The four days of Chhath
Ritual guides for each day
Chhath unfolds over four days, each with its own meaning, practices and offerings. These guides describe the traditions respectfully and note that practices vary by family and community.
Nahay Khay
नहाय खायDay 1 of 4 · 13 November 2026
The first day of Chhath begins the period of discipline. After bathing and cleaning the home, a simple meal is prepared and eaten — the last meal before the stricter fasting begins.
Kharna
खरनाDay 2 of 4 · 14 November 2026
The second day centres on preparing the prasad. The day is observed with a fast, and in the evening the offering is cooked and shared before the long fast begins.
Sandhya Arghya
संध्या अर्घ्यDay 3 of 4 · 15 November 2026
The central day of Chhath. Devotees gather at a water body at sunset and offer arghya to the setting Sun, standing in the water with offerings arranged in a soop.
Usha Arghya
उषा अर्घ्यDay 4 of 4 · 16 November 2026
The final day. Before sunrise, devotees return to the ghat to offer arghya to the rising Sun, after which the fast is broken (parana) and the festival concludes.
A respectful note on variation
The four-day structure of Chhath is shared widely, but the specific foods, songs, timings and customs differ between families, communities and regions. These guides describe practices in general terms and are not prescriptive religious instructions.