Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Story, Kharna, Nahay Khay, Sandhya Arghya & Usha Arghya

Chhath Puja 2026 is one of the most powerful and emotionally significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. It is deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal. Every year, millions of devotees gather at river ghats to offer prayers with pure devotion, strict fasting, and disciplined rituals.

This festival is not just a religious event; it is a symbol of purity, discipline, family well-being, and gratitude toward nature. In regions like Bihar, Chhath Puja Bihar is considered the most important festival of the year, even more emotionally powerful than Diwali.

What is the Date of Chhath Puja 2026?

Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed from 13 November to 16 November 2026.

Key Dates:

• Nahay Khay: 13 November 2026 (Friday)
• Kharna: 14 November 2026 (Saturday)
• Sandhya Arghya: 15 November 2026 (Sunday)
• Usha Arghya: 16 November 2026 (Monday)

Chhath Puja 2026 happens after Diwali.

Chhath Puja 2026 Full Calendar Table

Day	Date	Ritual Name	Importance
Day 1	13 November 2026	Nahay Khay	Purification and first meal
Day 2	14 November 2026	Kharna	36-hour fasting begins
Day 3	15 November 2026	Sandhya Arghya	Evening offering to Sun God
Day 4	16 November 2026	Usha Arghya	Morning offering and fast breaking

Important Notes:

• Chhath Puja 2026 November festival is the main edition
• Kartik Chhath Puja 2026 refers to this November celebration
• Confusion about March 2026 is due to Chaiti Chhath Puja

Kharna 2026 Date

Kharna will be observed on 14 November 2026.

What is Kharna?

Kharna is the second day of Chhath Puja when devotees observe:

• Full day fasting without water
• Evening puja after sunset
• Offering of prasad to Sun God

Traditional Food in Kharna

Devotees prepare:

• Gur ki kheer (jaggery rice pudding)
• Roti made from wheat flour
• Fruits and sacred offerings

After offering food to Sun God, the entire family consumes prasad. From this moment, a strict 36-hour nirjala fast begins.

Chhath Puja 2026 in November

Chhath Puja is celebrated twice a year:

1. Kartik Chhath (Main Festival)

• November 2026
• Most widely celebrated
• Observed across Bihar and India

Is Chhath Puja 2026 After Diwali?

Yes, Chhath Puja 2026 is celebrated after Diwali. Diwali is observed on Kartik Amavasya, while Chhath Puja falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, the sixth day of the waxing phase of the moon. This gap of a few days allows devotees to prepare for the four-day festival with purity, devotion, and traditional rituals. In 2026, Chhath Puja will be observed from 13 November to 16 November, following the Diwali celebrations.

Nahay Khay 2026 Date

Nahay Khay, the first day of Chhath Puja, will be observed on 13 November 2026 (Friday). The ritual begins with devotees taking a holy bath in a river, pond, or other clean water source. After bathing, they prepare and eat a simple, pure vegetarian meal. This day marks the beginning of the four-day Chhath Puja festival and symbolizes physical and spiritual purification before the strict fasting rituals begin.

What is Sandhya Arghya?

Sandhya Arghya is the third and one of the most important rituals of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees gather at riverbanks, ponds, or other water bodies during sunset to offer Arghya (water) to the setting Sun God. Fruits, Thekua, sugarcane, coconuts, and other traditional offerings are placed in bamboo baskets and offered with prayers. The ritual expresses gratitude to Surya Dev for health, prosperity, and the well-being of the family.

What is Usha Arghya?

Usha Arghya is the final ritual of Chhath Puja and is performed at sunrise on the fourth day of the festival. Devotees offer water and prayers to the rising Sun God while standing in water. After completing the prayers, the 36-hour nirjala fast is broken by consuming the sacred prasad. Usha Arghya symbolizes new beginnings, hope, prosperity, and gratitude for the blessings received from Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Chhath Puja Prasad

The prasad prepared during Chhath Puja is made with great care, purity, and devotion. The most important offering is Thekua, a traditional sweet prepared using wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. Other common offerings include Kasar (rice flour and jaggery laddoo), seasonal fruits, bananas, coconuts, sugarcane, radish, lemons, and ginger. These offerings are placed in bamboo baskets and presented to Surya Dev during Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.

Why is Chhath Puja Celebrated Near Rivers?

Chhath Puja is traditionally celebrated near rivers, ponds, lakes, or other natural water bodies because water plays an important role in the rituals. Devotees stand in the water while offering Arghya to the setting and rising Sun, symbolizing respect for both the Sun and nature. The practice reflects the Hindu belief that the Sun, water, and earth together sustain life, making Chhath Puja a festival that celebrates harmony between humanity and nature.

Chhath Puja Story (Chhath Puja Story English)

The origin of Chhath Puja is linked to ancient Hindu mythology.

King Priyavrat and Queen Malini Story

King Priyavrat and Queen Malini had no children. They performed a sacred yajna under the guidance of sages. After blessings from divine powers, they were blessed with a son.

However, Chhathi Maiya is traditionally regarded as a form of Goddess Shashthi, who is worshipped for the protection and well-being of children.

The goddess blessed the child with life. Since then, people began worshipping Chhathi Maiya and Sun God for health, prosperity, and family happiness.

Surya Dev Connection

Sun God (Surya Dev) is considered the source:

• Life energy
• Health
• Prosperity

Chhath Puja is believed to strengthen this divine connection.

Significance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is unique because:

Spiritual Importance

• Worship of Surya Dev at sunrise and sunset
• Connection between human life and nature

Physical Discipline

• 36-hour strict fasting
• No water consumption

Purity Rituals

• Clean river bathing
• Natural offerings like fruits and sugarcane

Family Blessings

• Good health of children
• Peace and prosperity in home

Chhath Puja Rituals Step by Step

1. Nahay Khay

• First day of purification
• Devotees bathe in river
• Eat simple vegetarian food

2. Kharna

• Nirjala fast all day
• Evening prasad offering
• Start of long fasting

3. Sandhya Arghya

• Evening offering to setting sun
• Conducted at river ghats
• Most crowded and emotional ritual

4. Usha Arghya

• Morning offering to rising sun
• Final ritual
• Fast is broken after prayers

Chhath Puja in Bihar

Chhath Puja Bihar is the heart of the festival.

Major locations:

• Patna Ganga Ghats
• Bhagalpur river banks
• Darbhanga ponds and lakes
• Kosi and Gandak river regions

Entire Bihar transforms into a spiritual zone filled with:

• Devotional songs
• Clean ghats
• Massive crowds

Chhath Puja Songs (Chhath Puja Song)

Music plays a huge role in this festival.

Popular types:

• Bhojpuri Chhath songs
• Devotional folk songs
• Emotional prayer songs

Songs describe:

• Motherhood
• Sun worship
• Family devotion

Chhath Puja 2026 Diwali Connection

Chhath Puja always comes after Diwali. Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day (Shashthi) of the bright fortnight of the Kartik month, a few days after Diwali.

Gap between festivals:

• Diwali: October–November 2026
• Chhath Puja 2026: Mid November 2026

Importance of Surya Arghya

Sandhya Arghya (Evening)

• Offered to setting sun
• Symbol of gratitude

Usha Arghya (Morning)

• Offered to rising sun
• Symbol of new life and hope

Both are essential for completing the ritual.

Common Mistakes During Chhath Puja

Avoid these mistakes:

• Incorrect timing of Arghya
• Breaking fast before sunrise
• Using unclean utensils
• Ignoring purity rules
• Standing away from river during Arghya

Chhath Puja 2026 is not just a festival; it is a deep spiritual journey of faith, discipline, and gratitude. From Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya, every ritual connects human life with nature and divine energy.

Note:- The exact timings for Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya may vary slightly depending on your city and local sunrise/sunset.

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FAQs – Chhath Puja 2026