The third day of the Chhath festival is called Chhath Sandhya Arghya and the main festival of this puja is celebrated on the this day where during surya arghya, also called the evening offerings, devotees take a dip in the holy water and worship sun and Chhathi Maiyya. When the sun is about to set they sing folk songs which basically tell tales of how in ancient times the sun saved their ancestors’ lives. The evening offering mostly consists of thekua (a dry sweet), coconut, and bananas which are placed on a bamboo plate and offered to the setting sun.
The last day of Chhath puja is called “Parna” (the day after Chhath). On this day all the devotees along with their friends and families arrive at the riverbank before sunrise and wait for the sun to rise so that they can make offerings to the rising sun. After this they end their 4 day long fast and exchange “prasad” with friends and family. A feast is prepared in order to celebrate the successful completion of the rituals. The devotees return home joyous, and hopeful that the sun will take care of their families and fulfil their wishes.
