Chhath Puja 2026 Day 3: Sandhya Arghya Date, Sunset Time, Puja Vidhi, Samagri and Rituals

Chhath Puja 2026 Day 3: When Is Sandhya Arghya?

Chhath Puja's third day, Sandhya Arghya, will be observed on Sunday, November 15, 2026. It falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and marks the main evening ritual of the four-day Chhath Mahaparv. On this day, devotees observing the Chhath vrat gather at riverbanks, ponds and other water bodies to offer Arghya to the setting Sun. The ritual is performed with traditional offerings arranged in bamboo soop and daura, including thekua, seasonal fruits, sugarcane and other prasad items. The evening offering is followed by prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, while devotees continue their nirjala fast through the night until Usha Arghya the following morning.

Also Read: Chhath Puja Arghya Vidhi 2026: Step-by-Step Rituals, From Preparing the Daura to Offering Water to Surya Dev

Sandhya Arghya 2026 Date and Sunset Time

Sandhya Arghya will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Devotees offer Arghya at sunset, so the exact time differs from one city to another.

Event	Date and timing
Sandhya Arghya	Sunday, November 15, 2026
Hindu month	Kartik
Tithi	Shukla Shashthi
Shashthi Tithi begins	November 14 at 11:23 PM
Shashthi Tithi ends	November 16 at 2:00 AM
Main ritual	Offering Arghya to the setting Sun
Next day's ritual	Usha Arghya, November 16

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST). Tithi timings are based on the New Delhi panchang calculation; local panchang details may vary slightly.

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

Chhath Puja 2026 Sandhya Arghya City-Wise Sunset Timings

The Sandhya Arghya is offered around the local sunset on November 15. Here are the approximate sunset timings for major Indian cities.

City	Sandhya Arghya time
Patna	5:01 PM
Gaya	5:03 PM
Muzaffarpur	4:59 PM
Darbhanga	4:57 PM
Bhagalpur	4:54 PM
Katihar	4:51 PM
Purnia	4:52 PM
Ranchi	5:04 PM
Varanasi	5:10 PM
Lucknow	5:16 PM
Kolkata	4:53 PM
New Delhi	5:28 PM
Mumbai	6:00 PM
Bengaluru	5:50 PM

What Is Sandhya Arghya? Significance of the Third Day of Chhath Puja

Sandhya Arghya is the main evening ritual of Chhath Puja, during which devotees worship the setting Sun by offering water and milk. It is an expression of gratitude towards Surya Dev, who is worshipped as the source of energy and life.

Unlike many other Hindu traditions in which the rising Sun receives the primary offering, Chhath Puja gives equal importance to the setting Sun. The ritual reflects gratitude for the Sun's contribution to life and nature throughout the day.

Devotees, particularly the women observing the vrat, gather at ghats with their families. They stand in water, hold traditional offerings and offer Arghya while praying for the well-being, longevity and prosperity of their children and families.

Thekua, seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other traditional prasad are arranged in bamboo baskets and offered during the ritual. The evening is also marked by devotional songs, prayers and family participation.

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Chhath Puja Day 3 Puja Vidhi: How Is Sandhya Arghya Performed?

The Sandhya Arghya ritual involves preparing the offerings, reaching the ghat before sunset and worshipping the setting Sun.

1. Prepare the puja offerings: Arrange thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other traditional prasad in bamboo soop and daura.
2. Clean and prepare the offerings: Ensure that the fruits, utensils and puja items are clean and arranged according to family traditions.
3. Visit the ghat: Devotees and family members reach a riverbank, pond or designated water body before sunset.
4. Arrange the soop and daura: Place the traditional offerings in the baskets and keep the Arghya items ready.
5. Stand in the water: The vratin enters the water, usually standing waist-deep, according to the family's ritual practice.
6. Offer Arghya to the setting Sun: Water and milk are offered to Surya Dev as the Sun approaches the horizon.
7. Offer prayers to Chhathi Maiya: Devotees pray for the health, protection and prosperity of their families.
8. Continue the vrat: After Sandhya Arghya, the nirjala fast continues overnight until Usha Arghya on November 16.

The precise sequence and customary offerings may differ among families and regions.

Chhath Puja Sandhya Arghya Samagri List

The following items are commonly arranged for the evening Arghya. Some offerings may vary according to regional and family traditions.

Puja item	Purpose
Bamboo soop	Holding and presenting prasad
Daura	Carrying traditional offerings
Thekua	Main traditional Chhath prasad
Seasonal fruits	Offerings to Surya Dev
Sugarcane	Traditional festival offering
Coconut	Puja offering
Banana	Traditional prasad
Rice laddoo or ladoo	Offering
Milk	Arghya offering
Water	Arghya offering
Ghee	Used for diyas and traditional preparations
Earthen diya	Lighting during worship
Cotton wicks	For diyas
Flowers	Puja decoration and offerings
Kumkum and akshat	Traditional puja materials
New cloth	For offerings and ritual arrangements
Soop covering cloth	Arranging traditional offerings

Also Read: Chhath Puja Complete Samagri List: Check All Items Required for Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya

What Happens After Sandhya Arghya?

After offering Arghya to the setting Sun, devotees return home or remain at their designated places according to family customs. The most important part of the observance is that the fast continues through the night.

The vratin does not break the fast after the evening Arghya. The nirjala fast continues until the following morning, when devotees offer Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on November 16.

Families prepare for the final morning ritual by arranging the remaining prasad and puja materials needed for Usha Arghya.

Chhath Puja 2026: What Happens on Day 4?

The fourth and final day of Chhath Puja will be observed on Monday, November 16, with Usha Arghya. Devotees gather at the ghats before sunrise and offer Arghya to the rising Sun.

After completing the morning worship, the vratin performs Parana, marking the end of the Chhath fast. Thekua and other traditional prasad are distributed among family members and devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Sandhya Arghya in Chhath Puja 2026?
   Sandhya Arghya will be observed on Sunday, November 15, 2026, the third day of Chhath Puja.
2. What is the Sandhya Arghya time on November 15, 2026?
   Sandhya Arghya is offered at local sunset. It is approximately 5:01 PM in Patna, 5:28 PM in New Delhi and 4:53 PM in Kolkata.
3. Which Tithi is observed on Sandhya Arghya 2026?
   Sandhya Arghya falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. According to the New Delhi panchang, Shashthi begins at 11:23 PM on November 14 and ends at 2:00 AM on November 16.
4. Why is Arghya offered to the setting Sun during Chhath Puja?
   The evening Arghya is an expression of gratitude towards Surya Dev for sustaining life and providing energy. Chhath Puja honours both the setting and rising Sun.
5. What is offered during Sandhya Arghya?
   Devotees traditionally offer water, milk, thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other prasad arranged in bamboo soop and daura.
6. Do devotees break their fast after Sandhya Arghya?
   No. The nirjala fast continues overnight after Sandhya Arghya. It is completed after Usha Arghya on November 16.
7. When is Usha Arghya in Chhath Puja 2026?
   Usha Arghya will be observed on Monday, November 16, 2026, at sunrise.
8. What is the significance of the third day of Chhath Puja?
   The third day marks the main evening worship of the festival. Devotees offer Arghya to the setting Sun and pray to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for family well-being, health and prosperity.