INVC NEWS | Festival Desk : Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the Sun God, will be observed over four days from November 13 to November 16, 2026. The festival will begin with Nahay Khay on Friday, followed by Kharna on Saturday. Devotees will offer Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun on Sunday, November 15, and conclude the celebrations with Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on Monday, November 16.
Observed with deep devotion, Chhath is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The festival is especially popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Nepal, but its traditions are now followed by devotees across India and in several countries around the world.
For families preparing for the festival, the four-day calendar is particularly important because each day has a distinct ritual, dietary discipline and religious significance. Here is the complete Chhath Puja 2026 calendar, along with the important Arghya timings and the special Panchang combination on the main day.
Chhath Puja 2026: Complete Four-Day Calendar
| Date | Day | Main Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| November 13, 2026 | Friday | Nahay Khay |
| November 14, 2026 | Saturday | Lohanda and Kharna |
| November 15, 2026 | Sunday | Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya |
| November 16, 2026 | Monday | Usha Arghya and Parana |
The main Chhath observance, including the evening offering to the setting Sun, will take place on November 15. The festival will conclude the following morning after devotees offer Arghya to the rising Sun.
Day 1: Nahay Khay – November 13, Friday
Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the four-day Chhath festival. On this day, devotees, particularly those observing the fast, take a ritual bath and prepare themselves for the upcoming ceremonies.
Cleanliness and purity are central to the observance. Homes and kitchens are cleaned, and food is prepared according to traditional rules. Devotees generally eat one simple, sattvik meal during the day.
A traditional Nahay Khay meal often includes bottle gourd (lauki), chana dal and rice. The food is prepared with care, using clean utensils and ingredients associated with the festival’s customs.
This day is considered the starting point of the spiritual discipline that continues through the festival.
Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna – November 14, Saturday
The second day is known as Lohanda or Kharna. Devotees observe a fast during the day and prepare the traditional Kharna offering in the evening.
After completing the day’s rituals, the vrat is traditionally broken after sunset with prasad. A popular preparation is rice kheer made with jaggery, accompanied by roti. The exact menu and preparation methods may differ among families and regional traditions.
Kharna has special importance because the rigorous period of fasting begins after the evening meal. Many devotees undertake a nirjala vrat, traditionally observed without food or water, which continues until the Usha Arghya on the morning of November 16.
This period is commonly described as a fast of approximately 36 hours. The duration can vary slightly depending on the timing of the Kharna meal and the morning Arghya.
Day 3: Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya – November 15, Sunday
The third day is the main day of Chhath Puja. Devotees prepare offerings and visit riverbanks, ponds, lakes and designated Chhath ghats to worship the setting Sun.
The evening ritual is called Sandhya Arghya. Devotees stand in the water and offer Arghya to Surya Dev as the Sun sets. Bamboo baskets and traditional soops are filled with offerings such as thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other seasonal items.
Thekua is among the most recognisable offerings associated with Chhath. Families also prepare other traditional prasad according to their customs.
Sandhya Arghya 2026: Sunset Timings
The sunset time varies by location. For reference, the calculated timings for two major Chhath observance centres are:
- New Delhi: Approximately 5:28 PM IST on November 15.
- Patna: Approximately 5:01 PM IST on November 15.
Devotees should confirm the local sunset time and arrangements at their designated ghat before leaving for the ritual. These are location-specific astronomical timings, not a single nationwide Arghya time.
Special Panchang Combination on November 15
An important feature of the main Chhath day is the presence of Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga and Ravi Yoga, according to the New Delhi Panchang.
Both yogas are listed on November 15, 2026, from approximately 6:44 AM until 11:28 PM. The day also falls on Sunday, traditionally associated with Surya Dev, making the combination especially noteworthy for devotees observing the festival.
The Panchang also records Kartik Shukla Shashthi on the main day. According to the New Delhi calculation, Shashthi begins at approximately 11:23 PM on November 14 and ends at approximately 2:00 AM on November 16.
These combinations are part of the day’s traditional astrological calendar. The central Chhath rituals, however, remain tied to the setting and rising of the Sun. Devotees should follow their family traditions and local Panchang for ritual guidance.
Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana – November 16, Monday
The fourth and final day marks the conclusion of Chhath Puja. Devotees gather at the ghats early in the morning to offer Usha Arghya to the rising Sun.
This ritual is an expression of gratitude and devotion to Surya Dev. After offering Arghya, devotees complete the fast through Parana, following their family and regional customs.
Usha Arghya 2026: Sunrise Timings
- New Delhi: Approximately 6:44 AM IST on November 16.
- Patna: Approximately 6:07 AM IST on November 16.
The fast is traditionally concluded after the morning offering. The prasad is then distributed among family members and other devotees.
Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
Chhath Puja is dedicated to Surya Dev, the source of light, energy and life, and Chhathi Maiya, who is worshipped for the well-being and protection of children and families.
The festival is associated with prayers for good health, prosperity, family happiness and the well-being of children. Its distinctive feature is the worship of both the setting Sun and the rising Sun.
Unlike many other Hindu festivals, Chhath places a strong emphasis on personal discipline, cleanliness, simplicity and community participation. Devotees prepare traditional offerings, observe fasting rules and gather at water bodies to perform the rituals.
The festival is also known by names such as Surya Shashthi, Chhathi and Dala Chhath. Its traditions are passed down through generations, with family customs playing an important role in the way the rituals are performed.
What Makes Chhath Puja Different?
Chhath is widely recognised for its demanding fasting practices and its emphasis on purity. Preparations often begin well before the first day, with families arranging fruits, sugarcane, bamboo baskets, soops, thekua ingredients and other puja essentials.
The festival also brings communities together. Riverbanks and local ghats become gathering places where families participate in the rituals, sing traditional Chhath songs and share prasad.
The two Arghya ceremonies carry particular significance: Sandhya Arghya honours the setting Sun, while Usha Arghya welcomes the rising Sun. Together, they reflect the festival’s message of gratitude, devotion and respect for the natural forces that sustain life.
Chhath Puja 2026: Important Dates at a Glance
- November 13, Friday: Nahay Khay
- November 14, Saturday: Lohanda and Kharna
- November 15, Sunday: Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya
- November 16, Monday: Usha Arghya and Parana
Bottom Line
Chhath Puja 2026 will begin on November 13 and conclude on November 16. The main evening worship and Sandhya Arghya will take place on November 15, followed by Usha Arghya on the morning of November 16.
The presence of Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga and Ravi Yoga in the New Delhi Panchang adds an interesting astrological feature to the main day. For devotees, however, the heart of Chhath remains the same: faith, discipline, gratitude to the Sun God and prayers for the well-being of the family.
