Chhath Puja 2026 Date Tithi Muhurat and Arghya Timings

Thousands of devotees gather at the banks of the Ganga in Patna as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. The chhath puja 2026 date tithi muhurat determines when families across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh start their strict four-day fast. You will find all the exact timings, ritual requirements, and tithi calculations for this solar festival right here.

Quick Takeaways

• The festival begins with Nahay Khay on November 14, 2026, and ends on November 17.
• Arghya is offered to the setting sun on the third day and the rising sun on the fourth.
• Devotees follow a 36-hour nirjala fast to honor Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
• Specific tithi timings determine the exact start of the Kharna and Sandhya Arghya rituals.

Why This Matters

Chhath Puja stands as one of the most rigorous and ancient Vedic festivals dedicated to Surya Dev. It is a time when the atmosphere carries a sense of purity that few other festivals can match. According to Vayu Purana 2.1.20, the worship of the sun during the Kartika month brings mental peace and physical health to the practitioner. This period marks a celestial alignment where solar energy is most beneficial for the human body. In places like Vrindavan, the Yamuna ghats see a massive influx of devotees who offer water and milk to the sun god. While many associate this with Bihar, the tradition has spread to every corner of India where water bodies are present. This festival is unique because it honors both the setting and the rising sun, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. The festival date serves as a reminder of our connection to nature and the sustainment of life on earth. Devotees often use specific beads during their pre-festivity prayers to maintain focus. For more on spiritual tools, read our tulsi mala original guide to understand how these beads aid in concentration during solar mantras.

Timings and Chhath Puja 2026 Date Tithi Muhurat Overview

The calculation of the chhath puja 2026 date tithi muhurat follows the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically the Kartika month. The Shashti Tithi is the core of this celebration, but the rituals span four distinct days. Each day requires specific panchang information to ensure the offerings reach the deity at the right moment. The chhath timing for the evening Arghya is critical, as it must occur exactly during the sunset window. For 2026, the sunset is expected at approximately 5:23 PM in Northern India. Devotees should arrive at the riverbanks at least two hours early to secure a spot and prepare their offerings. The morning Arghya on the final day happens at sunrise, around 6:45 AM, marking the end of the fast. These timings vary slightly based on your geographic location, so checking a local festival date chart is helpful. The purity of the materials used in the puja is non-negotiable. Many families choose to gift silver items during this time to mark the auspicious occasion. You can find a Lakshmi Ganesha Pure Silver Coin to keep in your puja thali or to give to the Vratin. Using authentic items ensures the sanctity of the rituals performed under the open sky.

Day 1: Nahay Khay

On November 14, 2026, the first day of the festival begins with a holy dip in a river or pond. The Vratin, or the person observing the fast, eats only one meal on this day. This meal typically consists of bottle gourd (lauki) and rice cooked in a soil stove with mango wood. The focus is on internal and external cleansing. Every corner of the house is scrubbed to remove impurities before the deity enters the home.

Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna

The second day falls on November 15, 2026. On this day, the Vratin observes a fast for the entire day without water. In the evening, after sunset, a special prasad of jaggery-based kheer and rotis is prepared. This is the last meal the devotee consumes until the final morning of the festival. It is a silent ritual where the devotee eats alone in a room, after which the prasad is distributed among family and friends.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

November 16, 2026, is the main day of Chhath Puja. The entire day is spent preparing the "Daura" or bamboo baskets filled with seasonal fruits, Thekua, and sugarcane. In the evening, the family walks to the water body. The Vratin stands in the water and offers the first Arghya to the setting sun. This is a moment of deep devotion where the community sings traditional folk songs to Chhathi Maiya.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana

The final day on November 17, 2026, concludes the mahaparv. Devotees return to the riverbank before dawn. As the first rays of the sun appear, the second Arghya is offered. After the offering, the Vratin breaks the fast by consuming ginger and water, followed by the puja prasad. This marks the completion of the 36-hour waterless fast and the beginning of celebrations.

Essential Ritual Checklist and Offerings

• Bamboo Baskets (Soop and Daura): These must be new and woven by hand.
• Thekua Prasad: Made using whole wheat flour, jaggery, and dry fruits fried in pure ghee.
• Seasonal Fruits: Include pomelo (Tababi), sugarcane with leaves, banana bunches, and coconut.
• Saffron and Sandalwood: For marking the forehead and the offerings during the sunset ritual.
• Clay Lamps (Deepak): At least 5-7 lamps to be lit on the riverbank.
• Holy Water: Gangajal or water from a sacred river is used for the Arghya.
• Spiritual Jewelry: Many wear a Premium and Authentic Rudraksha Mala & Panch Mukhi Rudraksha Bracelet Combo - Blessed in Kashi to stay connected to Shiva while worshipping the Sun.

What is the exact date, Tithi, and Muhurat for Chhath Puja 2026?

The exact date for the main day of Chhath Puja in 2026 is Monday, November 16. This day corresponds to the Kartika Shukla Shashti Tithi in the Hindu calendar. The Shashti Tithi is expected to begin on the morning of November 16 and conclude on the morning of November 17. The most critical muhurat for devotees is the Sandhya Arghya, which occurs during the Pradosh Kaal at sunset. In the year 2026, the sunset on November 16 will happen around 5:23 PM. For the Usha Arghya on the following day, November 17, the sunrise muhurat is approximately 6:45 AM. These timings are central to the Vedic tradition of solar worship. It is always recommended to consult a local priest or a traditional Panchang for the exact minute-by-minute calculations based on your specific city or village. Small variations in sunrise and sunset times occur as you move from East to West across the country. Following the precise Tithi ensures that the energy of the sun is captured effectively during the ritual offerings. For those maintaining a strict prayer routine leading up to these dates, learning about tulsi mala care can help keep your prayer beads pure for the occasion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Silver or Steel: Traditional offerings should only be kept in bamboo or brass vessels.
• Salt Consumption: No salt should be consumed during the preparation of any prasad or by the Vratin.
• Using Old Baskets: Never reuse bamboo baskets from previous years for the main offerings.
• Touching Prasad without Bathing: Total physical purity is required; never touch the puja items without a full bath.
• Walking with Footwear: Most devotees walk barefoot to the river to maintain the sanctity of the ritual.

When does the Chhath Puja 2026 start?

Chhath Puja 2026 starts on November 14 with the Nahay Khay ritual. This day involves a ceremonial bath and a specific satvik meal. It marks the beginning of the four-day period where the home is kept in a state of absolute purity.

What is the Sandhya Arghya timing for 2026?

The Sandhya Arghya timing for 2026 falls on November 16 at approximately 5:23 PM. Devotees offer milk and water to the setting sun during this window. It is the only time in the year when the setting sun is formally worshipped with Arghya.

Which Tithi is Chhath Puja celebrated on?

Chhath Puja is celebrated on the Shashti Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartika. This tithi is dedicated to Chhathi Maiya, who is considered the sister of the Sun God. The rituals begin two days prior on the Chaturthi Tithi.

Is it necessary to stand in water for Arghya?

Standing in water for Arghya is a traditional requirement of Chhath Puja to symbolize the connection with nature. Devotees stand waist-deep in a river or pond. This act represents the surrender of the ego to the elements of the universe.

Can I perform Chhath Puja at home?

Performing Chhath Puja at home is possible if you cannot reach a riverbank or pond. Many devotees use a clean tub or a small temporary pool in their courtyard. The focus remains on the solar timings and the purity of the offerings made.

Conclusion

The four days of Chhath represent a journey of faith and discipline. By following the chhath puja 2026 date tithi muhurat, you align your prayers with the cosmic rhythm of the sun. Ensure your preparations are complete well before the sunset on November 16. Using authentic items like an Original Tulsi Japa Mala 108+1 Beads, 10 mm, Deep Meditation can enhance your spiritual focus during the long hours of fasting. To learn more about maintaining purity during festivals, see our guide on how to use tulsi mala for meditation.

By Sonal Pathak