Chhath Puja 2026 Date: Full 4-Day Schedule and Vrat Niyam

Chhath Puja 2026 date: the four-day festival begins on Friday, 13 November 2026 with Nahay Khay and ends on Monday, 16 November 2026 with Usha Arghya at sunrise. Kharna falls on Saturday, 14 November, and the main evening offering, Sandhya Arghya, is on Sunday, 15 November. These dates follow most panchangs, but always confirm the exact arghya timings with your local panchang or family priest.

If you are searching "chhath puja kab hai 2026", the short answer is that it falls about six days after Diwali, which is on 8 November 2026. Below is the full day-by-day schedule, what is usually prepared on each day, the main vrat niyam, and a few tips on planning your thekua prasad early.

Chhath Puja 2026 Dates at a Glance

• Day 1, Nahay Khay: Friday, 13 November 2026.
• Day 2, Kharna: Saturday, 14 November 2026.
• Day 3, Sandhya Arghya (evening offering): Sunday, 15 November 2026, around sunset (about 5:58 PM per some panchangs; varies by city).
• Day 4, Usha Arghya (morning offering): Monday, 16 November 2026, at sunrise (about 6:50 AM per some panchangs; varies by city).
• The nirjala fast of about 36 hours runs from after Kharna prasad until Usha Arghya.
• Diwali 2026 is on 8 November, so Chhath falls in the week after.

Chhath Puja 2026 Date and 4-Day Schedule

• Day 1, Nahay Khay: Friday, 13 November 2026
• Day 2, Kharna (Lohanda): Saturday, 14 November 2026
• Day 3, Sandhya Arghya: Sunday, 15 November 2026 (sunset around 5:58 PM in parts of Bihar; varies by city)
• Day 4, Usha Arghya and Parana: Monday, 16 November 2026 (sunrise around 6:50 AM per some panchangs; varies by city)

Sunrise and sunset times differ from city to city, so check your local panchang before heading to the ghat.

Chhath Puja 2026 Date After Diwali: Why the Gap Is Six Days

Chhath is observed on the Shashthi (sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month. Diwali falls on Amavasya, so Chhath usually arrives six days later. With Diwali on 8 November 2026, the Sandhya Arghya on Shashthi falls on 15 November.

Chhath Puja 2026 Date in Bihar: What Happens Each Day

Day 1: Nahay Khay (13 November)

The vrati (the person observing the fast) takes a holy bath, ideally in a river or pond, and the home is cleaned thoroughly. A single sattvik meal is cooked and eaten, commonly lauki (bottle gourd), chana dal and rice, made without onion or garlic.

Day 2: Kharna (14 November)

The vrati fasts through the day. In the evening, rasiya (gud ki kheer made with rice and jaggery) and roti are prepared, offered to Chhathi Maiya and then eaten as prasad. After this, the nirjala fast of about 36 hours begins. You can read more in our guide to Kharna prasad, rasiya and roti.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (15 November)

This is the busiest day in the kitchen. Thekua, kasar (rice laddoo) and other prasad are prepared, usually in the morning. In the evening, the family walks to the ghat carrying the daura and soop filled with fruits, sugarcane and thekua, and the vrati offers arghya to the setting sun.

Day 4: Usha Arghya (16 November)

Before dawn, families return to the ghat. Arghya is offered to the rising sun, prayers are made for the family's wellbeing, and the vrati breaks the fast (parana) with prasad, often thekua, ginger and water.

Chhath Puja Vrat Niyam: Common Rules Families Follow

Practices vary by family and region, but these rules are widely followed:

• Strict cleanliness of the kitchen, utensils and the person cooking
• No onion, garlic or non-vegetarian food in the home for all four days
• Prasad is cooked separately, often on a new or dedicated chulha
• The vrati usually sleeps on the floor and wears clean, unstitched or freshly washed clothes
• Prasad is not tasted before it is offered
• Nirjala fast from Kharna evening until parana after Usha Arghya

Planning Thekua Prasad Early

Thekua is the heart of Chhath prasad. Many families make it at home on the third day, and that tradition is precious. At the same time, many people living away from Bihar order extra thekua to share with relatives, neighbours and colleagues, or to send to family who cannot travel home. Follow your family's custom for what goes into the daura.

If you plan to order, do it early. Our thekua is handmade to order in traditional wooden sancha moulds, using whole wheat, natural jaggery or sulphur-free sugar and 100% pure desi ghee, with no preservatives. Because everything is made fresh, orders placed close to the festival can take longer to reach you. We ship across India, but not internationally. Combo packs and Chhath gift hampers are also available.

For the full list of what to buy, see our Chhath Puja samagri list.

Sources: SmartPuja: Chhath Puja 2026 dates and arghya timings; ShubhPanchang: Chhath Puja. Dates and rules can change, so always confirm with the official or local source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chhath Puja 2026 kab hai?

Chhath Puja 2026 runs from 13 to 16 November 2026, per most panchangs. Sandhya Arghya is on Sunday, 15 November, and Usha Arghya is on Monday, 16 November.

What is the Sandhya Arghya time on 15 November 2026?

Sunset is approximately 5:58 PM in parts of Bihar, but it varies by city. Check your local panchang for the exact time.

How many days after Diwali is Chhath Puja?

Usually six days. Diwali is on 8 November 2026 and the main Chhath arghya is on 15 November 2026.

Can I order thekua for Chhath from outside Bihar?

Yes, we deliver thekua across India. Since we make it fresh to order, we suggest ordering well before the festival. We do not ship outside India.

Plan Your Chhath Prasad With Us

May Chhathi Maiya bless your family this year. If you would like authentic, ghee-made thekua for prasad sharing or gifting, explore our thekua range or buy thekua online. Have questions about bulk orders for your family or society? Reach out through our contact page and we will help you plan.