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Sandhya Arghya 2026 will be observed on November 15. Check exact Chhath Puja evening Arghya sunset timings and complete rituals of offering prayers to the setting Sun.
Chhath Puja 2026 will be observed from November 13 to 16. Know when to offer Sandhya Arghya, city-wise sunset timings and the significance of its four-day rituals.
As dusk settles over the ghats, the glow of diyas, devotional Chhath geet and rows of devotees standing waist-deep in water create a deeply moving sight. With bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane and thekua, families gather to offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. This is Chhath Mahaparv, a celebration of faith, gratitude and reverence for nature.
Dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, Chhath Puja is among the most deeply cherished festivals in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. What makes the festival particularly distinctive is its worship of both the setting and the rising Sun. Observed over four days, Chhath is an expression of spiritual discipline.
With Chhath Puja 2026 approaching, devotees are preparing for four days of rituals, fasting and prayers. The most anticipated observances are Sandhya Arghya, offered to the setting Sun, and Usha Arghya, performed at sunrise the following morning.
Here’s everything to know about the dates, sunset timings and significance of the rituals.
Chhath Puja 2026: Date And Calendar
November 13, 2026 (Friday) – Nahay Khay: The beginning of the festival, marked by ritual bathing, purification and a sattvik meal.
November 14, 2026 (Saturday) – Kharna: A day-long fast that concludes with an evening offering of traditional prasad.
November 15, 2026 (Sunday) – Sandhya Arghya: Devotees offer prayers to the setting Sun at the riverbanks and Chhath ghats.
November 16, 2026 (Monday) – Usha Arghya and Parana: The final morning offering is made to the rising Sun, after which devotees conclude their fast.
Chhath Puja 2026: When Is Sandhya Arghya? Check Sunset Timings
Sandhya Arghya will be observed on Sunday, November 15, 2026, coinciding with Kartik Shukla Shashthi. As the Sun approaches the horizon, devotees gather at rivers, ponds and specially prepared Chhath ghats to offer arghya (a ritual offering of water) to Surya Dev.
The timing of the evening offering follows the local sunset. In Patna, the Sun is expected to set at approximately 5:01 PM, while devotees in Ranchi can expect sunset around 5:04 PM. In Varanasi, Sandhya Arghya will take place around 5:10 PM, while in Lucknow, the sunset is expected at approximately 5:16 PM.
For devotees in the national capital, sunset in New Delhi is expected around 5:28 PM, with Noida witnessing it at approximately 5:27 PM. In Kolkata, the Sun is expected to set around 4:53 PM, while in Mumbai, sunset will be considerably later, at approximately 6:00 PM.
Devotees are advised to reach their respective ghats well before sunset, allowing sufficient time to arrange the offerings and participate in the evening prayers. These timings are astronomical sunset estimates; local Panchang guidance and ghat arrangements should be followed.
The following morning, Usha Arghya will be offered on Monday, November 16. The Sun is expected to rise at approximately 6:07 AM in Patna and 6:44 AM in New Delhi. In Varanasi, sunrise is expected around 6:15 AM, while in Kolkata, it will be approximately 5:50 AM.
Following Usha Arghya and the completion of the prescribed rituals, devotees perform Parana, marking the end of the nirjala vrat. The fast is traditionally broken with water and prasad, often shared with family members and loved ones. Thekua and fruits are distributed, bringing the festival to a close on a note of gratitude and togetherness.
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Ask News18Sandhya Arghya will be observed on Sunday, November 15, 2026, coinciding with Kartik Shukla Shashthi. Devotees will gather at riverbanks and ghats to offer prayers to the setting Sun.
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