Yamuna Chhath 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Devotees of Goddess Yamuna: Families, especially in the Braj region, worship Mata Yamuna on this day to seek her blessings for purity, peace, and well-being.
• Devotees of Lord Krishna: Followers of Shri Krishna honour Yamuna as his beloved river and as Kalindi, praying for his grace and for devotion in life.
• Brothers and Sisters: Families pray to Mata Yamuna, the sister of Yama, for the long life and protection of loved ones and freedom from the fear of untimely death.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath and Sankalp: After waking in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn period), bathe early, ideally in the river, and take the vow.
• Puja Muhurat: The Yamuna puja is done in the morning, after sunrise. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Aarti: Many devotees light lamps and sing the Yamuna Aarti at dusk, especially on the riverbank.

About the Festival

Yamuna Chhath is a much-loved observance of the Braj region and North India, in which devotees worship Mata Yamuna, the sacred river and daughter of the Sun. It takes place on the Shashthi (sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra.

The Katha (The Story Behind Yamuna Chhath)

Mata Yamuna is the sacred river of the Braj land and, in the Puranic tradition, the daughter of Surya, the Sun God, and his wife Sanjna. She is the sister of Yama, the lord of dharma and death, and is also known as Kalindi, because she is said to have descended to the earth from Mount Kalindi.

Yamuna Chhath, on the Shashthi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha, is kept as the day of Mata Yamuna's birth and descent, and is also called Yamuna Jayanti. Devotees honour her as the beloved river of Lord Krishna, who played on her banks in Gokul and Vrindavan, and many remember the tradition that Yama blessed those who bathe in her waters with freedom from the fear of death.

On this day devotees bathe in the Yamuna or remember her while bathing at home, worship her with flowers, lamps and sweets, and recite her hymns, such as the Yamunashtakam of Shri Vallabhacharya. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the ghats are filled with prayers, lamps and the singing of her praise.

Since ancient times, families have kept this day to give thanks for the river that nourishes the land and purifies the heart, and to seek her blessings for a pure, peaceful and fearless life. It is also a day to pledge to keep her waters clean.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Vessel: Picture of Mata Yamuna, or a small vessel of Yamuna water (or clean water with a few drops of Ganga Jal)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and incense sticks
• Offerings to the River: Flowers, Tulsi leaves, a red or yellow Chunari, and Diyas to float
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Peda, fruits, and other sweets, and Panchamrit
• Devotional Accessories: Sacred thread (kalava), betel leaves (paan), and a small vessel of clean water

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe in the Yamuna if you can, or at home with a few drops of Yamuna or Ganga Jal added to the water, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Yamuna, today I worship you with pure devotion. Bless me and my family with purity, peace, and freedom from fear."
3. Many devotees keep a simple fast or eat only sattvic food through the day (practice varies by family).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) or the eastern side of your puja room.
2. Place a picture of Mata Yamuna, or a vessel of water to represent her, on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
3. Place the Diya and incense in front of her. If you are at the riverbank, prepare your offerings at the water's edge.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense before Mata Yamuna.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Chandan, and Akshat to the picture or the vessel.
3. Offering Flowers & Chunari: Offer fresh flowers, Tulsi leaves, and the Chunari, and tie a piece of Kalava (red thread) on the vessel.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place the Peda, fruits, and sweets before the Mother.

Step 4: Reciting the Story and Hymns

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully and recite or listen to the story of Yama and Yamuna, and the Yamunashtakam (a hymn in praise of Yamuna) if you know it.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the held grains and petals at the feet of the Mother.

Step 5: Aarti and Offerings to the River

1. Perform the Yamuna Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. If you are at the riverbank, float the flowers and lit Diyas gently on the water, praying for the well-being of your family.
3. Pray for the purity of the river and for the strength to keep it clean.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the sweet prasad among your family members and neighbours.
3. Conclude the day by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.