Among the spiritual occasions among the Indian community and people across the world, none is more sacred than Chhath Puja, which calls upon the worship of both Surya and his most faithful wife, Chhathi Maiya. What also happens during this festival to an extent is the fruitful items and other natural sources being offered to the holy person, which represent only pure and prosperous items for humanity. If you are staying in the USA, getting some of these fruits as used in the Chhath Puja tradition may give a more authentic look to your celebrations and connect you to your roots.

Here is the list of important fruits for preparation in Chhath Puja:

Importance of Fruits in Chhath Puja:

During Chhath Puja, devotees offer a variety of fresh fruits as a gesture of thanksgiving and seeking blessings from Surya and Chhathi Maiya. Fresh fruits are the embodiment of nature’s abundance, purity, and nourishment that the festival focuses on for health, wealth, and prosperity. The fruits are arranged in bamboo baskets representing a wholesome offering of earth’s bounty.

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date, Time, and Significance for Indian Communities

Some necessary fruits for Chhath Puja

Banana

Bananas are considered auspicious and part of the Chhath Puja offering. Accessible and very symbolic in their representation, they convey prosperity and fertility. To get bananas in the USA, you can visit grocery stores and markets.

Coconuts

As part of Hindu rituals, coconuts are one of the most important fruits offered during Chhath Puja. Pure and with husk intact, it is fine to keep them with the husk on. Indian grocery stores in the USA have fresh coconuts in their inventory during festival seasons.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is used in worship for Chhath Puja as an embodiment of sweetness and prosperity. As a rule, it can be offered only in a raw, unprocessed way. In the USA, sugarcane may at times be seen in certain specialty grocery stores, or at least stores with specialty Asian or Caribbean products sections.

Apple

Apples are widely available in America and are regularly added to the Chhath Puja basket. Apples, being of the vibrant red color, signify energizing and commitment to one’s deity; hence apples become a beautiful addition as well.

Pomegranate

This fruit is the symbol of abundance and fertility. So, these fruits are a must in any type of Chhath Puja offering. In the United States, these fruit easily available in stores; people can get them throughout the autumn season.

Orange

The orange fruit is symbolically related with good health; people include oranges in any type of Chhath Puja basket. With this fruit, oranges present the color and diversity on the offerings. It easily available in most of supermarkets in USA.

Mosambi or Sweet Lime

Mosambi or sweet lime is traditional for Chhath Puja, which represents optimism and sweetness in life. This fruit might not readily be found in most US supermarkets, but can probably be found in Indian or South Asian grocery stores.

Grapes

Gruits of joy and prosperity hence make them perfect as a donation towards the God in Chhath Puja. Tiny round-shaped fruits which may have their sweet variety both in terms of taste and texture with the fruit basket, widely available in U.S. Pineapple
The Tropical Fruit Pineapple is a representation of hospitality and prosperity. An added uniqueness to Chhath Puja through some flavor added to it has given texture it, which comes mostly from supermarkets available in the United States.

Papaya

Papaya, being a healthy fruit and also a symbol of prosperity and harmony, is found in Chhath Puja. Typically, you can get the fruit in larger supermarkets and specialty stores in most cities.

How to Prepare Your Fruit Basket for Chhath Puja in the USA

You will find it very difficult to get old bamboo baskets here in the USA, where you can carry any type of handmade natural fiber basket according to the ritual; 
Buying Fruits from Vegetables Store Fresh fruits always try to shop a couple of days ahead of Pooja date.
Substitutes at the Local Level: If you cannot find any specific fruit, then local fruit with similar texture and color can be used; however, remember the purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chhath Puja Fruits

Chhath Puja in the USA can be a bit of a challenge, especially in getting some of the traditional items such as bamboo baskets and some fruits. The spirit of the festival can be well preserved by sourcing the required fruits and making an offering that reflects your love and respect for this precious tradition. You could continue to connect with your heritage while celebrating with your community in the USA by including bananas, coconuts, and sugarcane in your Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja is an important festival especially dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, mainly in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. This festival holds a significant place in Indian communities in the USA and connects them with their roots. Chhath Puja in America gives Indian communities a small taste of their homeland while staying abroad. In 2024, Chhath Puja will be performed on 7th and 8th November. On both days, the devotees will observe several rituals: fasting, giving “Arghya” to the Sun God, and asking for prosperity and family’s well-being.

Chhath Puja 2024 USA: Date and Time

In USA, the Sun rising and setting time will be calculated to perform the rituals at those times. The list of dates and times is as follows

Day 1: Nahay Khay- November 5, 2024
Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna- November 6, 2024
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya- November 7, 2024
Sunset time for Sandhya Arghya: around 4:52 PM. The sunset time varies with the city.
Day 4: Usha Arghya- November 8, 2024
Sunrise Time for Usha Arghya: About 6:35 AM (according to the city)

Importance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is special because it symbolizes purity and simplicity with respect to Mother Nature. During the celebration, one looks to thank the Sun God Surya for giving them life and wishes their family health, well-being, and prosperity. It is in the worship rituals of Chhath Puja that one looks for protection from and happiness through the goddess Chhathi Maiya whom people believe in, protects children, and brings happy families.

For most Indians, remembering the same in the United States makes Chhath Puja remember to enrich cultural heritage through the bond of memories with family and friends.

This tradition of being a human connection in regards to gratitude that involves nature and transcended boundaries can be said as under:

Some Major Traditions and Practices Followed During Chhath Puja

Day 1: Nahay Khay

It begins with Nahay Khay, where the devotees bathe and cook sattvic (pure) food. This marks the beginning of their fast. The simple food is mainly rice, pumpkin curry, and chana dal, which are pure.

Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2):

On the second day, devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after sunset with “kharna prasad” (sattvic food). Traditional foods include rice pudding and roti made with jaggery, meaning devotion and patience.

Sandhya Arghya: Day 3

This is the main day of Chhath Puja, in which devotees gather by rivers or water bodies in the evening to offer prayers and “Arghya” to the setting sun. It is a beautiful ritual where devotees stand in water, holding offerings like fruits, thekua, which is a traditional sweet, and other symbolic items in bamboo baskets. For Indians in the USA, communities gather at lakes, rivers, or even ponds to conduct this ritual.

Usha Arghya (Day 4)

On the last day of Chhath Puja, devotees present their prayers to the increasing sun. This marks the end of the fasting schedule and is almost like hope, new horizons, and divine goodwill.

Chhath Puja in USA

For Indian groups in the USA, there are often gatherings near a river, lake, or a community center that might permit the gathering. So many temples and cultural events plan Chhath Puja gatherings where devotees may perform rituals together at those places.

Places Where Chhath Puja Gatherings Are Held,

California: There are gathering points near water bodies here both in Los Angeles as well as in the Bay Area.
New York: The Hudson River and community ponds are congregation sites for New York’s Indian population.
Chicago: Groups come together near Lake Michigan or local rivers.
Houston: Local temples and societies commonly conduct Chhath Puja for the devotees.

Food and Prasad in Chhath Puja

The food during Chhath Puja is purely vegetarian and can be prepared salt-free, garlic-free, and onions-free. The most common prasad are:
Thekua: A traditional sweet made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
Rice Pudding (Kheer): Rice, milk, and sugar, which means purity and dedication.
Fruits: Banana, coconut, and sugarcane, which are used as an offering.
All these things are offered in bamboo baskets to Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

FAQs about Chhath Puja 2024 in the USA

Chhath Puja time is to rejuvenate Indians in USA to their cultures and spiritual lives. In the midst of a country of great diversity, one can’t help but talk about this festival of pureness, and devotion, where all remember the bond they share with tradition and society, transcending the geography, when families and friends together offer Arghya. The blessings of the Sun God infuse every aspect and bring divine delight among all.

Bhai Dooj is the final day of the five-day-long celebration Diwali for a bond between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the day following the second new moon in Kartik of the Hindu calendar. To the Indians residing in the USA, Bhai Dooj serves as the medium through which people relate back to the family as well as the culture with all of them at the native place.

Bhai Dooj 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 2nd. This post explains the traditions, rituals, and ways to celebrate Bhai Dooj in the USA.

Bhai Dooj 2024 Date and Time in the USA

Bhai Dooj is usually accompanied by a tilak ceremony and prayers for the brothers’ long life and prosperity. Here are the dates and important times:

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2024
Aparahna Time Tilak Muhurat (Best Time for Tilak): 01:31 PM to 03:47 PM (Local Time in the USA)
Remember to always adjust this time to your local time zone so you can do all this at the best time.

Bhai Dooj Significance

Bhai Dooj is a festival where the bond between siblings finds its root in love, care, and protection. According to belief, on this day, Yamraj, the god of death, came to his sister Yamuna. Yamuna welcomed him with a tilak and prayers for her brother’s good health. Yamraj was so touched by her love that he vowed to protect her and wished her prosperity. This indicates the commitment of sisters offering prayers for the safety and happiness of their brothers.

How to Celebrate Bhai Dooj in the USA

Even though living afar from India may make things feel somewhat different, the beautiful celebration of Bhai Dooj can surely be done with some adaptation. Here’s how to make it memorable:

1. Virtual Tilak Ceremony
   If your brother is far-off, connect virtually through video calls for tilak ceremony. You may place a tilak on your screen or just say a prayer and wish for the good well-being of each other.
2. Prepare Special Bhai Dooj Sweets
   Celebrate with traditional Indian sweets like barfi, laddus, or even kheer if you can prepare at home. Many Indian stores in the USA also offer sweets around Diwali, so you can find something delicious to share with your family.
3. Gift Exchange and Personal Notes
   Surprise your sibling with a thoughtful gift or a personalized note to celebrate the love and appreciation of your sibling. Some popular gift ideas are clothing, accessories or books, written according to their interest.
4. Donate Together
   In many families, Bhai Dooj is an opportunity for donating towards a cause. If you live in the USA, make a donation together with your sibling, or donate to a charity that is meaningful to the two of you.
5. Host a Family Get-Together or Party
   If you have family members or friends staying nearby, get them to celebrate with you. It’s a fantastic way to introduce Indian culture to others, and celebrations with family members make the day even more memorable.

Sincere Bhai Dooj Messages for 2024

Here are some sweet Bhai Dooj messages that you can send to your siblings:

“Happy Bhai Dooj 2024! May our bond be as strong as ever, and may happiness and prosperity follow you always.”
“Wishing my dear brother a joyous Bhai Dooj. May your life be full of blessings, love, and success.”
“To my lovely sister, Happy Bhai Dooj! Thank you for always being there. May this year bring you peace and prosperity.”
“Though we’re miles apart, our bond is as close as ever. Happy Bhai Dooj to my wonderful sibling!”
“Sending you lots of love and blessings on Bhai Dooj. May you always be happy, healthy, and safe.”

Bhai Dooj 2024 is a special day to celebrate the love and bonding of a sibling. Even though in America, Indian families get the chance to enjoy all the fun and happiness aspects of this festival by writing greeting cards, making homemade sweets, and gathering their near and dear ones over here to make this Diwali festival the joyous and memorable one with which it has always delighted India.

FAQs About Bhai Dooj 2024 for Indians in the USA