Chhath Mahaparv 2026: PM Modi extends greetings to the nation, four-day festival begins today with Nahay-Khaay

November 13, 2026

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Chhath Mahaparv 2026, which began on Friday, November 13th. This four-day holy festival began with the ritual of Nahay-Khaay. Chhath Mahaparv is dedicated to the worship of Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. During this time, devotees pray for the happiness, prosperity, well-being, and good health of their families.

Prime Minister Modi shared a post on the social media platform X and extended his greetings to the devotees observing the fast. He wrote, “Heartiest greetings to all the countrymen on the beginning of the four-day ritual of Chhath, the great festival of folk faith and sun worship. Today is Nahay-Khaay. My respectful salutations to all the devotees observing the fast. I pray that Chhathi Maiya continues to shower her blessings on everyone.”

लोक आस्था और सूर्य उपासना के चार दिवसीय पावन अनुष्ठान महापर्व छठ के शुभारंभ पर सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। आज नहाय-खाय है। सभी व्रतियों को मेरा नमन। सबको छठी मइया का आशीर्वाद मिले, यही कामना है।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2026

Chhath Puja 2026: The Complete Calendar for Four Days

Chhath Puja is one of the major festivals in the country. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. This festival is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees observe fasts, offer traditional offerings, and pray for the health, happinss, peace, and prosperity of their families.

Each day of this four-day festival has its own religious significance and special rituals.

First Day: Nahay-Khay (November 13)

The Chhath festival begins on November 13 with Nahay-Khay. On this day, devotees take a holy bath and clean their homes. Following this, pure and sattvic food is prepared. The traditional meal includes rice, gram dal, and bottle gourd vegetable.

Second Day: Kharna (November 14)

The second day of Chhath Puja will be celebrated as Kharna on November 14. On this day, devotees fast all day and consume prasad after the evening puja. The Kharna prasad primarily consists of jaggery kheer and roti.

After Kharna, devotees begin a 36-hour fast without food or water. During this time, they neither eat nor drink water.

Third Day: Sandhya Arghya (November 15)

The most important day of Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya, will be celebrated on November 15. On this day, devotees gather at the banks of rivers, ponds, and other water bodies and offer arghya to the setting sun.

During this time, traditional offerings including thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut, and other traditional offerings are arranged in bamboo baskets and bowls and offered to the Sun God.

Day Four: Usha Arghya (November 16)

The four-day Chhath festival concludes with Usha Arghya on November 16. On this day, devotees arrive at the ghats before sunrise and offer prayers to the rising sun.

This is followed by the Parana (break of fast), which concludes the fast.

Chhath festival is not only a symbol of religious faith, but also a festival of expressing gratitude to nature and worshipping the sun, considering it the source of life and energy.