Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun god, and to Chhathi Maiya, a goddess associated with the wellbeing of children. It is most closely linked to Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and it is also celebrated by migrant communities in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and abroad. Unlike many festivals, it has no idols and no priests. Devotees, called vratis, fast and stand in water to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. For a visitor, it is a rare chance to see a deeply personal tradition on a very large scale, but it demands more respect, preparation and care than most tourist events. This guide covers the dates, the rituals, the best places to see it, the travel rush and how to behave.
Chhath Puja 2026 Dates
Chhath Puja 2026 runs for four days, from Friday, November 13 to Monday, November 16. Nahay Khay falls on November 13, Kharna on November 14, Sandhya Arghya, the offering to the setting sun and the main public day, on Sunday, November 15, and Usha Arghya, the offering to the rising sun, on Monday, November 16. Local sunset on November 15 is around 5 pm in Patna and slightly later in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, and sunrise on November 16 is around 6 to 7 am depending on the city. Because the offerings are tied to local sunset and sunrise, always confirm the time with your hotel or a local panchang. A few websites list different dates, so rely on established panchang sources.
The Four Days Explained
- Day 1, Nahay Khay: devotees bathe in a river or holy water, clean the house and eat one simple, pure meal, often cooked with bottle gourd and rice.
- Day 2, Kharna: a day of fasting, broken after sunset with a meal of kheer and roti. After this, a strict fast without even water begins for around 36 hours.
- Day 3, Sandhya Arghya: in the late afternoon, families walk to rivers, ponds and ghats carrying bamboo baskets of fruit, sugarcane and traditional sweets, and offer prayers to the setting sun while standing in water.
- Day 4, Usha Arghya: before dawn, devotees return to the water and offer prayers to the rising sun. The fast is then broken with prasad.
The most beautiful and photogenic moments for visitors are the evening of day 3 and the dawn of day 4, when the ghats are crowded with families, lamps and singing.
Where to See Chhath as a Visitor
Patna and the Ganga ghats
Patna is the heart of Chhath, with ghats along the Ganga lit with lamps and decorated by local authorities. It is the best choice if you want the most traditional atmosphere. Hotels near the river book out well in advance, and roads close around the ghats on the main days.
Varanasi
The ghats of Varanasi host large Chhath gatherings. If you plan to visit Varanasi for Chhath, you can extend the trip to Dev Deepawali later in the month; see our Dev Deepawali Varanasi guide.
Deo, Aurangabad (Bihar)
The Deo Sun Temple is famous for its Chhath celebrations, with devotees travelling long distances to pray there. It is more remote and basic than Patna, and suits experienced travellers.
Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai
Large Chhath celebrations take place at the Yamuna ghats and artificial ponds in Delhi, at Ganga ghats in Kolkata and at Juhu Beach in Mumbai. These are easier to reach if you are already in a big city, and they show how the festival travels with migrant communities. Access, water quality and crowd rules vary, so follow local announcements.
The Travel Rush: Plan Around It
Chhath is one of the busiest travel periods in north India. Millions of people travel home to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh in the week before the festival, so trains, buses and flights toward the region are packed and prices rise. If you plan to travel to Bihar, book as early as possible, avoid unreserved travel and have a backup plan. After the festival, the return rush starts, so allow extra time. Read our guide to using trains in India as a foreigner. For a longer route, see our India itinerary for first-time visitors.
Where to Stay
In Patna, choose hotels near the main ghats for easy access, or in the city centre for more choice, and plan to walk or take short rides. Book as early as possible, with free-cancellation options if you can. If you are staying in a smaller town, ask your host how to reach the ghats, where it is safe to stand and what time to arrive. For a more local stay, consider a homestay with a family that celebrates the festival, since many hosts are happy to explain the rituals.
Etiquette: How to Be a Respectful Visitor
- Treat it as a private religious act in a public place. Stay behind the devotees and do not walk between them and the water.
- Ask before photographing, particularly women devotees in the water, and never use flash. Many families prefer not to be photographed at all.
- Do not touch the baskets, the offerings or the prasad, since purity is central to the ritual. If you are offered prasad, accept with your right hand and thank the person.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and remove footwear near the puja area.
- Avoid meat, alcohol and strong smells near the ghats, since many families keep their homes strictly vegetarian during the festival.
- Keep your voice low, do not play music, and do not litter.
Safety at the Ghats
Large crowds gather at the water's edge in the late afternoon, often on steps that are wet and uneven. Stay with your group, agree on a meeting point and keep away from deep water, since some ghats have steep drops and currents. Follow the barricades and instructions of police and volunteers, and leave before the crowd begins to disperse if you feel uncomfortable. Keep valuables minimal, and carry a copy of your ID. See our scams guide for advice on staying safe in crowds. Women travelling alone should stay in well-lit, busy areas, use trusted transport and avoid isolated stretches of riverbank.
A 3-Day Plan for Patna
Day 1: Arrival and orientation
Arrive, check in and explore the old city and museums. Visit the ghats in daylight to learn the layout, and see the preparations: decorated steps, stalls selling baskets, fruit and sugarcane, and volunteers cleaning the riverbank.
Day 2: Sandhya Arghya
Rest in the morning and arrive at a ghat at least an hour before sunset. Find a calm place near the edge of the crowd, and watch the families arrive. After the offerings, walk back slowly, and plan your return before the busiest time.
Day 3: Usha Arghya
Wake before dawn, travel to the ghat in the dark with a trusted driver, and watch the rising-sun offering. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest, or continue to Bodh Gaya, Nalanda or Rajgir for a wider Bihar trip.
Food: What You Will See and Taste
The most famous Chhath prasad is thekua, a deep-fried sweet made with wheat flour, jaggery and ghee, often shaped with a wooden mould. Other offerings include rice laddu, fruit, sugarcane and coconut. If you are invited to a home, you may be offered kheer or a vegetarian meal. Accept politely, and do not ask for meat or onion-garlic dishes in a home that follows the festival diet. Street food outside the festival area is plentiful, but choose freshly cooked items and drink bottled water.
Weather and What to Pack
Mid-November in Bihar is dry and pleasantly cool, with warm afternoons and chilly mornings. Pack light cotton layers, a shawl or jacket for the pre-dawn hours, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily, a torch, a power bank, wet wipes and a small first-aid kit. See our guide on what to wear in India for more tips.
Planning Your Wider Trip
Many visitors combine Chhath with other festivals in the same week. The full moon of Kartik Purnima on November 24 brings Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, the Pushkar fair and the Sonepur Mela; read our Kartik Purnima guide and Sonepur Mela guide. If you would rather start from a ready-made plan, Zentrevo's curated travel journeys can give you route ideas to adapt around the festival dates.
More Questions Visitors Ask
Can tourists watch Chhath Puja?
Yes, as respectful observers. Keep your distance, ask before photographing and follow local instructions.
Is Chhath Puja a public holiday?
It is a holiday in several states, including Bihar and Jharkhand, though the arrangements vary. Expect closures and limited services.
Is it safe for solo travellers?
With normal precautions, yes. Stay in busy areas, use trusted transport and avoid going to isolated ghats alone.
How many days do I need?
Two to three days in Patna covers the main events. Add more days for Bihar's Buddhist sites.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking trains and hotels late in the week before Chhath.
- Photographing devotees without permission.
- Arriving at the ghat too late and finding the best areas closed off.
- Wearing leather or revealing clothing near the puja area.
- Planning a tight departure on November 16.
Final Checklist
- Dates and local sunset and sunrise times confirmed.
- Accommodation and transport booked with flexible terms.
- Modest clothing, a torch, a power bank and a light jacket packed.
- A plan for crowds, meeting points and a safe return.
If you want help planning a Bihar and Varanasi route around Chhath, use the contact form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Chhath Puja 2026?
Chhath Puja runs from Friday, November 13 to Monday, November 16, 2026, with the main sunset offering (Sandhya Arghya) on Sunday, November 15.
Where is the best place to see Chhath Puja?
Patna's Ganga ghats are the traditional centre, with large celebrations also in Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Can tourists photograph Chhath devotees?
Ask permission first, avoid flash and respect refusals, since many families prefer privacy.
Is travel to Bihar crowded before Chhath?
Yes. Trains and flights toward Bihar are extremely crowded in the week before, so book early.
What should I wear?
Modest cotton clothing and a light layer for cool mornings, with footwear that is easy to remove.
How long is the Chhath fast?
Devotees keep a strict fast without water for about 36 hours between Kharna and Usha Arghya.
