Chhath Puja 2026 in Nepal: Dates, Four Days and Where to Go

Chhath is a festival of fasting, water, sunlight and disciplined preparation dedicated to Surya and Chhathi Maiya. In Nepal it is deeply rooted in Madhesh and the wider Tarai, while large observances now take place in Kathmandu and other cities. This guide separates the official holiday from the complete four-day ritual so readers do not mistake one calendar date for the whole festival.

Direct answer

Chhath Puja 2026 in Nepal follows a four-day sequence from Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November. Nahay Khay is on 13 November, Kharna on 14 November, Sandhya Arghya at sunset on 15 November and Usha Arghya at sunrise on 16 November. Nepal's public Chhath holiday is Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Chhath Puja 2026 dates at a glance

Government and municipal calendars highlight 15 November because it is the public observance and sunset arghya day. The sunrise ritual the next morning is an essential part of the complete sequence. Exact local gathering and arghya times should be confirmed with the ghat committee or the household being visited.

What happens during the four days of Chhath?

• Nahay Khay means bathing and eating. The home and cooking space are cleaned, the devotee bathes, and a carefully prepared simple meal begins the observance.
• Kharna involves fasting through the day. After evening worship, a prasad such as jaggery-sweetened kheer with roti or fruit may be shared; practice varies by household.
• Sandhya Arghya brings families to a river, pond or prepared ghat with bamboo baskets of fruits, thekua and other offerings for the setting sun.
• Usha Arghya takes place before and during sunrise. Devotees offer water and prayers to the rising sun, then conclude the fast and distribute prasad.

The person undertaking the disciplined fast is often called a vratin or parvaitin. Family and neighbours support the observance by cleaning, cooking, carrying offerings and maintaining order at the ghat.

Where is Chhath celebrated in Nepal?

Chhath is especially important across Madhesh and the Tarai, including Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Siraha, Saptari, Sunsari, Morang, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Rupandehi and nearby districts. Janakpur is one of Nepal's best-known destinations for the festival: ponds and public spaces draw large numbers of worshippers. Birgunj, Biratnagar and other Tarai cities also hold major community observances. This geographic list is illustrative, not exclusive; families celebrate throughout Nepal and abroad.

Where to observe Chhath in Kathmandu

In Kathmandu Valley, communities gather at prepared sections of rivers, ponds and public water bodies. Nepal Tourism Board specifically notes the Bagmati as a gathering point. Locations and access arrangements can change with water conditions, construction, security and local management. Use the current metropolitan or ward announcement, arrive before crowding peaks, and do not rely on a previous year's social post as confirmation.

Why worship both the setting and rising sun?

Chhath honours the sun's sustaining energy through two complementary moments. Sandhya Arghya acknowledges the setting sun; Usha Arghya welcomes the rising sun. The sequence makes gratitude central across ending and renewal rather than celebrating only one triumphant moment. Devotees may pray for wellbeing, family and fulfilment of vows, but personal meaning varies.

Respectful visitor etiquette at a Chhath ghat

• Stand outside the worship path and keep steps into the water clear.
• Ask before photographing a devotee, child, basket or private ritual.
• Do not touch, move or step over a daura, soop, lamp, fruit or prasad arrangement.
• Wear modest, practical clothing and expect wet or slippery ground.
• Keep food wrappers, plastic and cigarette waste away from the ghat.
• Follow volunteer, police and municipal directions without arguing for a better viewpoint.
• Avoid drones, loud commentary and flash photography unless organisers explicitly allow them.

The most respectful way to experience Chhath is to let worship take priority over content creation.

Travel, crowd and food planning

Sunset and sunrise gatherings create concentrated traffic at unusual hours. Arrange the return journey before entering the ghat area, carry drinking water for non-fasting companions, and keep children close. Restaurants and transport near major sites may be crowded or operate different hours. For the sunrise ritual, confirm whether your chosen venue is open before leaving; do not assume a normal breakfast schedule on the public holiday.

Plan food and travel with KunRestaurant

Chhath plans often involve an early start, a long wait near water and altered business hours. Compare restaurants open now in Kathmandu, browse Nepali restaurants in Kathmandu, or create a free KunRestaurant account to save practical options. Confirm hours and availability directly before travelling.

Continue the Chhath guide

• Chhath Puja Food: Thekua Recipe and Complete Prasad Guide
• Tihar Festival in Nepal 2026: Dates and Five Days
• Tihar Food in Nepal: Sel Roti and Menu Guide

Sources and freshness note

The 2026 date is cross-checked against the Kathmandu Metropolitan City calendar and an official Embassy of Nepal holiday list. The overview of worship locations and ritual meaning follows the Nepal Tourism Board's Chhath Parva guide. Household observance, exact timing and access rules can vary; this page was reviewed on 7 November 2026 in Nepal time.

FAQ

When is Chhath Puja in Nepal in 2026?

The four-day sequence runs 13–16 November 2026. Sunset arghya and the public holiday are on 15 November; sunrise arghya is on 16 November.

Where is Chhath celebrated in Nepal?

It is especially prominent across Madhesh and the Tarai, including Janakpur, Birgunj and Biratnagar, and is also observed at organised ghats in Kathmandu and other cities.

Can tourists attend Chhath Puja?

Public ghats can be observed respectfully when local access allows. Keep worship routes clear, ask before photographing people and follow organisers' instructions.

Is Chhath a one-day festival?

No. Calendars often show the main public day, but the complete observance spans four days: Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.

Final take

Chhath is a disciplined act of gratitude, purity and community—not a spectacle arranged for visitors. Learn the sequence, protect the cleanliness of the ghat, respect fasting devotees and let local organisers guide your participation.