Chhath Puja

Surya Dev (Sun God) / Chhathi Maiya

Hindu Nirjala (no water)

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Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and demanding Hindu vrats — a 4-day festival in which devotees observe a 36-hour nirjala fast, standing in water at sunset and sunrise to offer arghya to the Sun God. Kartik Shukla 6 is the main fasting day (Sandhya Arghya)

Dates 2026–2027

November 13, 2026November 14, 2026November 15, 2026November 16, 2026November 4, 2027

Mantra

ॐ सूर्याय नमः

Om Suryaya Namaha — I bow to Surya, the life-giving sun, the source of all light and energy

✦ Special Note

Chhath is unique in that the worship is performed in rivers, ponds, or any natural water body — not at home or in temples. The vrat is extraordinarily strict: no food, no water for 36 hours, with the fast broken only after offering arghya to the rising sun. Arghya times follow the devotee's local sunset for Sandhya Arghya and local sunrise for Usha Arghya. If you observe Chhath, prepare thekua and fruit baskets (soop) a day in advance. This is one of the most powerful vrats — its blessings are said to extend to the entire family for generations. Known issue: the 2027 North America main-day date may be November 3 rather than November 4; keep November 4 until the regional date is verified.

Foods Allowed

Thekua (whole wheat biscuits with jaggery and ghee) — the essential Chhath prasadRice laddoo (chawal ke laddoo)Fruits — especially sugarcane, banana, coconut, guava, grapefruitBanana chips (made with sendha namak and ghee/coconut oil)All fresh fruits — including banana, apple, mango, papaya, pomegranate, grapes, pear, chikoo, guava, watermelon, orange, and seasonal fruitsGinger (adrak) — important in Chhath offeringsTurmeric root (kacchi haldi) as offeringCoconutRock salt (sendha namak)

Foods to Avoid

Regular salt (table salt) — strict rock salt onlyOnion and garlicMeat and eggsAlcoholAny food cooked in iron utensils — only brass or earthen potsEating during the 36-hour nirjala fast (for those observing strictly)

Meal Idea

Thekua with sugarcane juice — the sacred Chhath prasad eaten after offering arghya to the setting and rising sun

Related vrats

Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.

Akshaya Navami (Amla Navami) — November 18, 2026Same tradition and category
Akshaya Tritiya — April 19, 2026Same tradition and category
Anant Chaturdashi — September 25, 2026Same tradition and category
Basant Panchami — February 11, 2027Same tradition and category
Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya / Bhratri Dwitiya) — November 11, 2026Same tradition and category
Datta Jayanti — December 24, 2026Same tradition and category

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Get a reminder before the next Chhath Puja

At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.

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