{
  "id": 20123506,
  "title": "Chhath Puja 2026: Why Sugarcane Holds Special Significance In Worshipping Surya Dev And Chhathi Maiya",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/chhath-puja-2026-why-sugarcane-holds-special-significance-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T05:20:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/chhath-puja-2026-why-sugarcane-holds-special-significance-in-worshipping-surya-dev-and-chhathi-maiya"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chhath Puja, a significant Hindu festival, is celebrated annually by devotees offering prayers to Sun God Surya Dev and his consort Chhathi Maiya. The third day of the celebration, which has already taken place, holds deep spiritual importance, especially for the role of a humble plant - sugarcane.\n\nSugarcane, with its lush green stalks, represents the essence of Earth's abundance and nourishment. It is considered a symbol of purity, sweetness, and the sweetness of life, making it a fitting offering to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The tall, jointed stalks of sugarcane signify growth, resilience, and unity, reflecting the values of family and community.\n\nThis revered plant is offered during the Sandhya Arghya, a ritual performed in the evening on the third day of Chhath Puja, when devotees present water and prayers to the setting sun. In some traditions, two sugarcane stalks are intertwined in a symbolic arch above the prasad and diyas, signifying the divine connection between heaven and Earth, illustrating the bond between humanity and the cosmic energy of the Sun.\n\nApart from its spiritual significance, sugarcane also provides a much-needed energy boost during the waterless fast observed by Chhath Puja devotees. The juice extracted from the plant's stalks is revered for its natural sweetness and nourishment, offering sustenance to those observing the sacred customs.",
  "summary": "Chhath is an auspicious festival celebrated by devotees through prayers and the observance of a waterless fast. Today, devotees are celebrating the third day of the festival. But have you ever observed that sugarcane holds special significance in the worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, especially during Chhath Puja? This is because it represents nature’s abundance, nourishment, purity, and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}