Festival guide
Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja, centred on the sixth day of the bright half of Kartika, is a four-day festival of the Sun observed especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. It is famous for its discipline and purity.
Chhath Puja dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 15 November | Kartika Shukla Shashthi 14 Nov, 23:24 → 16 Nov, 02:01 |
| 2027 | Thursday 4 November | Kartika Shukla Shashthi 3 Nov, 19:32 → 4 Nov, 21:38 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Surya Shashthi, Dala Chhath.
Story and significance
Tradition links Chhath to Surya and his consort Usha, to Karna’s daily Sun worship, and to Sita and Draupadi, who are said to have observed the vrat.
How Chhath Puja is celebrated
- Nahay-Khay (day 1): bath and a simple pure meal
- Kharna (day 2): fast until evening, then kheer and roti
- Sandhya Arghya (day 3, Shashthi): offering to the setting Sun while standing in water
- Usha Arghya (day 4): offering to the rising Sun, then breaking the 36-hour fast
- Thekua and seasonal fruit offered in bamboo baskets
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chhath Puja 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 falls on Sunday, 15 November 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Chhath Puja 2027?
Chhath Puja 2027 falls on Thursday, 4 November 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Chhath Puja change every year?
Chhath Puja is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 6 of Kartika (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Chhath Puja fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.