Kharna – the sacred second day of Chhath Puja. Also known as Lohanda in some regions, Kharna is one of the most significant and spiritually charged days of the four-day festival. It symbolizes deep purification, discipline, and divine gratitude.
This is the day when devotees prepare for the 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without food or water) that follows. From sunrise to sunset, vratis (devotees) maintain utmost purity, prepare the sacred prasad, and offer prayers to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev.
If you’re observing Kharna this year, here’s your complete guide to Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam, rituals, timings, and significance.
What is Kharna in Chhath Puja?
Kharna falls on Kartik Shukla Panchami, the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Kartik. It comes right after Nahay Khay and two days before the grand Sandhya Arghya at the river ghats.
The term Kharna is derived from the act of preparing gur ki kheer (sweet rice pudding made with jaggery), which is the central prasad of the day. Devotees fast all day, refraining from both food and water, and only after sunset do they break their fast with this prasad. This marks the beginning of the intense 36-hour nirjala vrat.
- Sunrise: ~6:28 AM
- Sunset: ~5:42 PM
(Timings are approximate; please verify with your local panchang.)
Also Read: Chhath Ghat Decoration and How to Design Ghat ?
Spiritual Significance of Kharna
Kharna is more than ritual—it’s a sacred journey of cleansing and surrender.
- Purification of Body & Soul: The nirjala fast purifies the body, mind, and spirit.
- Gratitude to Nature: Offerings to the setting sun symbolize thanks to Surya Dev for life, health, and abundance.
- Blessings of Chhathi Maiya: Observing Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam with devotion is believed to bring:
- Long life and health for children
- Family prosperity and harmony
- Fulfillment of wishes
According to legend, even Draupadi and the Pandavas performed such fasts for divine blessings, reinforcing Kharna’s deep spiritual roots.
Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam: Rules, Do’s & Don’ts
Purity (shuddhi) is the foundation of Kharna. The Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam ensure complete sanctity of mind, body, and surroundings.
Do’s (Must Follow)
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Nirjala Vrat | No food or water from sunrise to sunset. |
| Morning Bath | Take a holy bath in river or with Ganga Jal. |
| Clean Puja Area | Purify space using fresh soil or cow dung. |
| Earthen Stove Only | Cook prasad on clay chulha using wood, not gas. |
| Sattvic Ingredients | Use jaggery, rice, milk, ghee, whole wheat—nothing processed. |
| Charity | Offer food or alms to the needy. |
| Simple Attire | Wear clean, plain cotton clothes; women prefer unstitched saree. |
| Mantra Chanting | Recite “Om Ghrini Suryaya Namah” or Chhath geets. |
Don’ts (Strictly Avoid)
| Prohibited | Reason |
|---|---|
| Onion, Garlic, Non-Veg | Tamasic foods break purity. |
| White Sugar | Only jaggery (gur) is allowed. |
| Metal Utensils for Prasad | Use bamboo, clay, or brass only. |
| Cutting Hair/Nails | Considered impure during vrat. |
| Anger or Gossip | Disrupts spiritual energy. |
| Sleeping During Day | Stay alert in prayer and devotion. |
| Discarding Prasad | Share with family, neighbors, and animals. |
Pro Tip: Place a small Tulsi leaf near the prasad to enhance sanctity.
Time needed: 12 hours
Step-by-Step Kharna Puja Vidhi
- Morning Ritual
Wake up early, bathe, and clean the house.
Set up an altar with Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya’s images.
Arrange puja samagri: diya, flowers, fruits, incense, bamboo soop. - Afternoon: Prepare Prasad
Gur Ki Kheer Recipe
Rice – 1 cup
Milk – 1.5 liters
Jaggery – 200 g
Cardamom, Ghee
Cook on a clay stove. Add jaggery only after cooling slightly. Prepare rotis or pooris in ghee. - Breaking the Fast
Vrati eats first, followed by family and neighbors.
No salt is consumed after the fast is broken.
After Kharna: The 36-Hour Nirjala Fast
After eating prasad, the devotee begins a 36-hour fast without food or water until the Usha Arghya. Silence, simplicity, and focus on devotion are maintained throughout.
Final Prayer for Kharna
“हे छठी मइया, सूर्य देव,
हमरा संतान के दीर्घायु द,
परिवार में सुख-शांति बरसाव,
पाप नष्ट करीं, भक्ति बढ़ाव।
जय छठी मइया!”
FAQs
The primary Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam is to observe a nirjala fast (no food or water) from sunrise to sunset and break it only after offering prasad at dusk.
No, as per Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam, prasad must be cooked on an earthen stove using wood or cow-dung cakes to maintain purity.
Jaggery (gur) is considered pure and sattvic, symbolizing natural sweetness and divine energy.
Both men and women can observe the vrat, though traditionally it is performed by married women for the well-being of their families.
After Kharna, devotees begin the 36-hour nirjala fast, maintaining silence, purity, and deep devotion until Usha Arghya.
Conclusion
Kharna is a sacred preparation for divine connection through discipline and gratitude. Following the Chhath Puja Kharna Niyam with faith invites blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev for prosperity, health, and peace.
As you observe Kharna this year, may your devotion shine like the evening sun and your home be filled with purity and light.