The great festival will start with Nahay-Khay, do not make these mistakes even by mistake:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Preparations for Chhath Puja, the great festival of folk faith, have started. This festival is not just a fast, but a symbol of unwavering faith and belief in nature and the Sun God. This difficult fast, which lasts for four days, begins with the tradition of ‘Nahay-Khay’. This year Nahay-Khay is on 26 October 2025, Sunday.

This day lays the foundation of fasting, hence it is considered very important to follow the rules on this day. Let us know what things the devotees should take special care of on the day of Nahay-Khay.

What is the importance of Nahay-Khay?

‘Nahay-Khay’ means ‘eating after taking bath’. From this day itself, the fasting person and his entire family start following the rules of Satvikta. This is the first step in self-purification and preparing yourself for the fast. On this day, devotees take bath in a holy river, pond or at home by pouring Ganga water and consume anything only after worshiping the Sun God.

What to do at Nahay-Khay? (Do’s)

• Holy Bath: Start the day with a bath in a holy river. If this is not possible then take bath at home by mixing Ganga water in the bath water.
• Clean clothes: After bathing, wear only clean and washed clothes. Many people also wear new clothes on this day.
• Arghya to the Sun: After bathing, do not forget to offer water to the Sun God.
• Satvik Food: The food on this day is prepared in a very satvik and pure manner. In this, mainly Arwa rice (raw rice), gram dal and pumpkin (gourd) vegetable is prepared.
• Rules for preparing food: Cooking food in brass or earthen utensils is considered auspicious. Also, it is best to make it on mango wood or stove.
• Use of rock salt: On this day, rock salt is used in the food instead of ordinary salt.
• Have fasting food first: The fasting person is the first to eat food at home, only after that other members of the family accept the same food as Prasad.

What not to do while bathing? (Don’ts)

• Distance from Tamasic food: From this day onwards, cooking garlic, onion or any kind of Tamasic food at home is completely prohibited.
• Avoid lies and anger: The fasting person should not lie to anyone on this day nor should he get angry at anyone. It is very important to keep the mind calm and pure.
• Do not sleep on the bed: From the day of Nahay-Khay, the fasting person should sleep on a mat spread on the ground.
• Avoid impurities: Take special care of cleanliness in the house and avoid any kind of impurity.

The day of Nahay-Khay is the soul of Chhath festival. The discipline and purity of this day provides strength to the devotee for the difficult fast of the next three days.