Chhath Puja 2026: Four Sacred Days

Chhath Puja runs from 13–16 November 2026. The festival honours the Sun God, with offerings to both the setting and rising sun.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

November 13: Nahay Khay

The first day centres on purification, including a ritual bath and cleaning the home. Families prepare for the days of worship ahead.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

November 14: Kharna

On Kharna, devotees keep a day-long fast and break it in the evening after worship. Kheer and fruit are offered and the prasad is shared with family.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: RedSaurb / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

November 15: Sandhya Arghya

Devotees gather at the water’s edge to offer arghya to the setting sun. This is the evening observance on the festival’s third day.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

November 16: Usha Arghya

The final morning brings offerings to the rising sun. Devotees then end their fast and share prasad with family and neighbours.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Sntshkumar750 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Thekua Is Part Of The Celebration

Thekua is one of the traditional sweets associated with Chhath. If you’re visiting, try it respectfully rather than treating a family’s offerings as a food display.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Look Out For The Kosi Ritual

On the third night, some celebrations feature sugarcane canopies with lamps and prasad. Incredible India describes this as the Kosi festival.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Decentgirlnkt123 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Where To See The Rituals

Digha Ghat in Patna and Assi Ghat in Varanasi are known Chhath locations. Check 2026 access arrangements and use the locally managed viewing areas rather than assuming every riverbank is open.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: AajeevSingh01 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Be A Guest, Not An Obstacle

Give worshippers space, keep access routes clear and ask before taking close-up photos. You can watch respectfully without entering the water.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Coplanar / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Save The Four-Day Chhath Calendar

Keep 13 November for Nahay Khay, 14 for Kharna, 15 for Sandhya Arghya and 16 for Usha Arghya. Check local arrangements before heading to a ghat.

Archive festival photo — not Chhath 2026. Photo: Vkumarv / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0