{"id":8422,"date":"2025-12-07T11:02:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T05:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/?p=8422"},"modified":"2025-12-13T14:54:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T09:24:15","slug":"chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/","title":{"rendered":"Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Arghya Timings, Nahay Khay &#038; Vidhi"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-28514\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Chhath Puja 2026\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-150x85.png 150w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026.png 1640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Arghya Timings, Nahay Khay &amp; Significance<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><strong>Chhath Puja<\/strong>, also known as <em>Surya Shashthi<\/em>, is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to <strong>Lord Surya<\/strong> (Sun God) and <strong>Chhathi Maiya<\/strong> (Goddess Usha\/Shashthi). Celebrated with immense rigor and devotion, primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, it is unique as it involves no idol worship but rather direct gratitude to the Sun\u2014the source of all life.<\/p>\n<p>The festival spans four days and is famous for its strict 36-hour <em>Nirjala Vrat<\/em> (fasting without water), holy river dips, and standing in water to offer <em>Arghya<\/em> to the setting and rising sun.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #fff3e0; border-left: 5px solid #f58120; padding: 20px; margin: 20px 0;\">\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #f58120;color:#f58120\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #f58120;color:#f58120\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#%E2%98%80%EF%B8%8F_Book_Pandit_for_Chhath_Udyapan\" >\u2600\ufe0f Book Pandit for Chhath Udyapan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#Chhath_Puja_2026_The_4-Day_Schedule\" >Chhath Puja 2026: The 4-Day Schedule<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#Significance_Mythology\" >Significance &amp; Mythology<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#Key_Rituals_Traditions\" >Key Rituals &amp; Traditions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#1_The_Holy_Offerings_Prasad\" >1. The Holy Offerings (Prasad)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#2_Standing_in_Water\" >2. Standing in Water<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#3_Prostrate_Salutations_Dandavat_Pranam\" >3. Prostrate Salutations (Dandavat Pranam)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#Why_Book_Puja_Services_with_SmartPuja\" >Why Book Puja Services with SmartPuja?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/chhath-puja-2026-date-arghya-timings-vidhi\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%98%80%EF%B8%8F_Book_Pandit_for_Chhath_Udyapan\"><\/span><strong>\u2600\ufe0f Book Pandit for Chhath Udyapan<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Planning for Chhath Udyapan or need guidance on rituals? <strong>SmartPuja<\/strong> connects you with experienced Vedic Pandits for all your religious needs, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\/satyanarayan-puja\"><strong>Satyanarayan Puja<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\/griha-pravesh-puja\"><strong>Griha Pravesh<\/strong><\/a>, and family rituals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udcde Call to Book:<\/strong> <a href=\"tel:08061160400\">080-61160400<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" style=\"border-radius: 5px; background-color: #f58120; padding: 10px 20px; text-decoration: none; color: white;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\"><strong>Book Pandit Now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chhath_Puja_2026_The_4-Day_Schedule\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Chhath Puja 2026: The 4-Day Schedule<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In 2026, Chhath Puja begins on <strong>November 13 (Nahay Khay)<\/strong> and concludes on <strong>November 16 (Usha Arghya)<\/strong>. The main day of Sandhya Arghya falls on <strong>Sunday, November 15, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<table  class=\" table table-hover\" >\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"background-color: #f58120; color: white;\"><strong>Day<\/strong><\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #f58120; color: white;\"><strong>Ritual Name<\/strong><\/th>\n<th style=\"background-color: #f58120; color: white;\"><strong>Date &amp; Significance<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nahay Khay<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nov 13, 2026 (Friday)<\/strong><br \/>Devotees bathe, clean the house, and eat a single meal of Bottle Gourd (Lauki) and Rice.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Kharna (Lohanda)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nov 14, 2026 (Saturday)<\/strong><br \/>Day-long fast broken in the evening with Rasiya (Jaggery Kheer) and Roti. The 36-hour Nirjala fast begins after this.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Sandhya Arghya<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nov 15, 2026 (Sunday)<\/strong><br \/><strong>Main Chhath Puja.<\/strong> Offering Arghya to the <em>setting sun<\/em> while standing in water.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 4<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Usha Arghya<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Nov 16, 2026 (Monday)<\/strong><br \/>Offering Arghya to the <em>rising sun<\/em>. The fast concludes after this (Parana).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p><em>*Note: Timings are based on the Hindu Calendar. Sunset and Sunrise times vary by city.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Significance_Mythology\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Significance &amp; Mythology<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-28515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20-1024x559.png\" alt=\"Chhath Puja at river bank\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20-150x82.png 150w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Generated-image-1-20.png 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>Chhath Puja is deep-rooted in science and spirituality:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Karna&#8217;s Devotion:<\/strong> It is believed that <strong>Karna<\/strong>, the son of the Sun God (from Mahabharata), was the first to perform Chhath Puja. He stood in water for hours to pray to his father, gaining immense power.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Legend of Draupadi:<\/strong> The Pandavas and Draupadi also performed this puja to regain their lost kingdom.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chhathi Maiya:<\/strong> She is considered the sister of the Sun God and an incarnation of Goddess Katyayani (Devasena). Worshipping her blesses devotees with offspring and protects children from diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Rituals_Traditions\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Key Rituals &amp; Traditions<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The festival requires extreme purity and discipline.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_The_Holy_Offerings_Prasad\"><\/span><strong>1. The Holy Offerings (Prasad)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The prasad is cooked on earthen stoves (chulhas) using mango wood. The main offerings include <strong>Thekua<\/strong> (a cookie made of wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee), sugarcane, coconuts, and seasonal fruits.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Standing_in_Water\"><\/span><strong>2. Standing in Water<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Devotees stand in river or pond water for long periods during sunset and sunrise. This act helps the body absorb solar energy and activates the <em>Prana<\/em> (life force).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Prostrate_Salutations_Dandavat_Pranam\"><\/span><strong>3. Prostrate Salutations (Dandavat Pranam)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many devotees perform a prostrate march (measuring the road with their body) from their homes to the Ghats as a sign of penance and devotion.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Book_Puja_Services_with_SmartPuja\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Why Book Puja Services with SmartPuja?<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While Chhath is a personal fast, many families require Pandits for <strong>Udyapan<\/strong> (closing ceremony of the fast) or other associated rituals. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/\">SmartPuja<\/a><\/strong> connects you with verified Pandits in your city.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Available In: Bangalore | Mumbai | Delhi | Pune | Hyderabad | Chennai | Kolkata | Ahmedabad | 400+ Pujas<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background-f58120 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\"><strong>Book Pandit Now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">1. When is the main Chhath Puja (Sandhya Arghya) in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The main day of Chhath Puja, where Arghya is offered to the setting sun, is <strong>Sunday, November 15, 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-2\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">2. Is Chhathi Maiya mentioned in Puranas?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, she is identified as <strong>Devasena<\/strong> (wife of Kartikeya) or <strong>Shashthi Devi<\/strong> in the <em>Brahma Vaivarta Purana<\/em>. She protects children and grants longevity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-3\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">3. Why is Thekua important in Chhath?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Thekua is the main prasad offered to the Sun God. Made from wheat and jaggery, it is considered highly auspicious and is prepared with strict hygiene rules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Event\",\n  \"name\": \"Chhath Puja 2026\",\n  \"startDate\": \"2026-11-13\",\n  \"endDate\": \"2026-11-16\",\n  \"eventStatus\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EventScheduled\",\n  \"eventAttendanceMode\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/OnlineEventAttendanceMode\",\n  \"location\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Place\",\n    \"name\": \"India\",\n    \"address\": {\n      \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n      \"addressCountry\": \"IN\"\n    }\n  },\n  \"image\": [\n    \"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026-1024x577.png\"\n  ],\n  \"description\": \"Chhath Puja 2026 Dates, Arghya Timings, and Rituals. Celebrate Surya Shashthi with SmartPuja.\",\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/puja-services\",\n    \"price\": \"2100\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"INR\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n    \"validFrom\": \"2026-11-01\"\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chhath Puja 2026 spans from November 13 to November 16. Discover the detailed 4-day schedule, Sandhya Arghya timings, the legend of Chhathi Maiya, and how to observe this rigorous 36-hour Nirjala Vrat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28514,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5,194],"tags":[688,689,693,692,691,690,87,694],"class_list":["post-8422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-festivals","category-puja-service","tag-chhath-puja-2026","tag-chhath-puja-date","tag-chhathi-maiya-story","tag-kharna-date","tag-nahay-khay-2026","tag-sandhya-arghya-time-2026","tag-smartpuja","tag-surya-shashthi"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Chhath-Puja-2026.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8422"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28516,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8422\/revisions\/28516"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smartpuja.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}