Nahai Khai (Nahay-Khay) marks the beginning of the four-day Chhath festival. The most important event on this day is preparing food on freshly prepared ovens after taking a dip in Ganga . Nahai Khai 2025 date is October 25. The preparation is known as Lauki Bhat. Chhath festival, also known as Surya Shashti, symbolically involves spiritual and physical purification.
The main food cooked on the Nahai Khai day is rice, chana dal, and green gourd (lauki). Lauki is an important preparation on the day and therefore the cooking is also referred as Lauki Bhat.
The ritual of nahai-khai is followed by kharna – a day of fasting. On the next two days, ‘arghya’ (offerings) is done to the Sun God.
On this day, it is very important to prepare and eat a pure meal consisting of rice, chana dal (Bengal gram lentils), and bitter gourd, following proper rituals. This simple and sanctified meal must be eaten before beginning the fast.