Usha Arghya: Welcoming the Dawn
The fourth and final day of Chhath Puja is called Usha Arghya. Falling on the Saptami Tithi, this day brings the grueling 36-hour fast to a joyous and spiritual conclusion. It is a celebration of new beginnings, hope, and the life-giving power of the rising sun.
The Early Morning Gathering
Long before the first light of dawn, around 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM, families wake up and make their way back to the same riverbank or pond (Ghat) they visited the evening before. The atmosphere is serene yet electric, filled with the aroma of camphor, the glow of earthen diyas, and the melodious hum of Chhath Geet.
Offering to Usha (The First Light)
As the sky begins to lighten, the Vrati once again wades into the freezing water. Holding the Soop filled with the same sacred offerings: Thekua, fruits, and sugarcane: they face the east, awaiting the sunrise.
The moment the bright red orb of the sun pierces the horizon, the final offering, or Arghya, is made. Devotees pour milk and holy water over the offerings, praying to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for the prosperity, health, and happiness of their families. This offering honors Usha, the consort of Surya representing the first light.
Parana: Breaking the Fast
After the Arghya is complete, the Vrati steps out of the water. They worship the Chhathi Maiya idol or a symbolic mound made of clay at the Ghat. The most anticipated moment then arrives: the Parana (breaking of the fast).
The Vrati is given a piece of ginger and warm water, or sometimes a piece of the sacred jaggery and water, to safely break the 36-hour waterless fast. Following this, devotees seek the blessings of the Vrati by touching their feet, as the Vrati is considered immensely pure and god-like at this moment.
The grand festival concludes with the massive distribution of Prasad to everyone present at the Ghat and later in the neighborhoods, spreading joy and community harmony.
The original article text is preserved from the supplied Chhath Puja collection. Navigation, summaries, imagery and clearly labeled editorial notes were added for this edition.