ChurkiChhath Puja 2026: Dates, Sandhya and Usha Arghya Time
Chhath Puja 2026 runs from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026. Sandhya Arghya (the evening offering) is on Sunday, 15 November at sunset, about 5:27 PM in New Delhi, and Usha Arghya (the morning offering) is on Monday, 16 November at sunrise, about 6:44 AM.
Key timings (New Delhi, IST)
| 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 ≈ 5:27 PM |
| Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana | Monday, 16 November 2026, sunrise ≈ 6:44 AM |
| Shashthi tithi | 14 Nov, 11:24 PM → 16 Nov, 2:01 AM |
| Saptami tithi | 16 Nov, 2:01 AM → 17 Nov, 4:20 AM |
The four days of Chhath
Chhath is a four-day festival for Surya (the Sun) and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal, and by families from these regions across India and abroad. The key day is Shashthi of the bright half of Kartik, six days after Diwali.
- Nahay-Khay (13 November): a holy bath, a clean home and a simple sattvic meal, traditionally with bottle gourd (lauki) and rice.
- Kharna or Lohanda (14 November): a full day of fasting, broken after sunset with kheer and roti (the Kharna prasad). The 36-hour waterless fast begins after this.
- Sandhya Arghya (15 November): the devotee stands in water at a river, pond or ghat and offers arghya to the setting Sun.
- Usha Arghya (16 November): arghya to the rising Sun, after which the fast is broken (Parana).
Arghya timing for 2026
Shashthi tithi runs from 11:24 PM on 14 November to 2:01 AM on 16 November, so it is present for the whole of 15 November, including sunset. That makes 15 November the day of Sandhya Arghya. Saptami begins at 2:01 AM on 16 November and is running at sunrise, so Usha Arghya is on 16 November.
In New Delhi the Sun sets at about 5:27 PM on 15 November and rises at about 6:44 AM on 16 November. Devotees usually reach the water well before sunset and before sunrise so the offering is made as the Sun touches the horizon.
Your city's sunrise and sunset
Arghya is tied to the Sun, so use your own local sunset and sunrise, not New Delhi's. Cities in the east, such as those in Bihar and Jharkhand, see the Sun earlier than Delhi. Open the Churki Panchang and set your location to get exact sunrise and sunset for the day.
What is offered
The offering (soop or daura, a bamboo tray) usually holds thekua, seasonal fruits such as banana, coconut and citrus, sugarcane, and lamps. The food is prepared in a clean kitchen without onion or garlic, and many families cook on an earthen stove. Practices vary by region and family, so follow your own tradition.
Fasting note
The 36-hour fast is without water. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, ask your doctor first and take extra care while standing in water in cold weather.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chhath Puja 2026?
Chhath Puja is from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November 2026. The main Arghya days are 15 and 16 November.
What is the Sandhya Arghya time in 2026?
On Sunday, 15 November 2026 at sunset, which is about 5:27 PM in New Delhi. Use your own city's sunset.
What is the Usha Arghya time in 2026?
On Monday, 16 November 2026 at sunrise, which is about 6:44 AM in New Delhi. Use your own city's sunrise.
When is Kharna in 2026?
Kharna (Lohanda) is on Saturday, 14 November 2026, the day before Sandhya Arghya.
How long is the Chhath fast?
The fast lasts about 36 hours without water, from the evening of Kharna until the morning Arghya on the fourth day.
More festival guides
Times are for New Delhi in Indian Standard Time and computed from real Sun and Moon positions (Lahiri ayanamsha). Other cities differ in sunrise, sunset and moonrise; traditions differ too, so confirm puja timing with your local pandit.