to everyone, and further strengthen goodwill and harmony in society. May the grace of the Sun God illuminate everyone's life. Glory to Mother Chhathi!'
Rituals, Fasting and Traditions
Devotees observing Chhath are undertaking a rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast — abstaining even from water — as part of their worship of Lord Surya. On Saturday, devotees performed the Kharna rituals and prepared traditional prasad, including rasiya, kheer, and puris, cooked on clay stoves fuelled by mango wood, keeping age-old customs intact.
The festival is set to conclude on Monday morning with the offering of arghya to the rising Sun, marking the completion of the four-day observance.
Point of View
And the optics of senior leaders performing rituals publicly are rarely accidental. Nabin's emphasis on Bihar's cultural pride — and the state's role as a pioneer in nature worship — lands at a time when the BJP is working to consolidate its base ahead of state-level electoral cycles. Modi's X post, reaching a national audience, signals the Centre's consistent effort to elevate Chhath from a regional observance to a pan-Indian cultural identity. The mainstreaming is genuine, but the political dividend is equally visible.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chhath Puja and why is it significant?
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God and Mother Ganga, observed primarily by people from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is considered one of the most rigorous religious observances, involving a 36-hour Nirjala fast and ritual offerings to both the setting and rising sun.
What did Nitin Nabin say about Chhath Puja 2026?
BJP Bihar President Nitin Nabin said Chhath Puja represents 'the greatest form of worship of nature,' highlighting its values of cleanliness, purity, sanctity, and discipline. He performed the arghya rituals with his family at his Patna residence on 15 November 2026.
Did PM Modi wish devotees on Chhath Puja 2026?
Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on his official X account on Sunday, 15 November 2026, praying that the occasion bring 'renewed awareness and vitality' and strengthen goodwill and harmony in society.
When does Chhath Puja 2026 end?
The four-day Chhath Puja festival concludes on Monday morning with the offering of arghya to the rising Sun, completing the cycle of rituals that began with Kharna on Saturday.
What rituals are performed during Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja involves a 36-hour Nirjala fast, Kharna rituals with traditional prasad including rasiya, kheer, and puris cooked on clay stoves with mango wood, and the offering of arghya to both the setting and rising Sun.
