About Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is an ancient four-day festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun god, and Chhathi Maiya, revered as a goddess of well-being and protector of children. Devotees give thanks to the sun for sustaining life on earth and pray for the prosperity, health and longevity of their families. Known for its purity and discipline, it is one of the most demanding vrats in the Hindu tradition and is observed with deep personal devotion, especially by women.
The festival is the great cultural event of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and is also kept by their communities elsewhere in India and abroad. Its four days move through Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya. Devotees keep a strict fast, often without water, and stand waist-deep in rivers, ponds or tanks to offer arghya of water, fruit and thekua to the setting and rising sun, with the evening Sandhya Arghya as the main day.
Chhath Puja follows the Hindu lunar calendar, beginning on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik and continuing for four days, so its Gregorian dates shift each year, usually in October or November and a second smaller Chaiti Chhath in spring. The live countdown above always tracks the next Chhath Puja for you. If you would like the date at hand, you can add this countdown to your own page in a few clicks.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Sunday, November 15, 2026next |
| 2027 | Thursday, November 4, 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, October 23, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, November 11, 2029 |
FAQ
When is Chhath Puja this year and what dates does it cover?
Chhath Puja begins on the sixth day after Diwali, around the fourth to seventh days of the bright fortnight of Kartik, usually in October or November. The four-day dates change each year with the lunar calendar, so check the live countdown above.
Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?
It honours Surya, the Sun god, and Chhathi Maiya in thanksgiving for sustaining life and to seek health, prosperity and the well-being of family. It is among the oldest forms of sun worship still practised.
How is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Devotees observe a strict fast, often without water, and gather at rivers and ponds to offer arghya to the setting sun on the third day and the rising sun on the fourth. Offerings include water, fruit and the special sweet thekua.
What is the main day of Chhath Puja?
The third day, Sandhya Arghya, is the main day, when devotees stand in water at dusk to offer arghya to the setting sun. It is followed the next dawn by Usha Arghya to the rising sun.