a woman carrying a tray of food on her head

The festival is dedicated to worship Lord Surya (the Sun deity). "Chhathi Maiya" is the mother goddess who provides strength and support to the poor. She is worshipped as the "Goddess of the festival". The Sun is offered arghya (a special type of offering) in the evening of the first day and in the morning of the second day. The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vrata), standing in water for long periods, and offering prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun