Chhath Puja 2026 begins November 13. Check the four-day schedule, important dates, rituals, fasting rules and religious significance.
Chhath Puja 2026 will begin on November 13 and conclude on November 16, with devotees across India preparing to celebrate the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Observed with great devotion, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the festival involves traditional rituals, prayers, offerings and a strict period of fasting.
The celebrations will begin with Nahay Khay on Friday, November 13, followed by Kharna on November 14. The third day, November 15, will be dedicated to Sandhya Arghya, when devotees offer prayers to the setting Sun. The festival will conclude on November 16 with Usha Arghya, offered to the rising Sun, followed by Paran to break the fast.
One of the most distinctive features of Chhath Puja is the rigorous fasting observed by devotees. The main fasting period lasts approximately 36 hours without food or water. Devotees follow traditional practices with discipline and devotion while praying for family well-being, good health, prosperity and happiness.
Chhath Puja 2026: Complete Four-Day Schedule
The festival is celebrated over four days, with each day carrying a particular religious and cultural importance. Here is the complete calendar of Chhath Puja 2026:
Date Day Important Ritual
November 13, 2026 Friday Nahay Khay
November 14, 2026 Saturday Kharna
November 15, 2026 Sunday Sandhya Arghya
November 16, 2026 Monday Usha Arghya and Paran
Chhath Puja 2026: Significance and Rituals of All Four Days
1. Nahay Khay – November 13, 2026
Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the Chhath festival. This day is dedicated to physical and spiritual purification, as devotees prepare themselves for the upcoming religious observances.
People begin the day by taking a bath, often in rivers, ponds or other water bodies. They also clean their homes and kitchens to maintain purity during the festival.
A traditional vegetarian meal is prepared, generally consisting of rice, chana dal and bottle gourd. The food is cooked using pure ghee and rock salt. The person observing the fast eats first, after which the meal is served to other family members.
2. Kharna – November 14, 2026
The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna. Devotees observe a fast throughout the day and prepare special offerings in the evening.
One of the most popular preparations is jaggery-based kheer made with rice and cow’s milk. Wheat rotis are also prepared as part of the traditional meal. In many households, these dishes are cooked in earthen utensils using traditional methods.
After offering the food to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, devotees consume the prasad. This ritual marks the beginning of the challenging 36-hour fast without food or water, which continues until the final morning of the festival.
3. Sandhya Arghya – November 15, 2026
Sandhya Arghya is among the most significant rituals of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees prepare traditional prasad and arrange various seasonal fruits and offerings in bamboo baskets and soops.
Thekua, kasar, sugarcane, bananas, lemons, water chestnuts and other seasonal fruits are commonly included in the offerings. These preparations hold a special place in the festival’s traditions.
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In the evening, devotees visit riverbanks, ponds and designated ghats with their families. Standing in the water, they offer Arghya to the setting Sun while praying for the happiness, health and prosperity of their loved ones.
The sight of devotees standing together at the ghats and performing prayers creates a deeply spiritual atmosphere.
4. Usha Arghya and Paran – November 16, 2026
The fourth day brings the festival to a conclusion with Usha Arghya, the morning offering to the rising Sun. Devotees reach the ghats before sunrise and prepare for the final prayer.
As the Sun appears on the horizon, devotees offer water and milk while seeking blessings from the Sun God. This ritual symbolises gratitude, hope and the beginning of a new day.
After completing the prayers and aarti, devotees perform Paran, the ritual of breaking their fast. Traditionally, they consume water, milk or other simple food items before sharing the prasad with family members and other devotees.
With this final ritual, the four-day celebration of Chhath Puja comes to an end.
Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated? Know Its Religious Significance
Chhath Puja has a special place in Hindu traditions because it is dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, who is considered the source of energy, light and life. Devotees also worship Chhathi Maiya and seek blessings for the well-being of their families and children.
Unlike several other Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja does not primarily involve idol worship. Instead, devotees offer prayers directly to the Sun and express gratitude towards nature and its life-sustaining elements.
Another important aspect of the festival is the worship of both the setting and rising Sun. On the third day, devotees perform Sandhya Arghya to honour the setting Sun, while the following morning is dedicated to Usha Arghya.
This tradition represents gratitude towards nature and recognises the importance of every phase of life. It also highlights values such as patience, discipline, devotion and self-control.
Chhath Puja is also known for bringing communities together. People from different social and economic backgrounds gather at riverbanks and ghats to participate in the celebrations. Families prepare traditional offerings, while local artisans contribute by making bamboo baskets, soops and other festival essentials.
Chhath Puja Celebrations Beyond Bihar and Jharkhand
Although Chhath Puja has strong cultural roots in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, its popularity has expanded considerably over the years.
The festival is now celebrated with enthusiasm in several metropolitan cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of India. Indian communities living abroad also organise Chhath celebrations in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The growing celebrations reflect the festival’s cultural importance and the strong connection people maintain with their traditions, even when living away from their hometowns.
Chhath Puja 2026 is an occasion that brings together faith, nature and community spirit. Through four days of rituals, devotees express gratitude to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya while praying for health, happiness and prosperity.
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