24th October 2025, Kathmandu
The air in the Mithilanchal region of Nepal is already thick with devotion and excitement. Following the vibrant conclusion of Tihar (Deepawali), the focus has immediately shifted to one of the most profound and major religious festivals in the country: Chhath Parva.
Nepal’s Chhath Festival 2025
Villages and cities across the Terai-Madhesh region are transforming into a spectacle of faith and celebration to welcome the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Bhagwan) and Chhathi Mata.
The Great Clean-Up: Revitalizing Sacred Water Bodies
A core element of the Chhath festival is its deep connection to nature, particularly water. The preparatory phase is marked by an intense, community-led effort to sanctify and beautify the numerous water bodies—ponds, lakes, and riverbanks (known as ghats)—that will host the rituals.
Across Mithila, the preparation is in full swing
Ghat Restoration: Potholes are being filled, and pathways leading to the water are being repaired for the convenience of devotees.
Vibrant Decoration: Lighting, electric streamers, and elaborate decorations are being installed, turning simple riverbanks into dazzling venues for worship.
Pandal Construction: Temporary bamboo-and-cloth marquees (pandals) are rapidly being constructed across various districts, ensuring the atmosphere is both spiritual and celebratory.
This collective effort underscores the spirit of dedication, community harmony, and rigorous purity that defines this ancient tradition.
The Significance of Chhath Parva
The Chhath festival is revered in the Terai-Madhesh as a festival of immense faith, purity, and rigorous devotion. It is the only major Hindu festival where the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya) are worshipped in succession.
Observed over four days, devotees, known as vratis, undertake a series of challenging rituals, including strict fasting (sometimes even abstaining from water for up to 36 hours), to pray for the longevity, health, prosperity, and well-being of their family and children.
The elaborate preparations now underway, from meticulously cleaning home courtyards to illuminating the public waterways, reflect the deep-seated cultural importance of this festival, which has also become a powerful symbol of communal unity and social harmony in Nepal.
For more: Nepal’s Chhath Festival 2025