Chhath Puja 2026 is one of the most significant festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. This year, Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026, with the main Sandhya Arghya falling on Sunday, 15 November. If you are looking for the exact dates, shubh muhurat, and the complete four-day puja vidhi, this guide covers everything in simple, easy-to-follow language.

Chhath is not just a festival it is a test of patience, discipline, and gratitude. Devotees, known as Vratis, observe a rigorous fast for four days, standing in water to offer arghya to the setting and rising sun. It is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, though today it is observed by devotees across India and the world.

When is Chhath Puja 2026? 

Chhath Puja 2026 falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, which corresponds to Sunday, 15 November 2026 as the main puja day. The festival itself runs for four days, starting two days earlier and ending the day after.

Here is the day-wise schedule:

• Day 1 – Nahay Khay: Friday, 13 November 2026

• Day 2 – Lohanda and Kharna: Saturday, 14 November 2026

• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (Main Chhath Puja): Sunday, 15 November 2026

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

Chhath usually falls a few days after Diwali, and in 2026, Diwali is on 8 November which places Chhath about a week later, following the traditional calendar sequence.

Note: Since Chhath dates are based on the tithi (lunar day) and sunrise timing, they can shift by a day depending on your city. It is always best to confirm your local sunrise and sunset timings with a current panchang before beginning the vrat.

Chhath Puja 2026 Muhurat and Timings

The Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya are performed exactly at sunset and sunrise, so the muhurat is essentially the sun's timing in your city on that day.

Approximate timings for North Indian cities (based on Delhi-region panchang) are:

Sunset and sunrise timings vary from city to city, so devotees in Patna, Delhi, Mumbai, or Kathmandu will each see a small difference of a few minutes. Always check the local panchang for your exact location a day or two before the puja.

What is Chhath Puja and Why is it Celebrated? 

Chhath Puja is a festival of thanksgiving to Surya Dev for sustaining life on earth, and to Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashthi), who is worshipped for the wellbeing, health, and long life of children. Unlike most Hindu festivals, Chhath does not involve idol worship it is a Nirankar (formless) puja performed on the banks of a river, pond, or any clean water body.

The festival has roots going back to Vedic times, and mentions of similar sun worship appear in ancient texts like the Rigveda. Popular folklore also connects the puja to Karna, the son of Surya Dev, who is said to have worshipped the sun while standing in water a practice devotees still follow today.

Chhath Puja 2026 Vidhi: 

The four days of Chhath each have a specific ritual. Here is what happens on each day.

Day 1: Nahay Khay (13 November 2026) 

This marks the beginning of the vrat.

• The Vrati takes a holy bath, preferably in the Ganga or another river.

• The house and kitchen are cleaned thoroughly to maintain purity.

• A simple sattvic meal usually made with lauki (bottle gourd), chana dal, and rice is prepared and eaten only once.

• No onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian food is used at any point during Chhath.

Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna (14 November 2026) 

This is the day of the nirjala (waterless) fast.

• The Vrati fasts all day without eating or drinking water.

• In the evening, after sunset, the fast is broken with kheer (rice pudding made with jaggery) and roti.

• Once the Vrati eats, a 36-hour nirjala fast begins, which continues until the Usha Arghya on Day 4.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (15 November 2026) 

This is the most significant day of Chhath Puja 2026.

• Offerings such as thekua, fruits, sugarcane, and rice laddoos are arranged in a bamboo basket called a soop or daura.

• In the evening, the whole family walks to the riverbank or ghat.

• Standing in water, the Vrati offers arghya (water offering) to the setting sun.

• Devotional songs are sung, and the ghat area is decorated with diyas.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana (16 November 2026) 

This final day marks the completion of the vrat.

• Before sunrise, devotees return to the same ghat.

• Arghya is offered once again, this time to the rising sun.

• After the Usha Arghya, the Vrati breaks the 36-hour fast this act is called Parana.

• Prasad is distributed among family and community members to conclude the puja.

Essential Items Needed for Chhath Puja

A traditional Chhath puja thali typically includes:

• Bamboo soop (winnowing basket) or daura

• Thekua (a jaggery and wheat flour sweet, the main prasad)

• Seasonal fruits like bananas, coconut, and sweet lime

• Sugarcane stalks

• Diyas (earthen lamps) and incense

• Fresh, unstitched clothes dhoti for men, saree for women

Purity is central to every part of Chhath right from the food that is cooked to the clothes and even the ornaments worn during the ritual. Many families prefer offerings and jewellery made from natural, unmixed materials for this reason, since authenticity and purity carry deep spiritual meaning in this puja. Brands like Prinjal design jewellery using certified 92.5 silver and genuine Rudraksha, which aligns with the same idea of purity that Chhath rituals emphasize for instance, a certified 92.5 silver pendant is often chosen by devotees who want their adornment to reflect the same sattvic values as the puja itself, and those exploring options in Rudraksha jewellery collections will find pieces suited for such spiritually significant occasions.

Rules and Precautions During Chhath Vrat

• Maintain strict cleanliness bathe daily and wear fresh clothes.

• Avoid onion, garlic, and any tamasic (impure) ingredients in food.

• Do not let non-fasting family members touch the prasad before it is offered.

• The Vrati should avoid sleeping on a bed during the fasting days; sleeping on the floor is traditional.

• Maintain silence, positivity, and devotion throughout the four days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the exact date of Chhath Puja 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 begins on Friday, 13 November, with the main Sandhya Arghya on Sunday, 15 November, and concludes with Usha Arghya on Monday, 16 November.

2. Why is Chhath Puja celebrated for four days?
Each day represents a distinct ritual purification (Nahay Khay), fasting (Kharna), evening offering (Sandhya Arghya), and morning offering with fast-breaking (Usha Arghya) together forming a complete cycle of devotion to Surya Dev.

3. Can Chhath Puja be performed at home without a river?
Yes, if access to a river or pond is not possible, the puja can be performed using a large tub or tank of clean water at home, as long as the core rituals and purity practices are followed.

4. What is the significance of offering arghya to the setting sun?
Offering arghya to the setting sun teaches devotees to respect every phase of life, including struggle and decline, and to have faith that the sun (and hope) will rise again.

5. Is Chhath Puja only celebrated in Bihar?
No, while it originated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath Puja is now celebrated by devotee communities across India, Nepal, and even abroad, wherever these communities have settled.

Jai Chhathi Maiya, Jai Surya Dev 🙏