Chhath Puja 2026: Dates, Sunset and Sunrise Arghya Times and Source Details
Find Chhath Puja dates, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya timing guidance and source details in one place.
Live Data via DivineAPI Β· 2026Chhath Puja 2026
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About Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashti). It is one of the oldest Vedic festivals and is observed primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and among communities from these regions across India. The four-day festival includes fasting, bathing in sacred rivers, and offering arghya (water oblation) to the setting and rising sun. Both sunset (Sandhya Arghya) and sunrise (Usha Arghya) timings are critical and are location-specific.
Tradition and Meaning of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of the few festivals in the Vedic tradition that is directly dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Shashti). It is observed primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, and by communities from these regions across India and in Nepal.
The rituals of Chhath are among the most demanding in Hindu practice. Vratis (those observing the fast) undertake a rigorous 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without water). The observance spans four days, with the central acts being the offering of arghya (water oblation) to the setting sun on Day 3 (Sandhya Arghya) and to the rising sun on Day 4 (Usha Arghya).
The precise timing of Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya is essential for the observance and is location-specific β it varies by city based on the exact time of sunset and sunrise. The timings shown in the card above are sourced from DivineAPI for your selected city.
β¦Note on Traditions
Chhath Puja is observed with a strict code of cleanliness and ritual discipline. The specific customs, prasad preparations and songs (Chhath Geet) vary by community and region.
Four Days of Chhath Puja
Day 1 β Nahay Khay
Vratis take a ritual bath in a sacred river or body of water. Only one simple meal is eaten β traditionally rice (arwa chawal) cooked with pumpkin (lauki) and chana dal.
Day 2 β Kharna (Lohanda)
Vratis fast the entire day and break it after sunset with Kheer (rice pudding made with jaggery) and roti. This prasad is distributed to family members. After this, the 36-hour nirjala fast begins.
Day 3 β Sandhya Arghya
Vratis go to a riverbank or water body at sunset to offer Sandhya Arghya β water oblations to the setting sun. The Sandhya Arghya timing is location-specific β see the timing card above.
Day 4 β Usha Arghya
Before sunrise, vratis return to the water body to offer Usha Arghya β oblations to the rising sun. After this, the fast is broken with prasad. Usha Arghya timing varies by city.
βΉοΈ Arghya timings are location-specific and vary by year. Verified sunset and sunrise timings will be shown from the city selected in the timing card above.
Prasad
Traditional Prasad
- β’Thekua (fried sweet made of wheat flour and jaggery)
- β’Kheer (rice pudding)
- β’Fruits (banana, sugarcane, water chestnut)
- β’Coconut
- β’Laddoo
Note
- β’Prasad requirements may vary by regional custom and family tradition.
βΉοΈ Prasad requirements may vary by family and regional tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source Details and Verification
Sunrise / Sunset Source
City-specific sunrise/sunset Β· DivineAPI
Editorial Review Status
2026
Last Verified On
Not yet verified
Location Basis
Arghya timings are city-specific β location-based source to be connected before publication
