Chhath Puja 2026: Nahay Khay, Kharna and Arghya Dates, 4-Day Vidhi and Rules
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Chhath Puja 2026 dates: Nahay Khay 13 November, Kharna 14 November, Sandhya Arghya 15 November and Usha Arghya 16 November. The four-day vidhi, rules and prasad.
Chhath Puja 2026 runs from 13 to 16 November. It is a four-day festival devoted to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The main day is Sandhya Arghya, on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
**Key Takeaways** - Nahay Khay: Friday, 13 November | Kharna: Saturday, 14 November - Sandhya Arghya: Sunday, 15 November | Usha Arghya: Monday, 16 November - After the evening of Kharna comes a waterless fast of about 36 hours - The arghya timing depends on your city's sunset and sunrise - One or two websites list these dates a day later, so cross-check with your local panchang
Chhath Puja 2026 Dates
| Day | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Nahay Khay | Friday, 13 November | Bathing, cleaning the house and a simple meal |
| Day 2: Kharna | Saturday, 14 November | Fast through the day, jaggery kheer and roti as prasad in the evening |
| Day 3: Sandhya Arghya | Sunday, 15 November | Arghya to the setting sun |
| Day 4: Usha Arghya | Monday, 16 November | Arghya to the rising sun, then parana |
The exact arghya time is set by the sunset and sunrise in your city that day. To plan when to reach the ghat, check your city's sunset and sunrise on the panchang page.
Why Chhath Matters
Chhath is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. It is worship of Surya, the visible deity, and a prayer to Chhathi Maiya (Shashthi Devi) for children's wellbeing and the family's protection. It is especially celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and people from these regions now observe it across India and abroad. For Surya worship, see also the Surya aarti and the Om Suryaya Namah mantra.
The Four Days
### Day 1: Nahay Khay Devotees bathe in a river or pond, clean the house and eat a simple sattvic meal, traditionally bottle gourd with rice and dal.
### Day 2: Kharna After fasting without water all day, devotees worship Surya Dev in the evening and then eat prasad of jaggery kheer and roti. A waterless fast of about 36 hours begins after this.
### Day 3: Sandhya Arghya Fruit, thekua and other prasad are arranged in a bamboo soop or basket and the family goes to the ghat. Devotees stand in the water and offer arghya to the setting sun.
### Day 4: Usha Arghya Devotees reach the ghat before sunrise and offer arghya to the rising sun. The fast is then broken after sharing the prasad.
Main Rules of Chhath
- Purity is observed with special care throughout. Salt, onion and garlic are not used in making the prasad.
- The prasad is traditionally made on a clay stove with mango wood, though this depends on family custom.
- Thekua, seasonal fruit, sugarcane and coconut are especially part of the Chhath offering.
- Look after your health during the long waterless fast. Unwell or elderly devotees can consult a doctor and family.
Preparing After Diwali
Chhath comes just days after Diwali. For the Diwali dates and puja, read the Diwali 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 runs from 13 to 16 November: Nahay Khay on 13, Kharna on 14, Sandhya Arghya on 15 and Usha Arghya on 16 November.
How long is the Chhath fast?
The festival lasts four days. After the evening of Kharna a waterless fast of about 36 hours is kept, ending after Usha Arghya.
Whom is worshipped in Chhath Puja?
Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya (Shashthi Devi).
How is Chhath prasad made?
The prasad includes thekua, fruit and jaggery kheer, made with purity and without salt, onion or garlic.