When we think of Chhath Puja, the image that comes to mind is Sita Mata offering Arghya to the rising Sun after returning to Ayodhya. But long before that, another divine woman performed the same ritual, Draupadi, the queen of the Pandavas. Few know that during their exile, Draupadi observed Chhath Puja to invoke Surya Dev’s blessings for her husbands’ strength, victory, and justice. This lesser-known story connects the festival not just to the Ramayana, but also to the Mahabharata, deepening its spiritual roots across ages.

1. Exile and Despair: The Turning Point for Draupadi

Before Sita, It Was Draupadi Who First Performed Chhath Puja

The Pandavas’ exile was filled with pain, uncertainty, and hardship. Having lost their kingdom and wealth in a deceitful game of dice, they were left wandering in the forests with Draupadi. It was during these dark times that faith became their only source of light. Draupadi, burdened with the suffering of her family, sought a way to restore their lost honor and peace.

2. Sage Dhaumya’s Divine Counsel

Before Sita, It Was Draupadi Who First Performed Chhath Puja

According to ancient texts and oral traditions, Sage Dhaumya, the Pandavas’ spiritual guide, advised Draupadi to worship Surya Dev, the Sun God, through the rituals of Chhath Puja. The sage told her that sincere worship to the Sun would grant them energy, resilience, and ultimately, the divine help needed to regain their lost kingdom.

3. Draupadi’s Devotion to the Sun God

Before Sita, It Was Draupadi Who First Performed Chhath Puja

Following the sage’s advice, Draupadi observed a strict fast, stood in the river offering arghya (water) to the setting and rising Sun, and prayed for the strength of her family. Her penance symbolized selflessness and endurance, mirroring the cosmic balance of light and life. Through her devotion, Draupadi invoked the Sun God’s divine blessings not for herself, but for her husbands’ success and dharma.

4. The Blessing and the Miracle

Impressed by her devotion, Surya Dev blessed Draupadi with the Akshaya Patra , a miraculous vessel that provided endless food until Draupadi herself had eaten. This divine gift not only sustained the Pandavas during their exile but also became a symbol of abundance and divine favor. Her faith eventually led to the Pandavas’ victory and the restoration of their kingdom

5. Chhath Puja: A Ritual Beyond Time and Myth

Before Sita, It Was Draupadi Who First Performed Chhath Puja

Draupadi’s act of devotion is seen as one of the earliest instances of Chhath Puja, connecting the festival not only to gratitude but also to resilience, justice, and divine feminine strength. Her story reflects how faith, when combined with purpose and purity, can reshape destiny itself.

The First Chhath of Faith and Strength

Draupadi’s Chhath Puja was not just a ritual, it was a spiritual revolution born from pain, hope, and devotion. Her prayers to Surya Dev remind us that Chhath is more than a festival of light, it is a vow of courage, gratitude, and unwavering belief. Long before Sita, Draupadi’s faith illuminated the path of devotion that continues to shine through the ages.