Why are the dates and timings of Chhath Puja 2026 so significant? In this article, discover the miraculous story of Chhathi Maiya, the sacred rituals of Surya Arghya, the strict Nirjala fast, and the unique traditions that make this festival the ultimate celebration of faith, love, and family prosperity.
Chhath Puja is one of the major and most sacred festivals in Sanatan Dharma, celebrated twice a year—on the Shashti Tithi (sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the months of Chaitra and Kartik. This festival involves special worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Chhath Puja is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, but today it is observed with great enthusiasm by Indians all over India and abroad. It is considered the most significant and important festival of Bihar.
What is Chhath Puja?
This four-day grand festival begins on the Chaturthi Tithi and concludes on the Saptami Tithi. However, due to variations in the lunar calendar, it sometimes ends on the Shashti Tithi as well. During this festival, devotees observe strict rules and maintain complete purity while fasting. A unique aspect of Chhath Puja is the tradition of offering Arghya (water offerings) to both the rising and setting Sun. The Sun God is considered the source of energy and life, while Chhathi Maiya is revered as the protector of children and family. Worshipping them is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being into one’s life.
Chhath Puja Date & Time 2026
Auspicious Timing (Shubh Muhurat)
Chaturthi Tithi:
• Start: 12 November 2026, from 6:10 P.M.
• End: 13 November 2026, until 8:43 P.M.
Since Chaturthi Tithi begins at 6:10 P.M. on 12 November 2026 and continues until 8:43 P.M. on 13 November 2026, the first day of Chhath Puja, Nahay-Khay, will be observed on 13 November 2026.
Panchami Tithi:
• Start: 13 November 2026, from 8:45 P.M.
• End: 14 November 2026, till 11:25 P.M.
Shashthi Tithi:
• Start: 14 November 2026, from 11:26 P.M.
• End: 16 November 2026, till 2:02 A.M.
Saptami Tithi:
• Start: 16 November 2026, from 2:03 A.M.
• End: 17 November 2026, till 4:20 A.M.
Arghya Timings
• Evening Arghya (15 November 2026): Sunset – around 5:10 P.M.
• Morning Arghya (16 November 2026): Sunrise – around 6:15 A.M.
Chhath Puja Story (Legend)
Once upon a time, there lived a powerful and virtuous king named Priyavrat and his beloved queen Malini.
They had everything they could desire—wealth, prosperity, and a peaceful kingdom—but their hearts were weighed down by one deep sorrow: they had no children. Their childlessness made them constantly unhappy. Despite worshipping many deities, performing grand yajnas, and trying every possible remedy, they remained without offspring.
One day, the revered sage Maharishi Kashyapa visited their palace. King Priyavrat and Queen Malini welcomed him with great reverence and shared their grief. Moved by their plight, Maharishi Kashyapa advised them to perform a Putreshti Yajna, a Vedic ritual meant to bless one with children.
Following his guidance, the king organized the yajna with utmost devotion and precision. Upon completion, the sage handed Queen Malini a bowl of sacred kheer (sweet rice pudding) as prasadam, instructing her to consume it for the blessing of a child.
With joy and hope, Queen Malini accepted the offering. Soon, she conceived a child, and the entire kingdom celebrated the joyful news. However, fate had something else in store. When the time for childbirth came, she gave birth to a stillborn baby.
The king and queen were shattered. Their dreams were crushed, and grief engulfed their hearts. King Priyavrat, overwhelmed with sorrow, decided to end his life. He took the lifeless infant in his arms and made his way to the cremation ground.
As he was about to perform the final rites, a divine presence appeared before him. She was Devi Shashthi—the divine consort of Lord Kartikeya and the mind-born daughter of Lord Brahma. She is widely known and worshipped as Chhathi Maiya.
Devi Shashthi stopped the king and gently said, "O King, why do you seek to end your life? I am Devi Shashthi, born from the sixth part of the universal feminine energy. I am the protector of children and the granter of offspring to childless couples. Whoever observes my vrat (fast) and worships me with devotion is surely blessed with children."
She instructed the king to observe a ritual fast on the sixth day (Shashti Tithi) of the waxing moon phase in the month of Kartik, offering her prayer with complete faith and purity. Then, with her divine touch, she revived the lifeless child, blessing him with life and health.
Overwhelmed with gratitude and wonder, King Priyavrat held his child close and bowed at the feet of the goddess. He, along with Queen Malini, observed the vrat of Devi Shashthi with utmost devotion, as instructed.
Since that day, it is believed that on Kartik Shukla Shashti, people began observing Chhath Puja and fasting in honor of Devi Shashthi, seeking blessings for their children’s well-being, longevity, and prosperity. From that ancient time to today, the festival is celebrated with unwavering devotion and faith.
Chhath Puja 2026: Rituals
This year, Chhath Puja will begin on Friday, November 13, 2026, and conclude on Monday, November 16, 2026.
The main rituals and dates of the festival for this year are as follows:
Day 1 (November 13, 2026 – Friday): Nahay-Khay
The festival begins with this day. Devotees take a holy bath and consume clean, sattvic food. A special offering of bottle gourd, chana dal, and rice is prepared and offered to Chhathi Maiya. This food is then consumed as prasad by the devotee.
Day 2 (November 14, 2026 – Saturday): Kharna
In the evening, sweet kheer made with jaggery is prepared on a traditional clay stove. The offering is first made to Chhathi Maiya, after which the vratis and family members consume it. Kharna is mainly observed on the Panchami Tithi. After this, the devotee begins a strict nirjala vrat (waterless fast) that continues until the final offering to the rising Sun.
Day 3 (November 15, 2026 – Sunday): Sandhya Arghya
On this day, which falls on the Shashthi Tithi, devotees gather at riverbanks or ponds to offer Arghya (offering) to the setting Sun with water, milk, and Ganga water. The sight of mass worship at the ghats is awe-inspiring, attracting devotees and onlookers from far and wide. This offering is made with prayers for family well-being and prosperity.
Day 4 (November 16, 2026 – Monday): Pratah Arghya
On the final day, Saptami Tithi, the rising Sun is worshipped with a final Arghya, called Pratah Arghya. After this, vratis listen to Chhathi Maiya's katha (story) and break their fast by consuming the sacred prasad. This moment is deeply spiritual and emotional, as devotees complete their rigorous worship and receive blessings from Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
Chhath Puja 2026: Benefits
Children’s Blessings and Family Well-being: This festival is especially celebrated for childbirth, the health of children, and their bright future, bringing prosperity and happiness to the family.
Fulfillment of Desires and Spiritual Purification: Chhath Puja performed with true devotion is traditionally believed to fulfill the wishes of devotees and support inner purification and spiritual upliftment.
Chhath Puja 2026: Mantra Jaap
Mantras do not hold a mandatory significance in Chhath Puja; however, if women wish, they may chant a few basic mantras while offering water and Arghya to the Sun God.
Chhath Puja Mantra for Surya Dev (Sun God)
“Om Suryaya Namah”
This mantra can be chanted while offering Arghya to the Sun God.
Chhath Puja 2026: Significance
This four-day grand festival begins on the Chaturthi Tithi and concludes on the Saptami Tithi. However, due to variations in lunar dates, the festival's observance follows the relevant lunar calendar and local traditions. During this festival, devotees observe strict discipline and complete purity, following rigorous fasting and rituals.
A unique feature of Chhath Puja is the offering of Arghya (water oblation) to both the rising and setting Sun. While Surya Dev (the Sun God) is worshipped as the source of energy and life, Chhathi Maiya is revered as the protector of children and families. Their worship is traditionally believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and well-being into one's life.
Unique Features of Chhath Puja
During the Chhath festival, women offer Arghya (sacred water offering) to the Sun God while keeping Chhathi Maiya in their thoughts and prayers. Typically, women observe a strict waterless fast (Nirjala Vrat) throughout the day for the well-being of their family, including husband, children, and household.
One of the significant customs during Chhath is the tradition of Kosi Bharna, which holds deep cultural value. A Kosi is an earthen pot filled with grains and sugarcane, which is placed at the worship site and offered to Surya Dev. This practice symbolizes auspiciousness and is associated with sacred rituals and joyful occasions in the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. In which states is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja is celebrated with deep devotion across the globe, but its grandest observance takes place especially in Eastern Uttar Pradesh—such as Ballia, Varanasi, and Azamgarh—as well as in parts of Jharkhand like Ranchi, Giridih, and Jharia, and most prominently throughout Bihar.
2. Why do we celebrate Chhath Puja?
This festival is mainly observed for the well-being of children, good health, family prosperity, longevity, and domestic harmony. Women primarily perform this fast to seek blessings for the welfare and happiness of their families.
3. How to perform Chhath Puja at home?
If you wish to perform Chhath Puja at home, you can create a small artificial pond or water setup in your courtyard or on your terrace. During the Arghya offering, you can stand in this water setup and offer prayers to the Sun God.
Even when done at home, you should follow all traditional rituals of Chhath Puja—such as Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. When observed with devotion and discipline, the home celebration is traditionally considered spiritually meaningful.
4. When will Chhath Puja start in 2026?
In 2026, Chhath Puja will begin on November 13, 2026 (Friday), with Nahay-Khay, and will conclude on November 16, 2026 (Monday) with the morning Arghya.
The four-day observance will include Nahay-Khay on November 13, Kharna on November 14, Sandhya Arghya on November 15, and Pratah Arghya on November 16.
5. Why is it called Chhath Puja?
Although Chhath Puja begins with Nahay-Khay on the Chaturthi Tithi of the Kartik Shukla Paksha, the main day of worship is observed on the Shashthi (sixth lunar day). The word “Chhath” is associated with “Shashthi,” and since the principal worship takes place on this sixth day, the festival is known as Chhath Puja.
