Chhath Puja 2026 Dates, Rituals, Traditions and Significance

India celebrates many festivals throughout the year, but some occasions have a special connection with nature, family, faith and community. Chhath Puja is one such festival. Dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, it is observed with deep devotion, discipline and gratitude.

Chhath Puja is especially popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Nepal. Over the years, celebrations have also become common in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of India, as families carry their traditions wherever they live.

What makes this festival unique is that devotees offer prayers to both the setting sun and the rising sun. The celebrations take place near rivers, ponds, lakes and specially prepared water bodies. Families prepare traditional offerings, sing devotional folk songs and gather at the ghats to participate in the rituals.

In 2026, Chhath Puja will be celebrated from 13 November to 16 November. The four-day festival will once again bring communities together through prayer, fasting and traditional customs

Chhath Puja 2026: Important Dates

Chhath Puja follows the Hindu lunar calendar and is observed during the Kartik month. Its main Sun-worship rituals take place on the sixth day of the bright fortnight, known as Kartik Shukla Shashthi.

Here is the four-day schedule for Chhath Puja 2026:

The festival begins with Nahay Khay and concludes after devotees offer prayers to the rising sun on the final morning.

Drikpanchang+1

Important: Sunrise and sunset timings differ from city to city. Devotees should check their local Panchang for the exact Arghya timings.

What Is Chhath Puja and Why Is It Celebrated?

Chhath Puja is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. The Sun is considered an essential source of life, energy, light and growth. Through their prayers, devotees express gratitude for the natural forces that support everyday life.

The festival is also associated with wishes for good health, prosperity, happiness and the well-being of family members, particularly children.

Unlike many other religious celebrations, Chhath Puja does not centre around a temple or an elaborate idol. The natural surroundings, especially rivers and open water bodies, play an important role in the observance.

Devotees follow strict practices, maintain cleanliness and prepare offerings with care. The combination of faith, simplicity and respect for nature makes Chhath Puja an important part of India's cultural heritage.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja 2026

Each day of Chhath Puja has a particular meaning and set of rituals. Together, these four days create a spiritual journey that encourages discipline, devotion and family participation.

13 November 2026

Nahay Khay

The first day of Chhath Puja begins with purification and traditional food.

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Devotees take a ritual bath, clean their homes and prepare a traditional meal. Kaddu-Bhaat, made with pumpkin or bottle gourd and rice, is a popular dish associated with this day.

14 November 2026

Lohanda and Kharna

A day of fasting, prayers and preparing traditional Kharna prasad.

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Devotees fast during the day and prepare jaggery-based kheer, roti and fruits in the evening. After offering prayers, the prasad is shared with family members. The traditional nirjala fast begins after Kharna.

15 November 2026

Sandhya Arghya

Devotees gather at riverbanks to worship the setting sun.

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Families visit rivers, ponds and other water bodies with bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, coconuts and thekua. Devotees stand in the water and offer Arghya to the setting sun.

16 November 2026

Usha Arghya

The final morning ritual welcomes the rising sun with prayers.

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Devotees return to the water bodies before sunrise and offer Arghya to the rising Sun. After completing the rituals, they perform Parana to conclude the fast and distribute prasad.

Traditional Foods and Offerings of Chhath Puja

Food is an important part of Chhath Puja. Traditional offerings are prepared with care, following cleanliness and family customs. Many families use fresh ingredients and prepare the prasad at home.

Here are some popular foods and offerings associated with the festival:

Thekua deserves special mention because it is one of the most recognisable Chhath offerings. Families often prepare it at home, and its traditional taste is closely associated with the festival.

Important Items Required for Chhath Puja

Families usually prepare the puja materials in advance so that the rituals can be completed smoothly.

Some commonly used items include:

• Bamboo baskets or soop for carrying offerings.

• Seasonal fruits and coconuts.

• Sugarcane and traditional sweets.

• Thekua and other homemade prasad.

• Earthen lamps and cotton wicks.

• Clean water and other customary puja materials.

• Traditional clothes for the devotees.

The exact list may vary according to local customs and family traditions.

Why Is Chhath Puja So Special?

Chhath Puja is more than a religious festival. It reflects values that are important in everyday life and brings people together through shared traditions.

1. Gratitude Towards Nature

The festival honours the Sun as a source of life and energy. The rituals remind people of their connection with nature and the importance of respecting natural resources.

2. Family Well-Being

Many devotees observe Chhath Puja with prayers for the health, happiness and prosperity of their family members.

3. Discipline and Devotion

The four-day observance requires preparation, patience and commitment. Fasting and following traditional practices are meaningful parts of the festival for devotees.

4. Community Participation

Families, neighbours and volunteers often work together to clean and decorate ghats, prepare offerings and organise celebrations.

5. Preservation of Cultural Traditions

Traditional songs, recipes, clothing and rituals help younger generations learn about their cultural roots. Even families living far from their hometowns continue to celebrate Chhath Puja.

Bihar & Eastern UP

Discover the traditional roots and devotional celebrations of Chhath Puja.

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Chhath Puja holds deep cultural importance in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Families gather at riverbanks and village ponds to offer Arghya, prepare traditional prasad and sing devotional folk songs.

Delhi Celebrations

Experience community prayers and festive gatherings across the capital.

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In Delhi, devotees gather near rivers, lakes and designated temporary ghats. Community groups and volunteers help arrange facilities, organise celebrations and support devotees during evening and morning rituals.

Mumbai & Kolkata

See how families keep their festival traditions alive in busy cities.

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Families and community organisations in Mumbai and Kolkata arrange Chhath Puja gatherings near suitable water bodies. Devotees prepare traditional offerings, sing folk songs and come together for Sandhya and Usha Arghya.

MP & Abroad

Explore how Chhath traditions connect communities across borders.

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In Madhya Pradesh and among Indian communities abroad, devotees observe Chhath Puja according to their traditions. Families organise prayers, prepare offerings and celebrate together while preserving their cultural connection.

Tips for Celebrating Chhath Puja Safely in 2026

Chhath Puja gatherings can attract large crowds, especially during Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya. A little planning can help families celebrate comfortably.

• Choose a safe ghat: Prefer designated and properly maintained areas for the rituals.

• Check local timings: Confirm sunrise and sunset timings for your city.

• Keep the surroundings clean: Avoid throwing plastic, food waste or other rubbish into water bodies.

• Be careful near water: Children should remain under adult supervision.

• Plan your journey: Reach the ghat early and follow local traffic and crowd-management instructions.

• Prepare offerings in advance: Arrange baskets, fruits, prasad and other materials before the main rituals.

• Respect devotees: Keep pathways clear and ask permission before taking photographs.

People observing a strict fast should take their health and personal circumstances seriously. Anyone with health concerns should seek appropriate medical advice before undertaking prolonged fasting.

Chhath Puja 2026: A Celebration of Faith, Nature and Togetherness

Chhath Puja holds a special place in India's cultural and spiritual traditions. Its four-day observance brings together prayer, fasting, traditional food, folk music and community participation.

From Nahay Khay to Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya, every ritual has its own importance. The practice of worshipping both the setting and rising sun makes the festival particularly meaningful.

As Chhath Puja 2026 approaches, families will once again prepare their offerings, gather at the ghats and celebrate with devotion. Whether observed in a village, a busy city or a community abroad, the festival continues to share a simple message: be grateful for nature, value family and keep cultural traditions alive.

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