Chhath Vrat — What to Do and What Not to Do

Do

• Keep the house and kitchen spotless; many families use a separate stove and new utensils for prasad.
• Eat only satvik food from Nahay Khay — no onion, garlic or non-vegetarian food in the house.
• Use rock salt (sendha namak) on Nahay Khay; no salt after Kharna.
• Sleep on the floor and keep the mind calm and devotional.
• Help the vrati — carry the daura, prepare fruit, keep the ghat clean.

Don't

• Don't taste the prasad before it is offered.
• Don't touch prasad items without washing your hands.
• Don't use leftover or stale ingredients.
• Don't pollute the water body — take back plastic and leftovers.

Health first

The 36-hour nirjala fast is demanding. Elderly, pregnant or unwell devotees should speak to a doctor; families often share the fast so that no one is put at risk.

The four days at a glance

• Day 1 — Nahay Khay: holy bath, clean house, one satvik meal (lauki-chana dal and rice)
• Day 2 — Kharna: fast by day; gur-kheer and roti in the evening; then the nirjala fast begins
• Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya: arghya to the setting sun at the ghat
• Day 4 — Usha Arghya: arghya to the rising sun; parana (breaking the fast)

For the family

Even those not fasting usually avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food in the house for the four days, sleep simply, and help with preparations. Cleanliness extends to the ghat — families clean the bank and decorate it with rangoli and banana stems.

Breaking the fast safely

After 36 hours without water, break the fast gently: a little water, then ginger with jaggery, fruit and thekua, and a light meal later. Rushing to eat a heavy meal can upset the stomach.

Respecting the environment

Use eco-friendly diyas and avoid plastic, take back offerings that can't go into the water, and follow local rules at city lakes — many municipalities now provide artificial ponds to protect water bodies.