Chhath Puja 2026: Dates, Fasting Rules and Traditions

Why do Chhath devotees offer prayers to the Sun not once, but twice, first at sunset and then again at sunrise? Why does a festival begin with a simple meal and lead into one of the most demanding fasts observed in Hindu traditions? Chhath Puja is built around these meaningful rituals. Dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, the four-day festival brings families together through fasting, traditional food, prayers and offerings. In 2026, the celebrations will take place from November 13 to 16, with each day following a distinct ritual.





Chhath Puja will be observed from November 13 to November 16, 2026. Each day has a separate ritual, leading devotees towards the main evening and morning offerings.

• November 13, Friday: Nahay-Khaay
• November 14, Saturday: Kharna
• November 15, Sunday: Sandhya Arghya
• November 16, Monday: Usha Arghya and Parana

The main evening offering takes place on November 15, while the festival concludes with prayers to the rising Sun on November 16.





The first day, Nahay-Khaay, sets the tone for the entire festival. Devotees clean their homes, prepare the puja area and take a ritual bath, sometimes in a river or other sacred water body. The person observing the fast then prepares a simple meal, commonly consisting of rice, chana dal and pumpkin curry. Traditional households often prepare the food in clean utensils and follow strict rules of purity. The meal is first offered as prasad before being eaten.

Kharna is the second day of Chhath Puja. Devotees observe a fast during the day and prepare prasad in the evening after sunset. The traditional offering often includes jaggery-based kheer and roti, sometimes cooked on an earthen stove. After offering the food to Chhathi Maiya, devotees eat the prasad and begin the longer nirjala fast, which continues until the final morning rituals. This demanding observance is one of the reasons Chhath is known for its discipline and devotion.

The third day is the main evening observance, Sandhya Arghya. Families visit rivers, ponds and specially prepared Chhath ghats carrying bamboo baskets filled with thekua, fruits, sugarcane and other offerings. Devotees stand in water and offer arghya to the setting Sun, praying for the well-being of their families and children. The sight of rows of devotees offering prayers as daylight fades is among the most recognisable moments of Chhath Puja.


The fourth and final day is Usha Arghya, when devotees return to the ghats before sunrise. They offer water and prayers to the rising Sun, completing the two-part worship of the Sun God. After the ritual, they receive blessings, share prasad with family members and break their fast through parana. The morning brings relief after hours of fasting, but it also carries a feeling of gratitude and fulfilment for those who have completed the observance.


Chhath preparations involve more than arranging food for the puja. Thekua, a traditional wheat-flour sweet, is among the most familiar offerings, along with seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconuts and rice-based sweets. These are placed in bamboo baskets called soop and daura and carried to the ghats. Many families prepare the offerings at home while following traditional rules of cleanliness. The use of natural materials and seasonal produce gives the festival its distinct cultural character.


Chhath Puja is dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. In Hindu belief, the Sun is associated with life, energy and nourishment, while Chhathi Maiya is worshipped for the well-being and long life of children. Devotees observe the fast with prayers for family happiness, health and prosperity. The festival also teaches discipline, gratitude and respect for nature. Although especially popular in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhath is now celebrated by communities across India and abroad.

Chhath Puja is much more than four days of fasting. Every stage, from cleaning the home on Nahay-Khaay to offering prayers at sunrise, carries a place in the tradition. The setting Sun receives prayers just as the rising Sun does, making the festival a reminder of gratitude throughout life's changing phases.

For devotees, the final Usha Arghya is not simply the end of a fast. It is the moment when days of preparation, discipline and devotion come together in one prayer for the happiness and well-being of their families.


Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.