Chhath Puja 2026: Date, Tithi, Muhurta & Significance
In 2026, Chhath Puja falls on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
History & Mythology
Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient Vedic ceremonies still practiced today—a direct continuation of sun worship described in the Rigveda. Unlike most Hindu festivals that focus on idol worship, Chhath worships the Sun directly in his natural form as he crosses the horizon. The festival spans four days, with the central rituals being the offering of arghya (consecrated water, milk, flowers, and seasonal fruits) to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) and the rising sun (Usha Arghya) by devotees standing waist-deep in rivers or ponds.
The goddess of the sixth day—Chhathi Maiya—is identified in some traditions with Usha (the Vedic goddess of dawn), in others with Sashti Devi who protects newborns. The severe four-day fast—nearly 36 hours without food or water before the morning offering—is considered one of the most austere of all Hindu fasts.
According to one legend, Draupadi and the Pandavas performed Chhath Puja on the instruction of Sage Dhaumya to help regain their lost kingdom. Another legend connects it with the warrior Karna, son of the Sun god himself, who is said to have stood in the Ganga offering water to his divine father Surya during long meditative fasts—the first Chhath devotee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Hindu festival dates calculated?
Hindu festival dates are calculated using the Panchang — the Vedic almanac based on Tithi (lunar day), Nakshatra (Moon's asterism), and other astronomical factors. Most festivals fall on specific Tithis in particular lunar months. AstroJanamPatrika calculates these with the Swiss Ephemeris, making dates accurate to the minute rather than relying on pre-printed almanacs.
Why do Hindu festival dates change every year?
Hindu festivals follow the lunisolar calendar, not the Gregorian solar calendar. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, festivals drift earlier each year, and an intercalary month (Adhika Masa) is added roughly every 2–3 years to realign the two. This is why Diwali, Navratri and other festivals fall on different Gregorian dates each year.
What is Tithi in the Hindu calendar?
Tithi is the lunar day, determined by the angular distance between the Moon and Sun in multiples of 12°. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month — 15 in the waxing Shukla Paksha and 15 in the waning Krishna Paksha. Most festivals are tied to a specific Tithi, which is why their Gregorian dates shift each year.
What is Shubh Muhurta for festival rituals?
Shubh Muhurta is the auspicious time window for performing rituals, determined by combining Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Vara and Choghadiya. AstroJanamPatrika computes the precise muhurta for each festival from your local sunrise, Tithi end times and auspicious Nakshatras.
What are Purnima and Amavasya?
Purnima is the full-moon day (15th Tithi of Shukla Paksha), when Moon and Sun are 180° apart; Amavasya is the new-moon day, when they are conjunct. Both are highly significant — Purnima for celebrations, Amavasya for ancestral rites (Pitru Tarpan).