Chhath Puja 2026: Dates, Arghya Timings, Puja Vidhi and Samagri

Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred festivals dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with great devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and by Indian communities around the world, this four-day festival expresses gratitude to the Sun for sustaining life, health and prosperity.

Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed from Friday, November 13, to Monday, November 16. The main evening offering, Sandhya Arghya, falls on Sunday, November 15, followed by Usha Arghya at sunrise on November 16.

Chhath Puja 2026: Dates and Four-Day Calendar

The festival follows four important stages, each with its own customs and spiritual significance.

Date	Ritual	Significance
Friday, November 13, 2026	Nahay Khay	Purification, cleanliness and the beginning of the observance.
Saturday, November 14, 2026	Kharna	Fasting, evening worship and preparation of prasad.
Sunday, November 15, 2026	Sandhya Arghya	Offerings to the setting Sun.
Monday, November 16, 2026	Usha Arghya and Parana	Offerings to the rising Sun and completion of the fast.

Important: Arghya is offered according to the local sunset and sunrise. Check a reliable local panchang for your city rather than relying on a single national timing.

What Is the Significance of Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a festival of gratitude, discipline, purity and devotion. Surya Dev is worshipped as the source of energy and life, while Chhathi Maiya is revered for blessings, family well-being and the welfare of children. Devotees offer prayers to both the setting and rising Sun, symbolising respect for life's cycles and gratitude for nature.

Chhath Puja Samagri List

Prepare the required items in advance, following your family's traditions:

• Clean bamboo soop or daura for offerings
• Seasonal fruits, including bananas, apples and coconuts
• Sugarcane, where customary
• Thekua and other traditional prasad
• Rice, wheat flour, jaggery and ingredients for prasad
• Flowers, a diya, cotton wicks and ghee
• A clean vessel or lota for offering water
• Clean cloth and other items used in your family’s rituals

Offerings and ingredients vary by region and family tradition. Keep the preparation area and utensils clean, and prepare prasad according to the vrat customs you follow.

Day 1: Nahay Khay – November 13, 2026

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of Chhath Puja. The person observing the vrat takes a ritual bath, cleans the home and cooking area, and prepares a simple sattvik meal. Rice, chana dal and bottle gourd are commonly prepared in many households. Onion and garlic are generally avoided in the vrat meal.

The focus of the day is cleanliness, restraint and preparing oneself for the coming rituals.

Day 2: Kharna – November 14, 2026

On Kharna, devotees observe a daytime fast and perform evening worship after sunset according to their family tradition. Kheer made with rice and jaggery, along with roti, is commonly prepared as prasad. The prasad is offered in worship and then shared with family members and others.

After Kharna, many devotees begin the traditional nirjala fast, abstaining from food and water until the concluding morning rituals. Fasting practices differ, and people with health concerns should seek appropriate medical advice rather than undertake a strenuous fast unsafely.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – November 15, 2026

Sandhya Arghya is one of the central rituals of Chhath Puja. Devotees arrange fruits, thekua, sugarcane and other offerings in a soop or daura and proceed to a riverbank, pond or other suitable clean water body.

At sunset, devotees offer water and prayers to Surya Dev while seeking blessings from Chhathi Maiya. Families may sing traditional Chhath songs and pray together. If observing at home, use a clean, safe space and a suitable vessel of water according to your family tradition.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana – November 16, 2026

On the final morning, devotees gather before sunrise and offer Arghya to the rising Sun. They pray for health, peace, prosperity and the well-being of their families. After Usha Arghya, the vrat is concluded with Parana according to the family's customs and local panchang.

Devotees then share prasad with relatives, neighbours and the wider community. This final ritual marks the completion of the four-day observance.

How to Perform Chhath Puja at Home

1. Clean the worship area and arrange the puja items in advance.
2. Follow the Nahay Khay and Kharna observances according to your family's vrat tradition.
3. Prepare traditional prasad and arrange the fruits and offerings in clean baskets.
4. At sunset on the main day, offer Arghya to the setting Sun at a safe and suitable location.
5. On the following morning, offer Arghya to the rising Sun and complete the vrat with Parana.

Chhath Puja is traditionally observed with discipline and specific family customs. If you are performing it for the first time, ask an experienced family member or knowledgeable pandit about the rituals followed in your tradition.

Chhath Puja Mantra

Devotees may chant a simple Surya mantra during worship:

ॐ सूर्याय नमः

Om Suryaya Namah

Meaning: Salutations to Surya Dev, the Sun God.

Chant with devotion while offering prayers. You may also recite traditional Chhath songs and prayers familiar to your family.

Important Tips for Chhath Puja

• Confirm the local sunset and sunrise times for the two Arghya rituals.
• Keep the prasad, utensils and offerings clean.
• Choose a safe, accessible place for worship and take care near water bodies, particularly with children.
• Follow your family's traditions and local guidance for fasting and Parana.
• Do not put your health at risk to observe a fast; adapt the observance with appropriate guidance if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chhath Puja 2026

When is Chhath Puja in 2026?

Chhath Puja's four-day observance runs from November 13 to November 16, 2026. The main Sandhya Arghya is on November 15.

When is Kharna in 2026?

Kharna falls on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

When is Sandhya Arghya in 2026?

Sandhya Arghya falls on Sunday, November 15, 2026, and is performed around local sunset.

When is Usha Arghya in 2026?

Usha Arghya falls on Monday, November 16, 2026, around local sunrise.

Can Chhath Puja be performed at home?

Yes. Families who cannot visit a ghat may follow suitable home observances according to their family tradition, using a clean space and a vessel of water for prayer.

What is the main prasad of Chhath Puja?

Thekua, seasonal fruits, sugarcane and other traditional offerings are commonly used. Exact offerings vary by region and household custom.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja is a powerful expression of faith, gratitude and respect for nature. From Nahay Khay and Kharna to Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, each stage carries its own meaning. By preparing carefully, following family traditions and observing the rituals safely, devotees can celebrate Chhath Puja 2026 with devotion and a spirit of togetherness.

For exact local timings and ritual guidance, consult a reliable panchang or an experienced local pandit.