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Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Vidhi & Four-Day Rituals
July 18, 2026
Understanding the Chhath Puja date and vidhi is essential for the millions of devotees who observe this ancient festival dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Chhath Puja 2026 is observed from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026, with the main Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) on Sunday, 15 November and the Usha Arghya (morning offering) on Monday, 16 November. Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, Chhath is a festival of gratitude, purity and unwavering faith.
Chhath Puja 2026 Date and Four-Day Schedule
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival beginning on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. Here is the day-wise schedule for Chhath Puja 2026.
| Day | Date | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 – Nahay Khay | Friday, 13 November 2026 | Holy bath and a single satvik meal to begin the fast |
| Day 2 – Kharna (Lohanda) | Saturday, 14 November 2026 | Day-long fast broken at dusk with kheer and roti; 36-hour nirjala fast begins |
| Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya | Sunday, 15 November 2026 | Offering (arghya) to the setting Sun at the riverbank — confirm sunset time with a current panchang |
| Day 4 – Usha Arghya (Parana) | Monday, 16 November 2026 | Offering to the rising Sun, followed by breaking the fast |
The Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya are tied to sunset and sunrise timings, which vary by location. Please confirm the exact sunrise and sunset muhurat with an updated panchang for your city.
Significance of Chhath Puja
The significance behind the Chhath Puja date and vidhi lies in expressing gratitude to Surya Dev, the source of all life and energy, and to Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to protect children and grant health, prosperity and progeny. Chhath is among the most physically demanding vratas, involving a 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast, standing in water and offering arghya to both the setting and rising Sun — a rare tribute that honours the Sun in all its phases.
The festival is also celebrated for its emphasis on purity, discipline and eco-friendliness. Offerings such as thekua, fruits, sugarcane and coconut are prepared in scrupulously clean surroundings, and devotees observe strict cleanliness throughout.
Chhath Puja Vidhi and Preparations
Follow this traditional Chhath Puja vidhi to observe the vrat with devotion.
| Step | Ritual |
|---|---|
| 1 | On Nahay Khay, clean the home, bathe in a river or with clean water, and eat one satvik meal |
| 2 | On Kharna, observe a day fast and break it at dusk with kheer, roti and fruit |
| 3 | Prepare prasad — thekua, laddoo, seasonal fruits, sugarcane and coconut — in a pure kitchen |
| 4 | On the third evening, arrange offerings in a soop (bamboo tray) and offer arghya to the setting Sun standing in water |
| 5 | Light diyas and keep a vigil; sing Chhath geet through the night |
| 6 | On the fourth morning, offer arghya to the rising Sun and break the fast with prasad |
Lighting diyas is central to the arghya rituals; understand this tradition better with our diya and lamp significance guide, and keep a clean pooja thali ready for the offerings.
Traditional Chhath Prasad
Thekua, a wheat-and-jaggery sweet, is the signature Chhath prasad. Along with sugarcane, bananas, coconut, and seasonal produce, it is offered to Surya Dev and shared among family and community. To plan the whole festive season, refer to our Hindu festival calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 is observed from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November, with the main Sandhya Arghya on 15 November and Usha Arghya on 16 November.
What are the four days of Chhath Puja?
The four days are Nahay Khay, Kharna (Lohanda), Sandhya Arghya (evening offering) and Usha Arghya (morning offering and Parana).
What is offered during Chhath Puja?
Devotees offer thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut and water (arghya) to the setting and rising Sun in a bamboo soop tray.
Why is arghya offered to both the setting and rising Sun?
It honours Surya Dev in all phases, expressing gratitude for life and energy, and symbolises faith through both endings and new beginnings.
How long is the Chhath fast?
The main vrat is a rigorous 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast, beginning after Kharna and ending after the Usha Arghya on the final morning.
Observe Chhath Puja 2026 with purity and devotion. Explore our handcrafted Pooja Thali collection to prepare a clean, complete setup for offering arghya to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
