Chhath Puja 2026 Dates in Nepal: Arghya Time & Rituals

Chhath Puja 2026 Dates in Nepal at a Glance

Chhath Puja 2026 runs from Friday, November 13 to Monday, November 16, 2026, which is Kartik 27 to Kartik 30, 2083 BS. The main day, Sandhya Arghya, falls on Sunday, November 15 (Kartik 29), and it is a nationwide public holiday in Nepal.

Chhath is one of the oldest Vedic festivals, dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. It is celebrated with great devotion in Nepal's Terai and Madhesh regions, Kathmandu Valley, and the neighbouring Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Chhath Puja 2026 Arghya Time in Kathmandu

Arghya must be offered at the moment of sunset and sunrise, so timing depends on your location. For Kathmandu Valley:

• Sandhya Arghya (sunset), Sunday, Nov 15: about 5:11 PM
• Usha Arghya (sunrise), Monday, Nov 16: about 6:24 AM

Other cities differ by a few minutes (for example, Janakpur sunset is about 5:10 PM and Biratnagar about 5:05 PM). Reach the ghat 20 to 30 minutes early and stand in the water before the exact time. Always cross-check with your local panchang, since times vary slightly with terrain and weather.

Is Chhath a Public Holiday in Nepal in 2026?

Yes. The Government of Nepal lists Chhath Parva on Kartik 29 (Sunday, November 15, 2026) as a public holiday. Many offices and schools in Madhesh Province also close informally for the other days.

What Is Chhath Puja? Significance

Chhath Puja is a festival of direct nature worship. Devotees, mostly women (though many men also observe it), stand in rivers or ponds and offer Arghya to Surya at sunset and sunrise. They also worship Chhathi Maiya, often linked with Usha (the morning rays) and Pratyusha (the evening rays), seeking health, prosperity, and the well-being of their children and families.

The festival also reflects gratitude for the Sun's role in sustaining life, and for a good harvest in agrarian communities. It highlights respect for nature, since devotees keep rivers and ponds clean and use natural, biodegradable offerings.

Devotees follow a strictly vegetarian diet, and the prasad is prepared without onion or garlic, symbolizing purity and discipline.

Chhath Puja Rituals: The 4 Days Explained

Day 1: Nahay Khay (Friday, November 13)

Nahay Khay means "bathe and eat." Devotees take a ritual bath, often in a river such as the Bagmati, Koshi, Narayani or Karnali (or a clean pond, or at home if a river is not accessible). They thoroughly clean the house and eat a single, simple sattvic meal, traditionally bottle gourd (lauki) with chana dal and rice, cooked without onion or garlic.

Day 2: Kharna (Saturday, November 14)

On Kharna, also called Lohanda, devotees fast the whole day without food or water. After sunset they offer kheer made of jaggery and rice, roti and bananas to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun, eat the prasad, and share it with family and neighbors. This meal starts the 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast that continues until Usha Arghya.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Sunday, November 15)

The most important day. Families prepare prasad such as thekua, coconuts, sugarcane and seasonal fruits, and carry it in bamboo soop and daura baskets to the riverbank or pond. At sunset, the fasting devotee stands in the water and offers Arghya to the setting sun while lamps (diyas) glow along the ghat. Folk songs and prayers follow.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana (Monday, November 16)

Before dawn, devotees return to the same ghat and offer Arghya to the rising sun. They also pray to Chhathi Maiya for their family's well-being. The fast is then broken (parana) with a taste of prasad, and prasad is shared with relatives, friends and neighbors.

Chhath Prasad and Offerings

History of Chhath Puja

The exact origin of Chhath is unknown, but worship of Surya for health, longevity and prosperity is thousands of years old, with traditions linked to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Several stories are told:

• Ramayana: After returning to Ayodhya from exile, Lord Rama and Sita are said to have fasted and offered prayers to Surya, which is believed to have inspired the tradition.
• Mahabharata (Karna): Karna, the son of Kunti and Surya, is remembered for standing in the river each day to offer prayers to his father, a practice many see as the root of Arghya.
• Mahabharata (Draupadi and the Pandavas): They are said to have observed the Surya vrat to regain their fortunes and kingdom.

These are traditional beliefs rather than a single fixed scripture, and versions differ between communities. Over centuries Chhath grew into a major cultural event in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

How Chhath Is Celebrated in Nepal

Chhath is especially important to Maithil, Bhojpuri and Tharu communities of the Terai, and in recent years has become highly visible in Kathmandu Valley. Common features include ritual bathing before dawn, elaborate Arghya offerings, strict fasting, community gatherings, folk songs in Maithili and Bhojpuri, decorations with diyas and flowers, and a strong emphasis on keeping water bodies clean.

Best Places to See Chhath in Nepal

• Kathmandu: Bagmati River ghats at Gaushala and Sundarighat, and Rani Pokhari.
• Janakpur: Dhanusha Sagar, Ganga Sagar and the Ratu Khola, close to Janaki Temple, with large cultural programs of Maithili songs.
• Birgunj, Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Nepalgunj and Bharatpur: Established ghats and ponds with large crowds on both Arghya evenings.

Etiquette tips: arrive early, stay quiet near the water, never step over another family's offering, dress modestly, and spectators should keep back from the water's edge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chhath Puja 2026

When is Chhath Puja in 2026? November 13 to 16, 2026 (Kartik 27 to 30, 2083 BS). The main Sandhya Arghya day is Sunday, November 15.

What is the date of Nahay Khay in 2026? Friday, November 13, 2026 (Kartik 27).

When is Kharna in 2026? Saturday, November 14, 2026 (Kartik 28).

What time is Sandhya Arghya in Kathmandu on November 15, 2026? Around 5:11 PM, at sunset.

What time is Usha Arghya in Kathmandu on November 16, 2026? Around 6:24 AM, at sunrise.

Is Chhath a public holiday in Nepal? Yes, on Kartik 29 (Sunday, November 15, 2026).

Why is the setting sun worshipped in Chhath? Worshipping both the setting and rising sun represents the cycle of life and gratitude for the Sun's role in sustaining it.

How long is the Chhath fast? After the Kharna meal, devotees keep a roughly 36-hour waterless fast until Usha Arghya.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja 2026 begins on November 13 and ends on November 16, with Sandhya Arghya on Sunday, November 15. Confirm exact timings with your local panchang, plan to reach the ghat early, and wish your family and friends a happy Chhath Parva.

Popular Holiday Destination During Chhath Festival In Nepal

Popular Trekking Options During Chhath Festival in Nepal

Nepal boasts some of the most amazing trek routes in the world, extremely popular with visitors coming from far and wide. Be it a moderately paced trek that one wants to undertake with breathtaking views or an expeditionary challenge - Nepal has it all. Some unmissable trekking destinations:

1. Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of Nepal's most in-demand treks and falls right in the middle in terms of difficulty, with extremely rewarding vistas. It takes you through quaint villages, lush rhododendron forests, and terraced farmlands. You will view a 360-degree display of the towering peaks at the nearing vicinity of Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna I, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli. This trek is ideal for those who want to feel the majesty of the Himalayas without pressing into high-altitude extremes.

2. Annapurna Circuit Trek

These include varied landscapes comprising of subtropical forests and paddy fields to arid highland and alpine meadows. The Annapurna Circuit Trek rounds the whole Annapurna massif, crossing the Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, with a rewarding vista of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. There's also a possibility for trekkers to go through varied cultures of Gurung and Thakali communities. Variety and challenges make this one of the most popular treks among adventurers.

3. Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek is an ideal trek for those who wish to have a shorter, easier trek with tremendous views. The trek passes through the rhododendron forests and beautiful villages onto Poon Hill for a panorama of sunrise over the ranges of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. For beginners or families, this is a well-liked option that presents great rewards without the technical demands of high-altitude trekking.

4. Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp Trek has become synonymous with a Himalayan adventure, which is what this route takes one through to the heart of the Khumbu and on to the foot of the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. En route, the trek passes Sherpa villages, crosses suspension bridges over raging rivers, and affords close-up views of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse. The trek reaches its climax at Everest Base Camp, where one stands right at the foot of this fabled peak-a lifetime experience for trekkers all over the world.

5. Manaslu Circuit Trek

The Manaslu Circuit Trek takes you to a remoteness that few of the more famous treks-such as the Annapurna ones-offer. The path circumnavigates mighty Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain on Earth. Pristine landscapes, dramatic ridges, and engagement with traditional Tibetan culture are just some of the attractions of this trek. One of the most prized components of this trek is the crossing of Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters over a challenging path for stunning panoramic views of surrounding peaks.

6. Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek

The Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek is an adventurous and remote trekking route around the third highest mountain in the world, Mount Kanchenjunga. This might be an ideal trek for experienced trekkers seeking solitude and pristine wilderness. It offers a variety of diverse landscapes that range from lush forests up to high-altitude alpine zones with dramatic views of Kanchenjunga and its surrounding peaks. The remoteness of this trek makes it a true wilderness adventure.

7. Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return

The Everest Base Camp Trek with Helicopter Return provides all of the thrills of the traditional Everest Base Camp trek but adds in the luxury of a helicopter flight back to Lukla. Ideal for trekkers looking to experience the adventure of reaching Everest Base Camp without the tiring journey of returning on foot. The helicopter ride offers unparalleled views of the Himalayas while providing the trekkers with an Everest beauty from above, besides along the ground.

8. Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang Trek  to the ancient Kingdom of Mustang starts through this restricted area, continual landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau. A really magical adventure in the wind-blown valleys, ancient caves, and monasteries of this country so bathed with Tibetan-influenced culture. Its remoteness and preservation of traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture make it one of the more fascinating areas for trekkers in search of something different.

9. Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang Valley Trek is a moderate trek that goes through a beautiful Langtang Valley offering magnificent close-up views of Langtang Lirung, and other snow-capped peaks. This trek is famous for its rich flora and fauna, with dense forests and Langtang National Park home to the rare animals like the red panda. This actually passes by a traditional Tamang village for the trekker to feel the culture and hospitality of the people, making it both a culturally enriching as well as a scenic journey.