Chhath Puja 2026 Dates: When is Nahay Khay, Kharna, Evening & Morning Arghya Timings & More Details

Chhath Puja 2026 will be celebrated over four days from Friday, November 13, to Monday, November 16, across India and by Indian communities who are living abroad. The festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, is observed with traditional rituals, fasting and prayers offered to the rising and setting Sun.

Chhath Puja is particularly popular in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. However, celebrations are also organised in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and several other cities, as well as by Indian communities in countries such as Nepal, Singapore, the UAE, the UK and Australia.

Chhath Puja 2026: Date and Four-Day Ritual Schedule

Chhath Puja is observed over four days during the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. Each day has a specific ritual and significance.

Day 1: Nahay Khay, Friday, November 13th

The festival begins with Nahay Khay, when devotees take a holy bath, clean their homes and prepare for the upcoming rituals. They observe dietary restrictions and consume a simple, satvik meal, traditionally prepared using ingredients such as rice and bottle gourd. The day marks the beginning of the preparations for the Chhath fast.

Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna, Saturday, November 14th

The second day is observed as Lohanda and Kharna. Devotees fast throughout the day and break their fast after sunset after prayers. Traditional offerings include kheer a sweet preparation made with rice and jaggery, along with roti. After Kharna, devotees begin a rigorous 36-hour nirjala fast, during which they abstain from both food and water.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya, Sunday, November 15th

Sandhya Arghya is one of the most important rituals of Chhath Puja. Devotees gather at riverbanks, ponds, canals and specially prepared ghats to offer prayers to the setting Sun. They stand in water and make offerings of fruits, flowers and traditional prasad to Surya Dev. Large gatherings are expected at Chhath ghats across the country on this day.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana, Monday, November 16th

The festival concludes with Usha Arghya, when devotees gather at water bodies before sunrise to offer prayers to the rising Sun. After completing the morning rituals, devotees break their 36-hour fast through Parana, usually by consuming prasad and water. This marks the conclusion of the four-day Chhath Puja celebrations.

Chhath Puja 2026: Sunrise and Sunset Timings

According to the Drik Panchang details, the sunrise and sunset timings for the four days are as follows. These timings appear to correspond to Delhi and should be checked against the selected city before publication, as sunrise and sunset vary across locations.

On November 13, sunrise is at 6:42 AM and sunset at 5:28 PM. On November 14, sunrise is at 6:43 AM, while sunset is at 5:28 PM.

On the main Chhath Puja day, November 15, sunrise is expected at 6:44 AM and sunset at 5:28 PM. Devotees will offer Sandhya Arghya around sunset.

On the final day, November 16, sunrise is at 6:44 AM and sunset is at 5:27 PM. Usha Arghya will be offered around sunrise, followed by Parana.

These are sunrise and sunset times, not separate ritual muhurat timings.

Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. The festival is associated with gratitude towards the Sun for sustaining life and providing energy to the Earth.

Devotees observe strict fasting, maintain cleanliness and offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun. The rituals are traditionally believed to bring prosperity, good health and well-being to families.