Chhath Puja 2026: Starting from 13th November, Chhath Mahaparva will continue till 16th November. Know the date, worship method and importance of Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.
Chhath Puja 2026: Chhath, the great festival of Surya worship, is starting from Friday, 13th November. Chhath festival is celebrated for four days. Different religious traditions and worship methods are followed every day in this festival. Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshiped in the festival of Chhath. During this time, those observing fast follow purity, restraint and strict rules.
Chhath festival will be celebrated from 13 to 16 November
Chhath Puja starts with Nahay-Khay. After this, the fast ends with Kharna on the second day, Sandhya Arghya on the third day and Usha Arghya on the fourth day. During Chhath, devotees observe waterless fast for about 36 hours. This year Chhath Mahaparva will be celebrated from 13 November to 16 November 2026.
What is the importance of Chhath Puja?
Chhath Mahaparva is a major festival of folk faith that lasts for four days. During this time, Sun God and Chhathi Maiya are worshipped. The fast follows strict rules and prays for the happiness and prosperity of the family, long life and prosperity of the children.
On the day of Kartik Shukla Shashthi, Arghya is offered to the setting sun after reaching the banks of river, pond or other water bodies in the evening. During this time, fruits, thekua, coconut, reed and other puja materials are decorated in bamboo soup.
The next day i.e. on the morning of Kartik Shukla Saptami, Arghya is offered to the rising sun. After this, the devotees end their Nirjala fast by doing Parana.
In this festival which lasts for four days, the devotees worship with purity, restraint and devotion. During Chhath, family and community members come together and worship at the ghats.
Complete 4 day calendar of Chhath Puja 2026
November 13, Friday – Nahay-Khay
Chhath Mahaparva starts with Nahay-Khay. On this day, fasting people take bath in the morning, clean the house and prepare satvik food.
On the day of Nahay-Khay, rice, gram dal and pumpkin curry is usually prepared. After consuming food, the devotees start following the strict rules and fasts of Chhath.
14 November, Saturday- Kharna
Kharna is celebrated on the second day of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees keep fast from morning till evening. After worshiping in the evening, prasad of jaggery kheer and roti is taken.
After Kharna, the devotees enter into a waterless fast for about 36 hours. During this period food and water are not consumed.
15th November, Sunday – Evening Arghya
The third day of Chhath Mahaparva is considered very important. On this day, devotees reach the river, pond or Chhath Ghat in the evening and offer Arghya to the setting sun.
Bamboo soup is garnished with seasonal fruits, thekua, coconut, reed and other offerings. By worshiping Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, wishes are made for the happiness, prosperity of the family and the well-being of the children.
16 November, Monday- Usha Arghya and Paran
On the last day of Chhath Mahaparva, devotees reach Chhath Ghat in the morning before sunrise. The rising sun is worshiped by offering Arghya.
After Usha Arghya, Vrati Parana is performed and the waterless fast of about 36 hours ends. With this, the four-day long Chhath festival ends.
What are the ingredients of Chhath Puja?
Thekua, fruits, coconut, reed, banana, sugarcane, soup, daura and other puja materials are mainly used in Chhath Puja. The puja material is arranged in bamboo soup and tour and taken to the ghat.