Quick answer: Chhath Puja 2026 is a four-day festival from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026. Nahay Khay is on 13 November, Kharna on 14 November, the evening Sandhya Arghya to the setting sun on Sunday, 15 November, and the morning Usha Arghya to the rising sun on Monday, 16 November, after which the vrat is broken.
Chhath is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, and is celebrated with deep devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Nepal's Terai region and by families from these regions all over the world. It is known for its strict purity rules and the 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast kept by the vratis. This guide is meant to help first-time vratis and their families prepare calmly.
Chhath Puja 2026 calendar
| Day | Date | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, 13 November | Nahay Khay – holy bath, cleaning the home, one sattvic meal of lauki (bottle gourd), chana dal and rice |
| Day 2 | Saturday, 14 November | Kharna (Lohanda) – day-long fast broken in the evening with gur kheer (rasiya) and roti; the 36-hour nirjala fast begins after this prasad |
| Day 3 | Sunday, 15 November | Sandhya Arghya – arghya to the setting sun while standing in water |
| Day 4 | Monday, 16 November | Usha Arghya and Parana – arghya to the rising sun, then the fast is broken |
How to find your arghya time
Arghya is offered at sunset on 15 November and at sunrise on 16 November, so the exact time depends on your city. Patna, for example, sees sunrise and sunset noticeably earlier than Delhi. Check your local sunrise and sunset time the day before, reach the ghat or your arghya spot at least 30–45 minutes early, and keep the soop (bamboo winnowing basket) ready before the sun touches the horizon.
Day-by-day guide
Day 1: Nahay Khay (13 November)
The vrati bathes in a river or pond, or at home with a few drops of Ganga jal in the water. The house and kitchen are cleaned thoroughly. One sattvic meal is cooked, traditionally on a clay chulha or a cleaned stove, without onion or garlic, and eaten by the vrati first.
Day 2: Kharna (14 November)
The vrati fasts through the day without water. In the evening, gur kheer and roti (or puri) are prepared as prasad, offered to Chhathi Maiya, and eaten by the vrati in silence. After this the 36-hour nirjala fast begins. Family and neighbours come to receive Kharna prasad.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (15 November)
Thekua, fruits and other offerings are arranged in the soop and daura. The family goes to the ghat in the afternoon. At sunset, the vrati stands in water and offers arghya of water or milk to the setting sun with the soop held in both hands. Songs of Chhathi Maiya are sung through the evening.
Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana (16 November)
Before dawn, the family returns to the ghat. The vrati offers arghya to the rising sun, prays for the family's wellbeing, and distributes prasad. The fast is broken with prasad, ginger and water.
Chhath Puja samagri checklist
- Bamboo soop and daura (baskets), and a brass or copper lota for arghya
- Thekua (wheat flour, jaggery and ghee), rice laddoo (kasar)
- Sugarcane with leaves, coconut with water, banana bunch
- Seasonal fruits: sweet lime (nimbu/gagal), sugarcane, singhara, sweet potato, radish, haldi and ginger plants with leaves
- Diya, ghee, incense, sindoor, rice, red cloth and new clothes for the vrati
- Milk and Ganga jal for arghya
Prepare a written checklist two days before Nahay Khay. Once the nirjala fast begins, the vrati should not have to worry about anything missing.
Health and safety tips for vratis
- The 36-hour nirjala fast is demanding. Elderly vratis, pregnant women and anyone with diabetes, heart or kidney conditions should consult a doctor before fasting.
- Ghats get very crowded. Keep children close, stand in shallow water only, and avoid slippery steps.
- November mornings are cold in North India. Carry a dry shawl and change of clothes for the vrati after the Usha Arghya.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is the main day of Chhath Puja 2026?
Sunday, 15 November (Sandhya Arghya) and Monday, 16 November (Usha Arghya) are the two main days.
Can Chhath be performed at home?
Yes. Many families now offer arghya on a terrace or in a small water tank at home, especially in cities without a ghat.
Why is the Sun worshipped on Chhath?
Surya Dev is worshipped as the visible god who sustains all life. Chhath is a prayer of gratitude for health, family and harvest. The 12 Mukhi Rudraksha and the Surya Grah Yantra locket are traditionally associated with Surya; read more in our 12 Mukhi Rudraksha guide.
Dates are based on published panchangs for India. Sunrise and sunset times vary by city, so confirm locally. Fasting information is general; please consult a doctor if you have a health condition.