Chhath Nahay Khay 2026: November 13 or 14? Check Day 1 Date, Rituals, Kaddu Bhaat and Vrat Rules

Nahay Khay 2026 will be observed on Friday, November 13, marking the beginning of Chhath Puja. It falls on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and is traditionally associated with purification and preparation for the days of fasting and worship ahead.

On this day, devotees observing the Chhath vrat take a bath, clean their homes and kitchens, and prepare a simple vegetarian meal. The first day is particularly important because it establishes the dietary discipline and cleanliness followed throughout the festival.

Nahay Khay 2026 Date and Chhath Puja Calendar

Nahay Khay will fall on November 13, 2026, which is a Friday. It is followed by three more days of rituals dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Chhath Puja Ritual	Date	Day
Nahay Khay	November 13, 2026	Friday
Kharna (Lohanda)	November 14, 2026	Saturday
Sandhya Arghya	November 15, 2026	Sunday
Usha Arghya and Parana	November 16, 2026	Monday

Nahay Khay falls on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi. Kharna is observed on Panchami, followed by Sandhya Arghya on Shashthi and Usha Arghya on Saptami. The sunset and sunrise timings for the Arghya rituals differ from city to city. Devotees should check their local Panchang for the relevant timings rather than rely on a single nationwide time.

Read Detailed: Chhath Puja 2026 Date: November 15 or 16? Check 4-Day Calendar, Nahay Khay, Kharna and Arghya Timings

What Is Nahay Khay and Why Is It Celebrated?

Nahay Khay literally means 'bathe and eat'. It marks the beginning of the Chhath observance, when devotees prepare themselves for the strict rituals and fasting that follow.

The day centres on maintaining physical cleanliness, preparing food in a carefully cleaned kitchen and following a simple vegetarian diet. Many devotees take a holy dip in a river or pond, while others perform their bathing ritual at home according to their family customs.

Cleaning the home and cooking area is also an important part of the observance. These preparations reflect the emphasis on purity, discipline and devotion associated with Chhath Puja.

The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. Through its rituals, devotees express gratitude for the Sun's life-sustaining energy and pray for the well-being, prosperity and happiness of their families.

You Might Also Like: Who Is Chhathi Maiya? The Goddess Behind Chhath Puja and Her Surprising Connection With Surya Dev

Nahay Khay 2026: What Are the Rituals and Puja Vidhi?

The first day of Chhath Puja follows a series of preparations that devotees generally complete before beginning the next stage of the vrat.

1. Clean the home and kitchen

Devotees begin by thoroughly cleaning their homes, particularly the kitchen and the areas where food and prasad will be prepared. Cooking vessels and other utensils are washed carefully. Some families also use separate utensils and cooking arrangements for Chhath food.

2. Take a holy bath

The person observing the vrat traditionally takes a bath in a river or pond. Where access to a water body is difficult, devotees may bathe at home and follow their household customs, including using Gangajal where customary.

3. Prepare a sattvik meal

Fresh vegetarian food is prepared with particular attention to cleanliness. The traditional Nahay Khay meal commonly includes kaddu-bhaat, chana dal and rice. Onion and garlic are avoided in many households, and sendha namak is traditionally preferred.

4. Offer prayers and eat the meal

After the food is prepared, prayers are offered according to family traditions. The vrat observer generally eats the meal first, after which other family members may also consume it as prasad.

5. Prepare for Kharna

Once the first day's observance is complete, preparations begin for Kharna, the second day of Chhath Puja. Devotees arrange the ingredients and other items required for the evening prasad and the fasting rituals ahead.

Also Read: Chhath Puja Vrat Rules 2026: What Can Parvaitins Eat and What Should They Avoid During the Fast

What Do Devotees Eat on Nahay Khay? Know the Kaddu-Bhaat Tradition

Kaddu-bhaat is one of the most recognised traditional meals associated with Nahay Khay. It is commonly prepared using bottle gourd (lauki), chana dal and rice.

The meal generally consists of:

• Kaddu or lauki ki sabzi: A simple bottle gourd preparation cooked with ghee and basic spices.
• Chana dal: A freshly cooked preparation made with chana dal and traditional seasoning.
• Arwa chawal: Plain rice, commonly served with the vegetable and dal.
• Sendha namak: Rock salt, traditionally used instead of regular table salt in many households.
• Pure ghee: Used in the preparation according to family customs.

The food is generally prepared without onion and garlic. Fresh ingredients, clean cooking vessels and a hygienic kitchen are considered important during the observance.

Read More: Nahay Khay 2026: Kaddu Bhaat Recipe, Traditional Food Rules

Nahay Khay Samagri List: What Should Devotees Prepare?

For the first day, the essential preparations mainly concern the ritual bath, kitchen cleanliness and the traditional meal.

The commonly used items include:

• Kaddu or bottle gourd
• Chana dal
• Arwa rice
• Sendha namak
• Pure ghee
• Fresh vegetables and permitted spices
• Clean cooking utensils and serving vessels
• Fresh water and Gangajal, where used according to family custom

This is the basic Day 1 preparation list, not the complete Chhath Puja samagri list. Items such as bamboo soop, daura, thekua, sugarcane and fruits are associated with the subsequent offerings and should be covered separately in the Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya guides.

Also Read: Chhath Puja Prasad 2026: How to Make Traditional Thekua and What to Keep in the Daura

Does the 36-Hour Nirjala Fast Begin on Nahay Khay?

No. Nahay Khay marks the beginning of the four-day Chhath observance, but it is not the start of the traditional 36-hour nirjala fasting period.

Many devotees observing Nahay Khay consume one sattvik meal after their bathing and purification rituals. The second day, Kharna, involves fasting during the day, followed by evening prayers and prasad.

The extended nirjala fast begins after the Kharna prasad is consumed. Devotees then continue without food and water until they complete the Usha Arghya ritual on November 16.

This distinction is important for anyone trying to understand the different fasting stages of Chhath Puja.

Also Read: Why Chhath Puja Is Considered One of the Strictest Hindu Fasts: The 36-Hour Nirjala Vrat Explained

What Happens After Nahay Khay?

Nahay Khay is followed by Kharna on November 14. On this day, devotees observe a fast during the day and prepare traditional prasad, commonly including jaggery-based rice kheer and roti, for the evening.

The next day, November 15, is Sandhya Arghya. Devotees gather near rivers, ponds and other water bodies to offer prayers and arghya to the setting Sun.

The festival concludes on November 16 with Usha Arghya, when devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun. The vrat is completed with Parana after the morning ritual.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Nahay Khay in 2026?
   Nahay Khay will be observed on Friday, November 13, 2026. It marks the first day of Chhath Puja and falls on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi.
2. When is Chhath Puja Nahay Khay?
   Chhath Puja's Nahay Khay ritual will take place on November 13, 2026. Kharna follows on November 14, Sandhya Arghya on November 15 and Usha Arghya on November 16.
3. What is eaten on Nahay Khay?
   Devotees traditionally prepare kaddu-bhaat, consisting of bottle gourd or lauki, chana dal and rice. Sendha namak and ghee are commonly used, while onion and garlic are avoided in many households.
4. Can Nahay Khay be observed at home?
   Yes. Devotees who cannot visit a river or pond may take a bath at home and follow their family traditions. The home and kitchen are cleaned carefully before preparing the traditional meal.
5. Which day is the main Chhath Puja in 2026?
   The main evening observance, Sandhya Arghya, will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Usha Arghya and Parana will follow on Monday, November 16.