Chhath Puja
Bihar's 4-day sun worship by the Ganga
Significance
An ancient Vedic rite preserved in its purest form in Bihar, eastern UP and Jharkhand. Considered one of India's most disciplined fasts — 36 hours without water (nirjala).
The only festival where devotees worship the setting sun before the rising one. Entire families camp on river ghats for 36 hours of fasting, standing waist-deep in water at dawn and dusk, offering thekua and fruit to Surya.
First-time visitor
Arrive on Day 3 evening for Sandhya Arghya; return at 4:30 AM for the magical Usha Arghya.
What to see
- Nahay-Khay — ritual bath on Day 1
- Kharna — sunset prayer with jaggery-rice kheer
- Sandhya Arghya — offering to the setting sun on Day 3
- Usha Arghya — offering to the rising sun on Day 4
Festival foods
Best for
Travel tips
- 1The Ganga ghats at Patna host the largest gatherings
- 2Respect the purity rules — no shoes, no leather on the ghats
- 3Photography from a respectful distance — this is deeply personal
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Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
Bihar
The UNESCO site where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment in 528 BCE beneath the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha — the most sacred place in all of Buddhism.
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Questions & Answers
About Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja 2026 is scheduled for 15–18 Nov 2026. That's 205 days from today.
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