President Murmu Extends Greetings on Chhath Puja 2025

President Droupadi Murmu Sends Warm Wishes on Chhath Puja, Highlights Bond Between Nature and Faith

As millions of worshippers across India come together for Chhath Puja, President Droupadi Murmu sent her sincere greetings, highlighting the themes of gratitude, purity, and nature.

In her message to the public, the president said that “[Chhath Puja] is not merely a festival but a philosophical representation of India’s deep-rooted connection with nature. The four-day long festival, which is celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Delhi, is essentially a celebration of the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya—representing energy, life, and well-being.”

Moreover, the President noted that the act of ‘Arghya’ that is presented—when devotees associate water and prayers to the rising and setting sun—denotes gratitude to nature for sustaining life on earth. “During the festival, devotees express their gratitude to nature while worshiping rivers and ponds and pray for their families’ well-being,” she mentioned.

President Murmu also underscored that Chhath Puja distinguishes itself in other ways: discipline, purity, and devotion. Those who observe the fast, for 36 hours or more in some cases, abstain from food and water, accept the rules of cleanliness, and conduct rituals along bodies of water that usually involve family and community members. This community component, she said, encourages social cohesion and a sense of community.

Also, she stated that Chhath Puja, more than the spiritual focus, has an important environmental component. The rituals, whether it is cleaning debris and trash or asking people to prepare fresh water, teach the importance of cleaning their surroundings and respecting the elements that provide them with sustainability for life. In this context, the spirit of Chhath Puja can inspire reminders of sustainable living and environmental conservationism in the modern age.

In closing, President Murmu offered prayers for all citizens and their happiness, prosperity, and health. Amid preparation of the evening ‘Arghya’ offerings, families will light diyas along riverbanks and sing devotional songs in towns and villages, sending out warmth and positivity through their beliefs, families, and the warmth of the sun.