Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Nahay Khay, Kharna, Arghya Timings and Wishes

Chhath Puja 2026 will be celebrated from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026, with the main Chhath Puja falling on Sunday, 15 November. This four-day Hindu festival begins with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. Devotees worship Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, offering prayers for their families' health, happiness, and prosperity.

Chhath Puja is especially significant in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. The festival is known for its traditional fasting, offerings to the setting and rising Sun, and community celebrations along riverbanks and ghats.

When Is Chhath Puja in 2026?

Chhath Puja 2026 begins on 13 November and concludes on 16 November. The main Chhath Puja date is Sunday, 15 November 2026, when devotees offer Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun.

For those searching “Chhath Puja kab hai 2026” or “2026 mein Chhath Puja kab hai,” the answer is 13–16 November, with the principal worship taking place on 15 November.

Chhath Puja 2026 Date and Important Details

Chhath Puja 2026 November Dates: Complete Four-Day Schedule

The Chhath Puja date 2026 falls during the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartik. Each of the four days has a special ritual associated with purification, fasting, gratitude, and Sun worship.

This is the complete schedule for Chhath Puja 2026 Kartik, the major annual observance held after Diwali.

Chhath Puja 2026 Shubh Muhurat and Arghya Timings

The most important timings for Chhath Puja are sunset on 15 November and sunrise on 16 November.

According to Drik Panchang, the following timings apply to New Delhi, India:

Important: These are New Delhi timings. Sunrise and sunset vary by city, so devotees in Patna, Ranchi, Varanasi, Lucknow, or other locations should check their local Panchang before planning Arghya.

Chhath Puja 2026: Day-Wise Rituals and Puja Vidhi

Chhath Puja is observed through four days of traditional rituals. Each day has a distinct purpose and a special connection with devotion, purification, and gratitude towards nature.

Day 1: Nahay Khay – Friday, 13 November 2026

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the festival.

Devotees take a ritual bath, clean their homes, and prepare satvik food. A traditional meal often includes bottle gourd, rice, and chana dal, commonly called kaddu-bhaat.

The day focuses on cleanliness, purity, and preparation for the fasting rituals that follow.

Day 2: Kharna – Saturday, 14 November 2026

Kharna Chhath Puja, also known as Lohanda, is observed on the second day.

Devotees traditionally fast during the day and prepare prasad after sunset. The meal commonly includes rice kheer made with jaggery, roti, and other traditional offerings.

After consuming Kharna prasad, many adult devotees begin the traditional approximately 36-hour nirjala fast, during which they abstain from food and water until Usha Arghya.

This demanding fast is a religious practice and should not be undertaken without considering individual health and medical needs.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya – Sunday, 15 November 2026

Sandhya Arghya is the main evening ritual of Chhath Puja.

Devotees gather at rivers, ponds, and specially prepared ghats to offer Arghya to the setting Sun. Traditional bamboo baskets contain fruits, thekua, sugarcane, and other prasad.

In New Delhi, sunset on 15 November 2026 is at 5:28 PM, according to Drik Panchang.

Worshipping the setting Sun is traditionally understood as an expression of gratitude and respect for the different stages of life.

Day 4: Usha Arghya – Monday, 16 November 2026

Usha Arghya marks the conclusion of the four-day festival.

Devotees return to the ghats before sunrise and offer prayers to the rising Sun. The ritual represents hope, renewal, and the beginning of a new day.

In New Delhi, sunrise on 16 November 2026 is at 6:44 AM.

After completing the morning Arghya, devotees conclude the fast through Parana and distribute prasad among family members and others.

Chhath Puja Prasad and Puja Samagri

Traditional offerings are an important part of Chhath Puja. Families prepare prasad with care and follow customs passed down through generations.

Common items include:

• Thekua, a traditional sweet prepared using wheat flour and jaggery or sugar.

• Bananas, coconuts, and seasonal fruits.

• Sugarcane stalks.

• Rice, jaggery, and ingredients for Kharna kheer.

• Bamboo baskets or soop for carrying offerings.

• Diyas, incense, flowers, and other traditional puja materials.

• Water or milk for Arghya, depending on family customs.

The preparation and arrangement of these offerings are an important expression of devotion, simplicity, and community participation.

Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated? Meaning and Significance

Chhath Puja is celebrated to worship Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya and express gratitude for sunlight, nature, life, and well-being.

People searching “Chhath Puja kyu manaya jata hai” or “Chhath Puja kyon manaya jata hai” can understand its significance through the following traditions.

1. Gratitude Towards Surya Dev

The Sun is essential for life on Earth. Chhath Puja expresses thankfulness for sunlight and its importance to nature, agriculture, and daily life.

2. Worship of Chhathi Maiya

Chhathi Maiya is worshipped as a protective mother deity in regional traditions. Devotees seek blessings for family happiness, children's well-being, and prosperity.

3. Importance of Discipline and Devotion

Traditional fasting and rituals encourage self-discipline, dedication, and spiritual commitment.

4. Respect for Nature

Chhath Puja highlights the connection between people and the natural environment through worship near rivers, ponds, and other water bodies.

5. Family and Community Unity

Relatives, neighbours, and community members often work together to prepare prasad, decorate ghats, and organise celebrations.

Chhath Puja Story: Traditional Beliefs and Legends

The Chhath Puja story is connected with different regional traditions and religious narratives.

One popular belief associates the festival with Karna, the son of Surya in the Mahabharata. According to traditional accounts, Karna worshipped the Sun and offered prayers while standing in water.

Other folk narratives connect Chhath worship with the Pandavas and Draupadi, who are believed to have observed Sun-related rituals during difficult periods.

Devotees also worship Chhathi Maiya, who is associated with children's protection and family welfare in folk traditions.

These stories are part of the festival's cultural and religious heritage rather than independently established historical events.

Chaiti Chhath Puja 2026 Date in Bihar

Chhath Puja is observed twice a year in many traditions: Chaiti Chhath in the Hindu month of Chaitra and Kartik Chhath in Kartik.

Chaiti Chhath Puja 2026 was observed in Bihar from 22 March to 25 March 2026.

Kartik Chhath is the more widely celebrated observance and falls from 13 to 16 November 2026.

Chhath Puja 2026 and Diwali: How Are the Festivals Connected?

Diwali and Chhath Puja are celebrated close together during the Hindu month of Kartik.

In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, 8 November, while Chhath Puja begins on Friday, 13 November.

While Diwali is associated with lights and Lakshmi Puja, Chhath is devoted to worshipping Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya through fasting and Arghya rituals.

Chhath Puja Holiday in UP 2026 and School Holiday List

The Chhath Puja holiday depends on state government notifications, school calendars, and institutional policies.

For Uttar Pradesh, the published 2026 government holiday calendar lists 15 November 2026 (Sunday) as a restricted holiday for Chhath Puja. It should not be described as a statewide gazetted holiday.

In Bihar, the official state holiday calendar lists Chhath Puja observances on 15 and 16 November 2026.

Chhath Puja School Holiday List 2026

Note: Students and parents should confirm the Chhath Puja holiday through their school's official notice. A government restricted holiday does not automatically mean every school will remain closed.

Chhath Puja Wishes and Happy Chhath Puja 2026 Messages

Sharing Chhath Puja wishes is a way to express happiness, devotion, and gratitude during the festival.

Happy Chhath Puja Wishes in English

1. Happy Chhath Puja 2026! May Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya bless your family with happiness, peace, and prosperity.

2. Wishing you a joyful Chhath Puja filled with devotion, gratitude, and togetherness.

3. May the blessings of the rising Sun bring hope, happiness, and positive beginnings into your life. Happy Chhath Puja!

4. On this auspicious occasion, may your home be filled with love, harmony, and good health.

5. Happy Chhath Puja! May this sacred festival strengthen your faith and bring joy to your family.

Chhath Puja Wishes in Hindi

1. छठ पूजा की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ! सूर्य देव और छठी मैया आपके परिवार में सुख, शांति और समृद्धि बनाए रखें।

2. छठ महापर्व के पावन अवसर पर आपके जीवन में खुशियों और नई उम्मीदों का प्रकाश बना रहे।

3. छठी मैया का आशीर्वाद आपके परिवार पर सदैव बना रहे। छठ पूजा 2026 की शुभकामनाएँ!

4. उगते सूर्य की किरणें आपके जीवन में नई ऊर्जा और सफलता लेकर आएँ। जय छठी मैया!

5. आस्था, श्रद्धा और पवित्रता के महापर्व छठ पूजा की आपको और आपके परिवार को शुभकामनाएँ।

Chhath Puja Quotes in Hindi

• "छठ पूजा हमें प्रकृति के प्रति आभार और जीवन में अनुशासन का महत्व सिखाती है।"

• "डूबते और उगते सूर्य को प्रणाम करना जीवन के हर पड़ाव का सम्मान करना है।"

• "छठ महापर्व आस्था, एकता और परिवार के प्रेम का सुंदर प्रतीक है।"

• "सूर्य की हर नई किरण आशा और नई शुरुआत का संदेश देती है।"

These original messages can be shared as Happy Chhath Puja wishes in Hindi, family greetings, social media captions, and festival cards.

Chhath Puja Images, Photos, Backgrounds and Drawing Ideas

A Chhath Puja image commonly shows devotees offering Arghya, traditional bamboo baskets, riverside ghats, diyas, and the golden light of sunrise or sunset.

Happy Chhath Puja Image and Photo Ideas

A Chhath Puja ka photo or greeting design can feature the message "Happy Chhath Puja" with sunrise imagery and traditional offerings.

Students looking for a Chhath Puja drawing can create an illustration of the Sun rising above a river, a decorated ghat, and devotees holding bamboo baskets.

For school competitions, use simple outlines, balanced colours, and a short message such as "Respect Nature, Celebrate Chhath Puja."

Conclusion

Chhath Puja 2026 will begin on 13 November with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna on 14 November, Sandhya Arghya on 15 November, and Usha Arghya on 16 November. The festival celebrates devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya while highlighting gratitude towards nature, family unity, discipline, and traditional customs.

Whether you are checking the Chhath Puja date, preparing traditional offerings, or sharing Happy Chhath Puja wishes, the four-day celebration is an opportunity to understand and appreciate India's cultural heritage. Always refer to local sunrise and sunset timings when planning Arghya rituals.