Nhay Khay 2025: Date, Rituals And Significance

Chhath Puja is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The festival celebrates Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his wife, Usha. It begins with Nahay Khay, marking the start of the four-day celebration and setting the tone for the rituals.

In 2025, Chhath Puja is on October 25th. Let’s dive into the date, rituals, and preparation in detail.

Nahay Khay 2025 Date and Timing

Here are the key details on dates and timings for Nahay Khay Muhurat on 25th October 2025, kicking off Chhath Puja celebrations.

Event	Details
Date	25th October 2025
Day	Saturday
Tithi	Kartik Shukla Chaturthi (Fourth day after Diwali)
Timing	The day begins early in the morning with a purification bath and extends through to the evening.
Sunrise	06:28 AM
Sunset	05:42 PM
Key Fact	Nahay Khay marks the first day of Chhath Puja. Vrati bathes in a river, pond, or at home before starting a strict 36-hour fast, with no food or water.

Nahay Khay Rituals: A Step-by-Step Vrat Vidhi

The rituals of Nahay Khay focus on physical and spiritual cleansing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform the rituals:

• Purification Bath: The First and most important step is to cleanse your body and soul. This day begins with a holy dip in a sacred river or pond. This bath symbolizes the removal of impurities, both spiritually and physically. Vratis also brings Gangajal (holy water) for purification at home.

• Home Cleansing: After returning home, it's time for a deep cleaning. Every corner, especially the kitchen or any cooking area, is cleaned and purified. This sets the tone for a sacred vibe, prepping the space for all the fasting, cooking, and spiritual energy that follows.

• The Satvik Sankalp: The Vrati (devotee) takes a mental vow (Sankalp) to stay committed to the fast with devotion and purity. This vow helps maintain discipline, focus, and spiritual vibe throughout the festival.

• Preparing the Meal: Nahay Khay food sets the vibe for the fast. It is a pure Satvik meal made with clean, no-junk, clean-vibe ingredients. Here's a quick look at the entire process:

  • Utensils: The cooking must be done in spiritually resonant metals, like new or purified earthen/bronze utensils.
  • Ingredients: The food should be free from onion, garlic, and chemical preservatives. That means it should be Satvik, simple yet rich in meaning.

• Key Dishes:

  • Kaddu-Bhat: Pumpkin or Bottle Gourd and Rice are the dish of the day!
  • Chana Dal: Adding to the simplicity of the meal, this lentil dish is cooked with minimal spices.

Once the food is ready, the Vrati consumes this meal first, marking the start of their fast. The rest of the family can eat afterward.

The Significance of the Nahay Khay Prasad

The Kuddu-Bhat (Lauki/Kaddu ki Sabzi aur Chawal) is beyond just a food of the day! It symbolizes detoxification and purity. Check out How!

• Detoxification: To begin the 36-hour Nirjala Vrat, devotees need to detoxify their bodies. Hence, the Pumpkin / Bottle Gourd plays an important role.
• Purity: Since the food made is satvik and pure, it helps the vratis prepare themselves for the upcoming days of fasting.

Traditional Cooking Methods

In many homes, the food is cooked on a clay stove (chulha) using mango wood as fuel. This traditional method adds another layer of sacredness to the cooking process, ensuring that it is spiritually in tune with the festival’s energy.

Spiritual Significance of Nahay Khay

Day 1 of Chhath Puja: Beyond Just a Bath

The first day of Chhath Puja, known as Nahay Khay is more than just a bath, this ritual marks a complete reset for the body, mind, and soul.

• Physical Detox: This day begins with a period of self-purification and detoxification. The bath and meal cleanse the body, preparing Vrati for the physical and mental challenges of the Nirjala Vrat.
• Mental Purity: It is said in many Hindu scriptures, 'You become what you eat.' This is why the meal plays a crucial role, as it supports discipline, self-restraint, and truthfulness, helping to purify the mind.
• Divine Blessings: The ritual bath is believed to cleanse the body of sins and ailments while inviting blessings of health and prosperity. It is a powerful act of renewal that uplifts the devotee in body, mind, and spirit.

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This is why Nahay Khay is the sacred gateway to Chhath Puja, filled with purification rituals, symbolic food, and deep spiritual significance. Whether you’re a devotee or someone simply interested in understanding this important tradition, following these rituals with sincerity will help you experience the full depth of Chhath Puja’s blessings.

With Nahay Khay 2025 happening on October 25th, it’s the perfect time to start preparing for this auspicious day!