Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Sun and Chhathi Maiya. It is one of the biggest festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and even in some parts of Nepal. It is the day associated with rigorous fasting, communities gathering, and offering Araghya to the Lord Sun while standing in water.
However, do you know the significance of these rituals, the story behind as to why this festival is celebrated, and the date, day, or time it will fall on in 2026? If not, worry not; the following sections act as a complete guide for all four days.
The Chhath Puja 2026 date is November 15, 2026, which falls on a Sunday. On this day, devotees offer Araghya to the setting sun. However, the rituals begin on Chaturthi and continue until Saptami tithi, which is on November 16, 2026.
|
Day |
Date |
Tithi |
Main Ritual |
|
Day 1 |
Friday, November 13, 2026 |
Chaturthi |
Nahay Khay |
|
Day 2 |
Saturday, November 14, 2026 |
Panchami |
Kharna/Lohanda |
|
Day 3 |
Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
Shashthi |
Chhath Puja & Sandhya Arghya |
|
Day 4 |
Monday, November 16, 2026 |
Saptami |
Usha Arghya & Parana |
Note: In Patna, the Shasthi tithi would begin at 11:23 PM on November 14 and remain until 2:00 AM on November 16. The local sunset would take place at around 5:01 PM on November 15. However, these are location-specific. For specific details, it is better to refer to the local panchang.
Chhath Puja is one of the biggest traditional Hindu festivals, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. It is a day focused on the worship of Lord Sun and Chhathi Maiya. This festival is a celebration of nature’s elements. Also, unlike other festivals, it not only involves worshipping idols but is also more about gathering near ghats, ponds, and rivers, waking up early in the morning, eating as per Chhathi Puja rituals, and offering Araghya to the Sun. Further, it is observed twice in the Hindu calendar, which is during Chaitra and Kartik. However, the main one is considered to be the one that arrives during the month of Kartik. It is also known by names such as Surya Shashthi, Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Chhath and Pratihar.
Compared to other Hindu festivals and fasts, Chhath Puja is distinct. First, it lasts four days; second, the food practices, spiritual disciplines, and rituals differ each day. Get to know about all four days in detail.
The Chhath Puja begins on November 13th, 2026, with Nahay Khay marking the beginning of the festival. The day's central theme is bathing, maintaining cleanliness, and eating a simple meal.
The day begins with taking a bath, cleaning the Puja area, and preparing the meal with specified ingredients. In some regional traditions, the devotee takes only one meal on this day.
The prepared meal contains Arwa rice, chickpeas, and bottle gourd. Also, when preparing food, it takes place in a new utensil, or there has to be a bronze stove. The food is prepared without onion or garlic. If one wants to add rock salt (sendha namak) or ghee to the food, it is completely permissible.
Once the food is prepared, it is first offered to the family deity and the Lord Sun. Once it has been offered, devotees who have observed the fast can now consume the food.
The second day is known as Kharna or Lohanda. It marks the beginning of the 36-hour fast. It is the final day on which a devotee or vrati may consume food or water; after that, they must abstain from all food and water.
The meal a vrati can eat consists of gur ki kheer, roti, and bananas. It depends on families and regions and varies accordingly. Once the prasad is prepared, the vrati can break their fast in the evening.
The prasad is first offered to Chhati Maiya and Lord Sun. However, when the vrati is breaking their fast, there has to be complete silence in the room. If they hear any noise while eating, they have to leave the prasad then and there. In a nutshell, it is a day that tests discipline, self-control, and focus not only for one person but for the entire family.
The third day is the main or central day of Chhath Puja. Devotees prepare the offerings throughout the day and later take them to a riverbank, pond, lake, or another designated body of water.
The evening ritual is called Sandhya Arghya, during which offerings are made to the setting Sun. Devotees commonly stand in the water while offering Arghya, accompanied by prayers, devotional songs, and the participation of family members.
Bamboo baskets, fruits, Thekua and other traditional offerings are carried to the Ghat. The atmosphere is often marked by Chhath songs and collective worship.
The fast continues through the night and is completed only after the next morning's Arghya.
Day 4 is the final or last day of Chhath Puja. It is the day when devotees again go to the ghat, dip into the cold water, face east, and wait for the Lord Sun's rays. It is the moment when one realises that after every dark period, there comes a period full of light.
Once the Sun rises, the devotee holds up the decorated bamboo soop filled with fresh fruits, Thekua, and new sprouts. When the devotee holds the soop, family members pour milk and holy water around it, marking it as an offering to the newborn sun. During this duration, the entire family chants prayers, songs, and hymns for peace, wealth, fortune, luck, and fulfilment of their deepest wishes.
Once the Vrati emerge from the holy water, they offer prayers to the soil. Now, they can break their fast by consuming holy prasad made up of ginger, thekua, and raw sugar. Now, Vrati blesses the family members by applying Sindoor, starting from the nose to the forehead of women. It is a blessing for their husbands' long lives. The remaining prasad is then distributed among family members, neighbours, or strangers at the ghat.
There are many reasons as to why Chhath Puja is celebrated. From expressing gratitude and devotion to community gatherings, there are several reasons for it.
Surya Dev holds a central position in Chhath worship. The Sun is a source of light and energy, and the god of healing. In Chhath Puja, devotees worship Lord Sun in both the rising and setting phases. It represents the cyclical nature of life. Further, it teaches one to worship both sides of life, be it the setting phase or the rising phase, as similar things happen in life. It is a mix of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. It indicates that you cannot appreciate dawn until you see dusk.
Another reason Chhath Puja is celebrated is to worship Chhathi Maiya. She is the sixth form of Goddess Katyayani. Couples who have difficulty conceiving, parents who want their children to be protected, or families who desire long-term harmony pray to her. Worshipping her symbolises the emphasis on the role of the divine feminine in creation and protection.
Chhath is also a day when devotees pay gratitude to nature. It is a celebration of the five elements of nature, known as Panchtattva, with a primary focus on Agni (fire) and Jal (water). Devotees worship Lord Surya by standing in bodies of water and understanding the importance of natural elements. They worship the elements of nature and recognise their importance.
The Chhath festival is a day that builds discipline and devotion in devotees physically and mentally. The fast lasts 36 hours without water or food, flushing toxins and resetting the body's digestive system. Other than that, silence and isolation help devotees calm their minds and build mental resilience. Thus, Chhath is not only about worshipping, but also giving your body and mind a fresh start.
Chhath is a festival in which families come together to offer arghya to Lord Sun. They visit ghats, prepare offerings, and indulge in groups for prayer and songs. Thus, this day involves many families. It promotes a feeling of belonging and love. In cities, where ghats are limited, communities organise temporary solutions to celebrate the festival with joy and fun.
The reason Chhath is celebrated is not a single story; rather, it stems from multiple tales in the Hindu epics and ancient Puranas.
There was once a couple, as per the Brahmavaivarta Purana, named King Priyavrat and Queen Malini. Both were unhappy because it was becoming difficult for the couple to conceive. It is because of this reason, they performed sacred rituals under Sage Kashyap to conceive.
The child born was dead. It is because of this reason, the King decided to cremate his son and also take away his life. However, when he was about to take his own life, suddenly a beam of light appeared, which was none other than Shasthi or Devasana. She touched the infant, and he appeared to have life.
The King decided to express gratitude by observing a rigorous fast on the sixth day of the Kartik month. He worshipped Chhati Maiya, along with Lord Sun, which also marks the day for Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja is also celebrated because of two different stories or tales from the Mahabharata. Get to know about them.
Karna, the son of Surya Dev, was the first one to begin Chhath Puja. He was the one who would regularly offer Araghya to Lord Sun and worship him by standing in water.
Lord Sun saw his devotion, and as a blessing, he received Kavach (armour) and Kundal (earrings). From this day forward, Chhath Puja is considered vital, and devotees observe disciplined rituals during the Festival.
When the Pandavas lost their kingdom in the dice game, they had to leave it and go into exile. During this period, they faced several hardships with food, water, and access to basic amenities. Even if a sage or priest came to their place, they were unable to feed them. Seeing such difficulties and challenges, Draupadi decided to pray to Lord Sun.
She observed the fast and followed all rituals. Her prayers were answered, and as a result, the Pandavas regained their kingdom, and all their miseries were resolved.
In the times of the Ramayana, when Lord Rama killed a Brahmin, he had to clear his karmic debt. When Lord Rama asked the sages, they advised the couple, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, to observe a fast for Lord Sun and completely follow all the rituals as advised.
Lord Rama and Goddess Sita followed all the rituals, stood in the Saryu River, and offered Araghya to Lord Sun. They did it on the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. Also, when the fast ended, the establishment of Ramrajya (the period of peace and prosperity) began.
The Chhath Puja samagri list varies as per different regions and households. However, if you want a basic checklist to avoid distractions at the grand festival, here are some items you can grab.
Ans. Sandhya Arghya falls on Sunday, November 15, 2026. It is the evening ritual in which devotees take offerings to the Ghat, including bamboo baskets, fruits, and thekua. It is the day when devotees do not consume water or food for the entire 36 hours.
Ans. Usha Arghya falls on Monday, November 16, 2026. It is the day when devotees arrive at the Ghat before sunrise and dip themselves in the water to await the Sun's rays. Once the rays of light appear, devotees worship the Lord Sun, and family members offer milk around the soop, a basket. The devotee then comes outside, offers prayers to the soil, and breaks the fast with prasad made up of ginger, raw sugar, and thekua.
Ans. Chhath Puja is a four-day festival that begins with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. However, the fasting period is 36 hours, beginning on the third day and ending on the fourth day after sunrise and consumption of prasad.
Ans. Yes, Chhath Vrat is nirjala, which means the Vrati cannot consume any food or water for 36 hours. However, depending on families and traditions, it can vary. Furthermore, someone who wishes to observe the fast should first consider their health before undertaking it.
Ans. No, Chhath Puja is not only for Bihari people. It is also widely celebrated in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Further, in the neighbouring country, Nepal, it is also celebrated in the southern and central provinces.