Kartik Shukla Shashthi
Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is the great festival of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP and Nepal: four days of austere worship of the Sun god Surya and Chhathi Maiya, giving thanks for life and seeking wellbeing. Its main day is the sixth of bright Kartik.
2026
Sunday, 15 November 2026
2027
Thursday, 4 November 2027
The day at a glance
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Significance
It is one of the few festivals worshipping the setting Sun as well as the rising: gratitude for the source of all life and energy. The vrat is among the most demanding, kept with great purity and devotion, often by women.
How Chhath Puja is observed
Over four days devotees keep a rigorous, long fast (often 36 hours without water), stand in rivers and ponds at sunset and sunrise to offer arghya to the Sun, and prepare thekua and fruit offerings.
Puja Muhurat
Chhath’s two arghya offerings are made to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) on the main day and to the rising sun (Usha Arghya) the next morning.
Timings for Ujjain
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FAQ
Why is the setting Sun worshipped on Chhath?
Chhath honours both the setting and the rising Sun: a rare reverence for the day’s decline as well as its dawn, in gratitude for all life.
How demanding is the Chhath fast?
Very. The main vrat is often kept around 36 hours without food or water, with standing worship in water at dusk and dawn.
Where is Chhath most celebrated?
In Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the Terai of Nepal, and now by their communities everywhere.
Around the same season
Plan around Chhath Puja
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