Chhath Puja, one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to the Sun God, will be celebrated on Sunday, 15 November 2026. Observed over four days, the festival holds a special place in the traditions of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
From standing in water to offering prayers to the setting sun, Chhath Puja follows rituals that set it apart from many other Hindu festivals. But why do devotees worship both the rising and setting sun? And what is the story behind these age-old traditions?
Here is everything you need to know about Chhath Puja 2026, its history, rituals and significance.
When Is Chhath Puja In 2026? Date, Tithi And Puja Timings
Chhath Puja falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik.
In 2026, the main Chhath Puja will take place on 15 November (Sunday). However, the celebrations will continue over four days, with each day marking a different ritual.
Here is the complete Chhath Puja 2026 calendar:
Nahay Khay: 13 November 2026 (Friday)
Kharna: 14 November 2026 (Saturday)
Sandhya Arghya: 15 November 2026 (Sunday)
Usha Arghya and Parana: 16 November 2026 (Monday)
According to the New Delhi Panchang, the Shashthi Tithi will begin at approximately 11:24 pm on 14 November and end at approximately 2:01 am on 16 November.
The two most important prayer timings are linked to the Sun's movement:
Sandhya Arghya: Offered around sunset on 15 November to worship the setting sun.
Usha Arghya: Offered around sunrise on 16 November to worship the rising sun.
The exact timings vary from city to city, so devotees should check their local sunrise and sunset timings.
Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
Chhath Puja is celebrated to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
In Hindu beliefs, Surya Dev represents energy, health, prosperity and life. The Sun provides light and warmth, supports agriculture and plays an essential role in sustaining living beings.
Devotees worship the Sun God and seek blessings for the well-being, happiness and prosperity of their families.
The festival also honours Chhathi Maiya, who is believed to protect children and bless families with good health and longevity.
Chhath is also associated with discipline and purity. Devotees follow strict rules, maintain cleanliness, prepare offerings with care and observe an extended fast as part of their prayers.
The Story Behind Chhath Puja: What Do The Legends Say?
There is no single accepted account of Chhath Puja's origin, but Hindu mythology links it to several stories.
One legend connects the festival to Karna, son of Surya Dev, who is believed to have worshipped the Sun God while standing in water. Another links it to Draupadi, who reportedly observed the rituals to seek blessings during the Pandavas' exile.
A Ramayana tradition also states that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita worshipped the Sun God after returning to Ayodhya.
These are traditional mythological accounts, not established historical records of the festival's origin.
Where Is Chhath Puja Celebrated In India?
Chhath Puja has its strongest cultural roots in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
In Bihar, the festival holds particular importance and is often referred to as Chhath Mahaparv. Devotees gather along the Ganga and other rivers, ponds and designated ghats to perform the rituals.
The festival is also observed in:
Delhi: Large gatherings take place at designated ghats and water bodies, particularly in areas with Bihari and Purvanchali communities.
Jharkhand: Devotees celebrate Chhath in cities such as Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Dhanbad.
Uttar Pradesh: The festival is observed across eastern districts, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Ballia.
West Bengal: Communities in Kolkata and other cities organise Chhath celebrations near rivers and ponds.
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh: Devotees also observe the festival in several cities and towns.
Indian communities living abroad, particularly those with roots in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, also celebrate Chhath Puja.
What Do People Do During Chhath Puja? A Look At The Four Days
Chhath Puja is observed over four days, with each day following a specific set of rituals.
Day 1: Nahay Khay (13 November)
The festival begins with Nahay Khay, which involves taking a ritual bath and preparing for the fast.
Devotees clean their homes and cooking areas before preparing a simple vegetarian meal. Traditional dishes include rice, chana dal and bottle gourd.
The meal is prepared with particular care, following the rules of purity observed during the festival.
Day 2: Kharna (14 November)
The second day is known as Kharna or Lohanda.
Devotees observe a fast throughout the day and break it after sunset following prayers. They prepare offerings such as jaggery-based kheer and roti.
The prasad is first offered to the deities and then shared with family members and others.
After Kharna, devotees begin a strict fast that traditionally lasts around 36 hours without food or water. This continues until the final morning offering.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (15 November)
The third day is the main evening worship.
Devotees prepare prasad, including thekua, fruits, sugarcane and other seasonal offerings. These are arranged in bamboo baskets called soop or daura.
In the evening, families gather at riverbanks, ponds and other water bodies. Devotees observing the fast stand in the water and offer arghya to the setting sun.
Traditional Chhath songs are also sung during the gathering.
Day 4: Usha Arghya (16 November)
The final day begins before sunrise, when devotees return to the water bodies for the morning offering.
They offer arghya to the rising sun and pray for the well-being of their families.
After completing the ritual, devotees break their fast in a ceremony known as Parana. The prasad is then distributed among relatives, neighbours and other devotees.
Why Do People Enter Water Bodies During Chhath Puja?
One of the most recognisable traditions of Chhath Puja is devotees standing in rivers, ponds or other water bodies while offering prayers to the Sun.
This practice is connected to the festival's emphasis on nature and the elements that sustain life.
Water is considered an important symbol of purity and life in Hindu traditions. Standing in water while offering arghya also forms a central part of the traditional method of worshipping Surya Dev.
During Sandhya Arghya, devotees face the setting sun, while during Usha Arghya, they face the rising sun.
The ritual is generally performed at riverbanks, ponds and designated ghats. Families who cannot reach a natural water body may also make arrangements at home to observe the rituals.
Which God Do People Worship During Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is primarily dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
Surya Dev is worshipped as the source of energy and life. Devotees offer prayers to both the rising and setting sun, expressing gratitude for the natural cycle that sustains the Earth.
Chhathi Maiya, also associated with Shashthi Devi, is believed to protect children and bless families with prosperity, health and well-being.
The festival's rituals honour both deities through fasting, prayers and offerings.
When Does Chhath Puja Take Place?
Chhath Puja is celebrated twice a year according to the Hindu lunar calendar.
The two observances are:
Chaiti Chhath: Celebrated during the Chaitra month, usually in March or April.
Kartik Chhath: Celebrated during the Kartik month, usually in October or November.
Kartik Chhath is the more prominent observance and takes place on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, known as Kartik Shukla Shashthi.
In 2026, the main Kartik Chhath Puja will fall on Sunday, 15 November.
What Is The Significance Of Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja holds religious, cultural and social significance. It expresses gratitude towards nature, recognising the Sun as a source of energy and life and highlighting the importance of water and seasonal produce.
The festival also emphasises discipline through strict dietary rules, cleanliness and fasting. Its unique tradition of worshipping both the setting and rising sun recognises their role in sustaining life.
Chhath also brings families and communities together through prayers, songs and offerings while preserving regional customs and folk traditions. For devotees, it represents faith, nature, gratitude and family well-being.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
When is Chhath Puja 2026?
Chhath Puja will be celebrated on Sunday, 15 November 2026. The four-day observance runs from 13 to 16 November.
What are the four days of Chhath Puja 2026?
Nahay Khay falls on 13 November, Kharna on 14 November, Sandhya Arghya on 15 November and Usha Arghya on 16 November.
Which tithi is Chhath Puja celebrated on?
The main festival falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik.
Which gods are worshipped during Chhath Puja?
Devotees worship Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya.
Why do devotees worship the setting sun?
Chhath Puja honours both the setting and rising sun as sources of life, energy and sustenance.
Why do devotees stand in water?
Standing in water while offering arghya is a traditional part of Chhath worship. Water also represents purity and life.
How long is the Chhath Puja fast?
The strict fast traditionally lasts around 36 hours, beginning after Kharna and ending after Usha Arghya.
Where is Chhath Puja mainly celebrated?
The festival is particularly prominent in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is also celebrated in Delhi and other parts of India.
