Every year, as the Sun begins to set, thousands of devotees walk towards rivers and ponds carrying bamboo baskets filled with fruits, thekua and traditional offerings. Some stand in knee-deep water, waiting patiently to offer prayers to the setting Sun. The next morning, they return before sunrise to complete the same ritual. But why do devotees worship the Sun twice, and what makes them observe a challenging 36-hour fast?

This is the beauty of Chhath Puja, one of India's most deeply rooted festivals. Dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the four-day celebration brings together faith, family and age-old traditions. It holds special importance in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Nepal.

If you are looking for the Chhath Puja 2026 date, the festival will be observed from November 13 to November 16. From Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya, every day has a special meaning. Let's look at the traditions, the significance of the 36-hour fast and the latest arrangements being made for this year's celebrations.

Chhath Puja 2026: Dates, Four-Day Calendar and Important Rituals

Chhath Puja is celebrated during Kartik Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik. The main evening worship takes place on Shashthi, the sixth day of the lunar fortnight.

Here is the complete festival calendar:

The celebrations begin with Nahay Khay and conclude with prayers to the rising Sun. You can also refer to the Incredible India festival guide for more information about the festival's traditions and cultural importance.

Why Is Chhath Puja Celebrated? The Faith Behind Sun Worship

Chhath Puja is an expression of gratitude towards nature and the forces that make life possible.

Surya Dev is worshipped as the source of light, energy and life. Devotees seek blessings for good health, prosperity and happiness. Chhathi Maiya is also worshipped, with many families praying for the protection and long life of their children.

The festival is rooted in ancient Hindu traditions. Popular religious stories connect Sun worship with Karna from the Mahabharata and Draupadi during the Pandavas' exile. Another traditional belief associates Lord Rama and Goddess Sita with Sun worship after their return to Ayodhya.

These stories form an important part of the festival's religious traditions. However, their details belong to mythology and should not be confused with independently established historical accounts.

One of the most interesting aspects of Chhath is that devotees worship both the setting and rising Sun. The evening offering expresses gratitude for the energy that sustains life, while the morning offering welcomes a new beginning.

Chhath Puja Rituals: What Happens During the Four Days?

Each day follows a different practice. Together, these Chhath Puja rituals reflect purity, discipline, devotion and gratitude.

Day 1: Nahay Khay - Beginning with Purity

November 13 marks Nahay Khay, the first day of the festival.

Devotees clean their homes, prepare their kitchens and take a holy bath, traditionally in a river or another water body. A simple meal of rice, chana dal and pumpkin curry is commonly prepared.

Cleanliness receives special attention during this stage. Families also begin arranging the ingredients and other items needed for the remaining days.

Day 2: Kharna - When the 36-Hour Fast Begins

On November 14, devotees observe a day-long fast before performing Kharna puja in the evening.

Traditional offerings include jaggery-based kheer, roti and fruits. After the prayers, devotees consume the prasad and share it with family members.

This is followed by the beginning of the rigorous nirjala vrat. Devotees observing this fast traditionally avoid both food and water until the concluding morning prayers.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya - Prayers to the Setting Sun

November 15 is one of the most important days of the celebration.

Families head towards rivers, ponds and designated Chhath ghats carrying bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane, thekua and other offerings.

As the Sun begins to set, devotees stand in the water and offer Arghya to Surya Dev. The ghats fill with devotional songs, prayers and families celebrating together.

For many devotees, this evening is also a time to pray for their children's well-being and their family's happiness.

Day 4: Usha Arghya – Welcoming the Rising Sun

The final day, November 16, begins early. Devotees return to the ghats before sunrise to offer Arghya to the rising Sun.

After completing the prayers, they perform Parana and break their fast. Prasad is then distributed among relatives, neighbours and other devotees, bringing the four-day celebration to an end.

Understanding these traditions also helps explain why each day holds a special place in the festival.

Why Is the 36-Hour Chhath Puja Fast So Important?

The 36-hour fast is one of the most distinctive parts of the festival. Traditionally, it begins after the Kharna meal on November 14 and continues until the morning Arghya on November 16.

During this period, devotees observing the nirjala vrat abstain from both food and water. They follow the fast as an expression of devotion, discipline and dedication.

The practice is not simply about staying without food or water. It involves following the rituals with patience and observing the festival's traditional rules.

The exact duration may vary slightly depending on the local timings of Kharna and Usha Arghya. The demanding nature of this fast is also why devotees give considerable importance to preparation and discipline.

Thekua, Fruits and Bamboo Baskets: What's Special About Chhath Prasad?

Ask anyone familiar with Chhath, and they will tell you that the traditional prasad is an important part of the celebration.

Thekua is one of the most recognisable offerings. It is a traditional sweet prepared using wheat flour and jaggery.

Other common offerings include:

• Bananas and coconuts: Frequently placed in the puja baskets.
• Sugarcane: An important traditional offering during the festival.
• Gud Ki Kheer: A jaggery-based rice pudding commonly prepared for Kharna.
• Seasonal fruits: Offered according to local traditions and availability.
• Soop: Traditional bamboo winnowing baskets used to carry the offerings.

Families prepare the prasad with great care and follow traditional cleanliness practices. The ingredients may differ from one household or region to another, but the importance of purity remains central to the celebration.

Bihar Bans Firecrackers Near Ghats, Tightens Security for Chhath Puja 2026

With thousands of devotees expected at rivers and ponds, safety has become an important part of this year's preparations.

The Bihar Disaster Management Department has directed district administrations to strengthen arrangements for the four-day festival. Some of the important measures include:

• Firecracker restrictions: The sale and bursting of firecrackers are prohibited around puja ghats and water bodies.
• Private boat restrictions: Private boat operations are prohibited from Nahay Khay until the morning Arghya.
• Barricading dangerous areas: Unsafe riverbanks and ponds will be identified and barricaded.
• Rescue arrangements: Trained divers, swimmers and rescue teams will be deployed at river ghats.
• Medical assistance: Doctors, paramedics and ambulances will be available at major ghats.
• Better lighting and monitoring: Authorities have been asked to ensure adequate lighting, inspect electrical installations and operate district control rooms around the clock.

These measures aim to reduce the risk of drowning, electrical accidents and crowd-related emergencies.

It is important to note that the reported firecracker restrictions apply around puja ghats and water bodies. They should not be confused with a blanket ban across Bihar.

Chhath Puja 2026 in Delhi: Over 1,400 Ghats Being Prepared

The celebrations are not limited to Bihar anymore. Delhi has also become an important centre for Chhath, with thousands of families gathering at designated ghats every year.

This year, the Delhi government is preparing more than 1,400 Chhath ghats across the capital, compared with 1,326 last year.

One of the major developments is an approximately 11-km-long Chhath Ghat along the Munak Canal, stretching from Outer Ring Road to Inderlok. The facility is expected to accommodate thousands of devotees.

Arrangements also include changing rooms, toilets, CCTV cameras, lighting, covered tents and sanitation facilities. The Delhi government has also declared November 16 a public holiday.

These preparations are particularly important for families who celebrate Chhath in Delhi while staying connected to their traditions and hometowns.

More Than a Festival, Chhath Puja Is About Faith and Togetherness

Ask anyone who celebrates Chhath, and they will tell you that the festival is as much about family as it is about faith.

Families prepare for days, neighbours share responsibilities and entire communities come together to organise celebrations at local ghats. For people living away from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the festival is also a way to stay connected to their roots.

Whether celebrated along the Ganga or at a neighbourhood pond in Delhi, the spirit remains the same.

Every year, as the first rays of the Sun touch the water and devotees offer their final prayers, Chhath brings entire communities together. It reminds us that gratitude does not always need grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with simply acknowledging the nature and life around us.