The Ayurvedic Link Between Mustard Oil and Chhath Puja

When the first light of dawn touches the ghats and the river glistens like liquid gold, every offering, every diya, every aroma in the air becomes part of one shared prayer — a prayer for gratitude, renewal, and health. That’s the spirit of Chhath Puja — and at its heart lies the same golden essence that ties food, ritual, and wellness together: mustard oil.

A Festival Rooted in Purity

Chhath Puja isn’t just a festival — it’s a cleansing ritual, both physical and spiritual. The four days of fasting, minimalism, and devotion mirror the Ayurvedic principles of shuddhi (purification) and sanyam (discipline). Everything that touches the arghya or the prasad is chosen with intention — pure, simple, and unprocessed.

That’s why mustard oil has always held a sacred place in the Chhath kitchen. It’s one of nature’s purest oils — cold-pressed, unrefined, and loaded with vitality. Every diya lit in mustard oil, every thekua fried in its golden warmth, becomes a symbol of clarity and sincerity in worship.

The Ayurvedic Connection

Ayurveda celebrates mustard oil as Sarson Taila — warming, detoxifying, and full of tejas (inner radiance). Its natural heat balances vata and kapha, improving circulation and metabolism — perfectly aligning with Chhath Puja’s focus on fasting and cleansing.

Used externally in abhyanga (oil massage) or internally in cooking, mustard oil helps the body release toxins and restore balance. No wonder generations have turned to it during auspicious times — when the body and mind both prepare for renewal.

From the Diya to the Thali - Mustard Oil

From dawn to dusk, mustard oil accompanies every sacred act of Chhath.

• In the diya, it burns steady and pure, symbolizing the light of devotion.

• In the prasad, it lends a subtle warmth and aroma to kaddu bhaji, pooris, and thekua.

• In wellness, it nourishes and strengthens — connecting ancient Ayurvedic wisdom to modern health.

Each drop becomes an offering — not just to Surya Dev, but to the idea of balance between nature and nurture.

A Golden Tradition That Lives On

As families gather on the ghats this Chhath, the golden light of mustard oil diyas will once again mirror the rising sun — steady, pure, and full of life. And in that glow lives the true spirit of the festival: purity in devotion, purity in food, and purity in heart.