New Delhi: Chaiti Chhath 2026 will be observed from 22 March to 25 March, marking four sacred days of Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya devoted to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. This festival honours both rising and setting Sun that shows discipline, devotion and gratitude, upheld with unwavering sincerity across generations in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Over these days, devotees observe purity in thoughts, actions and food, beginning with a ritual bath and sattvic meal on Nahay Khay, followed by a strict fast on Kharna that continues without food or water until Usha Arghya.
In the evenings and early mornings of Sandhya and Usha Arghya, worshippers stand waist-deep in river or pond water to offer arghya with fruits, sugarcane, thekua and lamps to the setting and rising sun. The festival strengthens deep connection with nature, symbolising gratitude for life’s essential energies and invoking blessings for health, harmony and prosperity in the year ahead. Check out the date, timings and significance of this beautiful festival.
Chaiti Chhath 2026 date and timings
Chaiti Chhath in 2026 will be observed from March 22 to 25 March 2026.
- March 22, 2026 (Sunday): Nahay Khay, when devotees take a holy bath and prepare a pure vegetarian meal.
- March 23, 2026 (Monday): Devotees perform Kharna ritual by observing a day-long fast and a nirjala fast, and preparing evening prasad.
- March 24, 2026 (Tuesday): Third day is Sandhya Arghya when devotees offer water to the setting sun.
- March 25, 2026 (Wednesday): Fourth day is Usha Arghya when devotees offer water to the rising sun and end fasting.
Puja timings in Bihar
Sandhya Arghya (Sunset) date is March 24, 2026 and time is around 6:01 pm.
Usha Arghya (Sunrise) date is March 25, 2026 and time is around 5:47 am.
Timings may vary slightly depending on the location.
Day-wise Rituals of Chaiti Chhath
Day 1: Nahay Khay
The first day marks the beginning of purification. Devotees take a holy dip in a river or pond and prepare a simple vegetarian meal with strict cleanliness. This day sets the foundation for the vrat.
Day 2: Kharna
Devotees observe a fast throughout the day without water. In the evening, after sunset, prasad such as jaggery kheer and roti is offered and consumed. After this, a strict 36-hour nirjala fast begins.
Day 3: Sandhya Arghya
Devotees gather near water bodies and offer arghya to the setting sun while standing in water. Bamboo baskets filled with fruits, thekua, coconut, and sugarcane are used during the ritual.
Day 4: Usha Arghya
The final ritual is performed at sunrise. Devotees offer prayers to the rising Sun and then break their fast, marking the end of the vrat.
Significance of Chaiti Chhath
Chaiti Chhath holds deep spiritual meaning rooted in devotion, discipline, and gratitude.
Key Aspects
- Sun worship: Source of life, energy, and healing
- Chhathi Maiya: Protector of children and granter of wishes
- Spiritual discipline: Purification through fasting and self-control
- Nature connection: Worship performed in natural surroundings
Chhath puja samagri (offerings)
- Traditional sweets: Thekua, rice laddoos
- Fruits: Banana, coconut, citrus fruits
- Others: Sugarcane, earthen lamps (diya)
All offerings are prepared with strict purity and devotion.
Difference between Chaiti Chhath and Kartik Chhath
Chaiti Chhath
This festival is observed in Chaitra month (March-April), which witnesses less crowd.
Kartik Chhath
It is celebrated widely in Kartik month (October-November). Rituals
are same for the both.
Why devotees observe Chhath vrat
- For good health and recovery
- For prosperity and stability
- For family well-being
- To express gratitude to the sun
Chaiti Chhath stands apart for its simplicity and intensity. There are no elaborate decorations or priest-led rituals. Everything rests on personal devotion, discipline, and a quiet connection with nature. Even in modern cities, people continue to follow these traditions with the same sincerity, preserving a practice that is rooted in faith, gratitude, and balance with the natural world.
Written by: Tanya Singh, Astropatri.com.
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