Chhath Puja is a four-day festival devoted to Surya Dev’s worship. Discover the correct dates for the festival and the Shubh muhurat.

Hindus celebrate Chhath, an ancient festival dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God). This event dates back centuries in India’s subcontinent with historical roots in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar. At Chhath Puja, prayers are offered up to Surya as thanks for his blessings.

At the same time, Chhathi Maiya, Surya’s sister and sixth form Devi Prakriti, appears through Chhathi Maiya as Chhathi Maiya or Vikram Samvat in Kartika or Vikram Samvat lunar months (i.e., six days after Deepavali or Vikram Samvat).

Chhath Puja, or the four-day ceremony of Chhath, involves holy bathing, water abstinence, and fasting for four consecutive days. Other activities during these four days may include standing in water to offer prasad and arghya to the rising sun and prostration along riverbanks by devotees marching in prostration.

As with previous years, there was much confusion regarding festival dates in 2023; please scroll down for confirmation of these correct dates of Chhath Puja 2023.

When will Chhath Puja be in 2023?

Drik Panchang predicts that this year’s auspicious Chhath festival will start on Friday, November 17, and end on Monday, November 20. Below are the dates for each festival day and Shubh Muhurat times.

Day 1: Nahay Khay (17th November 2023)

Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the Chhath festival. Women who observe Chhath-vrat may only consume one meal on this auspicious day, and devotees may take a spiritual bath on this special occasion. According to Drik Panchang’s records, sunrise for this date will occur at 06:45 am, while sunset occurs at 5:27 pm.

Day 2: Kharna and Lohanda (18th November 2023)

Kharna, or the second day of Chhath, is marked by a fast without water from sunrise to sunset, breaking it only after sundown when devotees can give offerings to Sun God.

According to Drik Panchang’s estimates, sunrise on this day occurred at 6:46 am while sunset occurred 17 hours 26 minutes later.

Day 3: Chhath Puja or Sandhya Arghya (November 19, 2023)

Sandhya Arghya marks the third day of Chhath when an offering to the sun (an arghya offering) is performed at dusk as part of fasting through the night. According to Drik Panchang’s records, sunrise and sunset times today are 06:46 and 5:26, respectively.

Day 4: Usha Arghya or Parana Day (20th November 2023)

Usha Arghya marks the final day of Chhath. On this last day, offerings to the Sun God (Arghya) must be made before breaking the 36-hour fast. Drik Panchang states that sunrise on this day was at 06:47 am, while sunset occurred 17 hours and 26 minutes later.

History of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja can be traced back to ancient Vedic texts, making it India’s oldest festival. Believed to be celebrated for over 2,000 years, the Sanskrit word “Shashthi” refers to the six lunar days after Diwali. This indicates when Chhath Puja will take place.

Chhath Puja Dates in 2023

Chhath Puja occurs over four days, with its main rituals observed on the third. Chhath Puja in 2023 will start on Friday, November 17.

Its principal day of worship (Kharna) will occur on Monday, November 20, when devotees gather in prayerful gatherings at rivers, ponds, and other bodies of water before it sets.

Chhath Puja Is Essential

Chhath Puja centres around the worship of Surya, or Suryanandi – the Sun god. Devotees pray to him for strength and blessings for their families’ well-being and happiness.

Chhath Puja is also celebrated as an ancient harvest festival. Farmers thank the sun for giving them abundant crops while praying for fertile land to maintain fertility.

Chhath Puja holds significant spiritual meaning. Devotees fast and pray to the sun between sunrise and sunset for this ceremony to purify both body and mind and bring prosperity to their lives.

Community bonding: Chhath Puja, an annual festival whose community members and their beliefs drive, emphasises unity and social bonds. Families and communities unite for rituals performed and prayers offered collectively during this yearly festival.

The Significance of Chhath Rituals

Nahay Khay: On the first day, devotees participate in a sacred river or pond swim and are then served a rice and pumpkin meal.

Lohanda & Kharna: On the second day, they prepare an offering including fruits, jaggery, and thekua (sweet snacks).

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