The dates for the sacred four-day observance of Chhath Mahaparv, renowned for its intense austerity, devotion, and strict rules of purity, have been slated for November 2026. The extended religious observance will begin on November 13 and run through November 16, dedicated to the worship of Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God, Surya Dev. Regarded in traditional religious beliefs as one of the most challenging fasts, the observance requires fasting women to endure an unbroken 36-hour waterless fast. The grand festival is also commonly known across different regions by various traditional names, including Surya Shashthi, Chhath, Chhathi, Chhath Parv, Dala Puja, and Dala Chhath. Devotees believe that undertaking this fast secures long life and happiness for their children, alongside bringing prosperity, peace, and well-being to the entire household.
Complete Schedule and Key Dates for Chhath Puja 2026
Each day of this four-day observance features dedicated rituals and distinct religious significance. The complete calendar for the festival in 2026 is outlined below
- Nahay-Khay: Scheduled for November 13, 2026, marking the inaugural purification day.
- Kharna: Set for November 14, 2026, representing the second day of preparation.
- Sandhya Arghya: Taking place on November 15, 2026, for the evening offerings to the setting sun.
- Usha Arghya and Paran: Concluding on November 16, 2026, with morning offerings to the rising sun and breaking of the fast.
Day One: Nahay-Khay Sets the Stage for Sacred Austerity
The four-day festival formally begins on November 13, 2026, with the traditional ritual of Nahay-Khay. On this opening morning, fasting women awake early to take a purificatory bath and dress in fresh, clean garments before offering holy water to Surya Dev. Following the morning prayer, a strictly satvik meal is prepared without the inclusion of any garlic or onion. The traditional meal consumed on this day consists of kaddu ki sabzi, bottle gourd cooked with Bengal gram lentils, and bhat, or boiled rice, which is eaten by the devotee before other family members partake in it as prasad.
Day Two: Kharna and the Start of the 36-Hour Waterless Fast
The second day of the festival, known as Kharna, falls on November 14, 2026. Fasting women observe an unbroken daytime fast and conduct dedicated evening prayers once dusk settles. Following the worship, a special pudding prepared from jaggery, rice, and milk is consumed as sacred prasad. The consumption of salt remains entirely banned during the Kharna meal. Once this evening offering is eaten, the intense 36-hour nirjala fast begins, during which the devotees refrain from consuming even a drop of water until the final morning rituals conclude.
Day Three: Sandhya Arghya Offered to the Setting Sun
The third phase of the festival takes place on November 15, 2026, featuring the first primary offering known as Sandhya Arghya. On this evening, devotees make their way to riverbanks, ponds, and water bodies carrying decorated bamboo baskets and winnows laden with harvest fruits and offerings. Fasting women step waist-deep into the water to offer arghya to the setting sun, chanting traditional hymns and seeking divine blessings for the long life of their offspring and the general prosperity of their lineage.
Day Four: Usha Arghya and Paran Mark the Grand Conclusion
The fourth and concluding day of Chhath, known as Usha Arghya, will take place at dawn on November 16, 2026. Devotees assemble back in the water before daybreak, waiting for the first rays of the rising sun to grace the horizon. As Surya Dev ascends, the final arghya is poured into the waters with deep reverent chants. Immediately following these dawn prayers, fasting women consume water and traditional foods to break their 36-hour fast in the ritual known as paran, bringing the grand annual festival to a successful finish.
