Chhath Puja 2020: Date, time, puja vidhi, and everything you need to know

Chhath Puja is performed for four days, starting from the fourth day (Chaturthi) and concluding on the seventh day (Saptami) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in the month of Karthika (November – December). During this four-day puja, devotees observe fasting and worship the sun god.


Chhath puja is famous and celebrated mainly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and some parts of Nepal. The other names of Chhath puja are Pratihar, Dala Chhath, Chhathi, and Surya Shashthi.


Date and timing of Chhath puja 2020


In 2020, Chhath puja will start on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The conclusion of Chhath puja will happen on Saturday, November 21, 2020.


Sunrise and sunset timings are very important during the four-day-long Chhath puja.


The sunrise and sunset timings on these four days will be as follows:


November 18, 2020: Sunrise at 6:46 am and sunset at 5:26 pm.

November 19, 2020: Sunrise at 6:47 am and sunset at 5:26 pm.

November 20, 2020: Sunrise at 6:48 am and sunset at 5:26 pm.

November 21, 2020: Sunrise at 6:49 am and sunset at 5:25 pm.


Chhath Puja vidhi - rituals done during these four days


Day One

The first day of Chhath puja is called Nahay Khay and will be observed on November 18, 2020. On this day, the tradition consists of cleaning the house and a ritual bath. The family prepares a special meal and partakes it together. This is the only meal of the day, and the devotees break the fast only the next day after offering prayers to the rising sun.


Day Two

On the second day of Chhath puja, the ritual called Kharna consists of a day-long fast concluding in the evening after sun worship during the sunset. During this fast, the devotees do not even drink water, and such a rigorous fast is known as Nirjala (without water). The special dish prepared for the puja is known as kheer. The prasad offered includes kheer, fruits, and thekua.


Day Three

The third day ritual for the Chhath puja is known as Sandhya Arghya and is the main day of this festival. On this day, the women observe a day-long fast and break it only the next day after sunrise.


Day Four

The fourth day ritual for the Chhath puja is called Usha Arghya, which means offering to the rising sun. On this day, people perform the puja during the sunrise time and then break their fast. This marks the completion of all the rituals for Chhath Puja.