New Delhi: Today is the third day of Chhath Mahaparva. As the evening approaches, a unique sight of faith will be seen at the ghats across the country. The fasting people will offer prayers to the setting sun and pray for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the family. Preparations for this special occasion start in homes from the morning itself. From making Prasad to decorating the puja material, every ritual has its own significance.
Thekua is considered a special prasad in Chhath Puja. Along with this, coconut, sugarcane, seasonal fruits and other worship materials are prepared. All these things are kept decorated in bamboo soup and bowls. In the evening, the devotees leave for the ghats along with family members carrying puja materials. After reaching the ghat, the devotees stand in the water and offer Arghya to the Sun God at sunset. During this time water and raw milk are offered. Suryadev and Chhathi Maiya are prayed for the happiness, peace, good health and prosperity of the family. Traditional songs of Chhathi Maiya echo on the ghats and the whole atmosphere becomes devotional.
Chhath Puja 2026: Evening Arghya timings in major cities
In Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya is offered at the time of sunset. In such a situation, it is important for the fasting people to know the exact time of sunset in their city. Today at 5:01 pm in Patna, 5:28 pm in New Delhi, 5:27 pm in Noida and Ghaziabad, 5:16 pm in Lucknow, 4:53 pm in Kolkata, 5:50 pm in Bengaluru, 5:04 pm in Ranchi, 5:01 pm in Jamshedpur, 4:54 pm in Bhagalpur, 5:57 pm in Pune, Varanasi Sunset will happen at 5:10 pm, Gorakhpur at 5:06 pm, Kanpur at 5:19 pm, Chandigarh at 5:26 pm, Meerut at 5:25 pm and Bhopal at 5:36 pm. If you are also going to offer Arghya at the ghat today, then make preparations according to the time of your city.
Correct method of offering Arghya to the setting sun
For the evening Arghya, first of all keep thekua, coconut, sugarcane, fruits and other puja materials in the bamboo soup bowl and door. Reach the ghat before sunset while singing traditional songs of Vrati Chhathi Maiya. After this, stand waist-deep in water and offer water and raw milk to the Sun God. During this time, pray for happiness, peace and prosperity of the family. The third day of Chhath Puja is completed with Sandhya Arghya, but one more important ritual of the festival remains. Arghya will be offered to the rising sun the next morning, which is called Usha Arghya. Therefore, after the completion of the evening puja, the devotees also make preparations for the morning puja.