Chhath Puja Dates, PujaSamagri, Prasad & Traditional Recipes

Chhath Puja is one of the most meaningful Hindu festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated with devotion, discipline, and gratitude, this festival honours the Sun as the source of life, energy, and prosperity. Families come together to offer prayers, prepare traditional prasad, observe fasting, and perform rituals near rivers, ponds, and other water bodies.

Chhath Puja holds special significance in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. Today, it is celebrated by devotees across India and in communities around the world. From preparing thekua at home to offering arghya to the setting and rising Sun, every ritual reflects faith, purity, and respect for nature.

In this guide, you will learn about Chhath Puja 2026 dates, the four-day celebration, essential puja samagri, traditional prasad, and easy recipes to prepare at home.

Chhath Puja 2026 Dates and Calendar

Chhath Puja is observed over four days, beginning with Nahay Khay and ending with Usha Arghya, the offering made to the rising Sun. The festival takes place in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, shortly after Diwali.

Note: These are the expected festival dates for 2026 based on the Kartik lunar calendar. Confirm the local Panchang for your city, including the precise sunrise, sunset, and ritual timings, before making final arrangements.

What Is the Significance of Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a festival of gratitude, devotion, and self-discipline. Devotees worship Surya Dev for health, vitality, prosperity, and the well-being of their families. Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped for protection, happiness, and blessings for children.

Unlike many festivals, Chhath Puja places a strong emphasis on offerings to both the setting and rising Sun. The rituals remind devotees to appreciate the natural world and acknowledge the importance of sunlight and water in everyday life.

The festival is also known for its strict observances. Many devotees maintain a fast, follow specific food practices, and prepare prasad without onion, garlic, or ingredients considered unsuitable for the ritual. Customs can vary between families and regions, so following the traditions of your household is important.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja

1. Nahay Khay

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of Chhath Puja. Devotees bathe, clean their homes, and prepare themselves for the upcoming rituals. The food is traditionally simple and prepared with care.

Common dishes include rice, chana dal, and bottle gourd (lauki), often cooked using ingredients such as ghee and rock salt according to family customs. The meal is generally prepared in a clean kitchen, and devotees begin observing the dietary discipline associated with the festival.

2. Kharna

Kharna is observed on the second day. Devotees typically fast during the day and prepare prasad in the evening after completing their prayers.

Traditional Kharna prasad often includes jaggery kheer made with rice and milk, along with chapatis or other customary preparations. After the evening worship, the prasad is shared with family members and others.

Following Kharna, many devotees begin a strict nirjala fast, abstaining from both food and water until the concluding rituals. Individual practices may differ.

3. Sandhya Arghya

Sandhya Arghya is one of the most important parts of Chhath Puja. In the evening, devotees gather at rivers, ponds, or designated ghats to offer arghya to the setting Sun.

Families carry bamboo baskets or soop filled with fruits, thekua, sugarcane, coconuts, and other traditional offerings. Devotees stand in the water, pray to Surya Dev, and seek blessings for their families.

The atmosphere is often filled with Chhath songs, devotional chants, and the sight of beautifully arranged offerings. This evening ritual symbolises gratitude for the Sun's life-giving energy.

4. Usha Arghya and Paran

The final day begins early, when devotees gather before sunrise to offer arghya to the rising Sun. This ritual is known as Usha Arghya.

After the prayers, devotees complete their fast through Paran, following their family's customary procedure. Prasad is shared with relatives, neighbours, and other devotees.

Usha Arghya represents hope, renewal, and the continuation of life. It brings the four-day festival to a peaceful and devotional conclusion.

Chhath Puja Samagri List

Preparing the puja samagri in advance makes it easier to organise the rituals and avoid last-minute shopping. The exact list may differ depending on local traditions and household customs.

Tips for Preparing Chhath Puja Samagri

• Clean everything carefully: Wash fruits and utensils and keep the preparation area clean.

• Arrange ingredients beforehand: Make a checklist of items needed for the four days.

• Choose fresh produce: Select fresh fruits, sugarcane, and other offerings.

• Keep prasad separate: Store ritual food in clean containers and protect it from contamination.

• Follow family customs: Some households have specific requirements for ingredients, utensils, and preparation methods.

Traditional Chhath Puja Prasad

Chhath Puja prasad is known for its simple ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and cultural significance. Many families prepare these dishes at home and share them with relatives and neighbours.

1. Thekua

Thekua is one of the most recognisable Chhath Puja offerings. This traditional sweet is made with wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, ghee, and sometimes fennel seeds. The dough is shaped by hand or with a traditional mould and deep-fried until golden brown.

Thekua is valued for its flavour, crisp texture, and association with the festival. Families often prepare it in batches before the main puja day.

2. Jaggery Rice Kheer

Jaggery kheer is commonly prepared for Kharna. Rice is cooked slowly in milk until soft, and jaggery is added to create a naturally sweet flavour. Some families add cardamom, while others keep the preparation simple.

The kheer is offered during the evening ritual and then shared as prasad.

3. Roti or Chapati

Plain wheat rotis or chapatis are traditionally served with Kharna prasad in many households. They are prepared without onion or garlic and cooked using the methods followed by the family.

4. Seasonal Fruits

Bananas, coconuts, apples, oranges, and other locally available fruits are commonly arranged in the offering baskets. Sugarcane is also a familiar part of Chhath Puja offerings.

5. Rice and Chana Dal

Rice and chana dal are commonly associated with the Nahay Khay meal. They may be served with lauki prepared according to household traditions. The meal is simple, nourishing, and suitable for the beginning of the festival.

Easy Traditional Chhath Puja Recipes

Recipe 1: Traditional Thekua

Preparation time: 15–20 minutes
Cooking time: 20–30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour

• ½ cup grated or powdered jaggery

• 3–4 tablespoons ghee

• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, optional

• Water as needed

• Oil or ghee for frying

Method

1. Dissolve the jaggery in a small amount of warm water and let it cool until comfortably warm or room temperature.

2. Add wheat flour, ghee, and fennel seeds to a bowl. Mix until the flour resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Gradually add the jaggery water and knead into a firm dough. Avoid adding too much liquid.

4. Rest the dough for about 10 minutes.

5. Divide it into small portions and shape them into discs. Press each piece with a thekua mould or make a simple pattern by hand.

6. Heat oil or ghee over medium-low heat. Fry the pieces in batches until evenly golden brown and cooked through.

7. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels and allow them to cool completely before storing in a clean, dry container.

Helpful tip: Keep the dough firm and fry the thekua slowly. This helps the centre cook properly without making the outside too dark.

Recipe 2: Jaggery Rice Kheer for Kharna

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30–40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• ¼ cup rice

• 1 litre milk

• ⅓–½ cup grated jaggery, adjusted to taste

• 2–3 green cardamom pods, optional

• A little water for rinsing the rice

Method

1. Wash the rice thoroughly and drain it.

2. Bring the milk to a gentle boil in a heavy-bottomed pan.

3. Add the rice and cook over low heat, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.

4. Continue cooking until the rice becomes soft and the mixture thickens.

5. Turn off the heat and allow the kheer to cool slightly.

6. Add grated jaggery and stir until it dissolves. Avoid adding jaggery to vigorously boiling milk, as the milk may curdle.

7. Add cardamom if it is part of your household's recipe.

8. Offer the kheer according to your family’s Kharna rituals and share the prasad.

Helpful tip: Adjust the consistency by cooking the kheer for longer if you prefer it thicker. Follow your family's customary ingredients and preparation rules for ritual prasad.

Recipe 3: Lauki and Chana Dal for Nahay Khay

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25–35 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup bottle gourd (lauki), peeled and diced

• ½ cup chana dal

• 1–2 teaspoons ghee

• Rock salt, according to household custom

• Water as required

• A pinch of turmeric, optional if permitted by family tradition

Method

1. Wash the chana dal and soak it for about 20–30 minutes if time allows.

2. Peel the lauki, remove any tough seeds, and cut it into small pieces.

3. Heat ghee in a pan or pressure cooker.

4. Add the drained dal and diced lauki, followed by water and the permitted seasonings.

5. Cook until the dal is soft and the lauki is tender. If using a pressure cooker, follow its instructions and allow the pressure to release safely.

6. Check the consistency and adjust the water if necessary.

7. Serve warm with plain rice, following the Nahay Khay customs of your household.

Helpful tip: Keep the preparation simple and use clean utensils reserved for the ritual meal if that is part of your family's practice.

Important Chhath Puja Preparation Tips

• Plan your shopping early: Purchase fruits, sugarcane, jaggery, wheat flour, rice, and other essentials before the busiest festival days.

• Prepare thekua in advance: Store it in a clean, dry, airtight container after it has cooled completely.

• Keep the kitchen clean: Wash hands, utensils, and preparation surfaces before making prasad.

• Check local arrangements: If you plan to perform rituals at a ghat, check local access, crowd management, and safety instructions.

• Use caution near water: Choose designated bathing and worship areas, supervise children, and avoid unsafe or deep water.

• Respect fasting limits: Nirjala fasting can be physically demanding. Anyone with health concerns, those who are pregnant, older adults, and people taking medication should seek appropriate medical guidance and follow a safe, individually suitable approach rather than putting their health at risk.

Why Chhath Puja Is Celebrated with Such Devotion

Chhath Puja is more than a religious observance. It brings families and communities together through shared preparation, traditional songs, fasting, and collective worship. The festival also reflects a deep connection with nature, especially sunlight and water.

For many devotees, preparing prasad at home is one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration. Thekua, kheer, fruits, and other offerings carry family memories and traditions from one generation to the next.

Whether celebrated beside a river in Bihar or at a community ghat in another city, Chhath Puja remains a powerful expression of faith, gratitude, and togetherness.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed over four days, from Nahay Khay on November 13 to Usha Arghya and Paran on November 16, subject to local Panchang confirmation. By understanding the dates, arranging the puja samagri, and preparing traditional prasad such as thekua and jaggery kheer, families can organise their celebrations with care.

The heart of Chhath Puja lies in devotion, purity, discipline, and gratitude toward the Sun. Following your household's traditions, preparing offerings thoughtfully, and observing the rituals safely can help make the festival meaningful for the entire family.

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