📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka
Religion
Chhath Puja Begins Nov 13: Four-Day Devotional Festival Kicks Off Across Bihar
✍️ Amar Ujala · Darbhanga
🗓 05 Nov 2026, 12:36 PM
👁 3
The four‑day Chhath Puja, a major Hindu observance, will start on 13 November, with preparations in Bihar outpacing even Diwali festivities.
The Hindu calendar marks 13 November as the opening day of Chhath Puja, a four‑day pilgrimage dedicated to the Sun God. Devotees across Bihar are gathering at riverbanks and ghats to perform the traditional rituals of sunrise and sunset offerings.
In the weeks leading up to the festival, local authorities and community groups have intensified cleaning drives, set up temporary shelters, and arranged lighting to accommodate the expected crowds. Organisers report that the scale of preparation this year exceeds that of the recent Diwali celebrations, reflecting the deep-rooted reverence for the festival in the region.
While Chhath is historically associated with Bihar, it is now observed in several other Indian states, prompting cultural exchanges and shared practices. Religious scholars advise that family members, especially elders and women, play a crucial role in supporting the vratis—those undertaking the fast—by providing food, water, and moral encouragement throughout the rigorous observance.
The festival concludes on 16 November with the "Usha Arghya" ceremony, where devotees offer prayers to the setting sun, seeking blessings for health and prosperity. Authorities have urged participants to follow safety guidelines, maintain cleanliness, and respect local regulations to ensure a peaceful celebration.
In the weeks leading up to the festival, local authorities and community groups have intensified cleaning drives, set up temporary shelters, and arranged lighting to accommodate the expected crowds. Organisers report that the scale of preparation this year exceeds that of the recent Diwali celebrations, reflecting the deep-rooted reverence for the festival in the region.
While Chhath is historically associated with Bihar, it is now observed in several other Indian states, prompting cultural exchanges and shared practices. Religious scholars advise that family members, especially elders and women, play a crucial role in supporting the vratis—those undertaking the fast—by providing food, water, and moral encouragement throughout the rigorous observance.
The festival concludes on 16 November with the "Usha Arghya" ceremony, where devotees offer prayers to the setting sun, seeking blessings for health and prosperity. Authorities have urged participants to follow safety guidelines, maintain cleanliness, and respect local regulations to ensure a peaceful celebration.