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

Chhath Puja Arghya Ritual 2026: When and How Is It Performed?

Chhath Puja Arghya is performed twice during the festival: first to the setting Sun on the evening of the third day and then to the rising Sun on the morning of the fourth day. Devotees observing the vrat, known as vratins or vratīs, stand in a river, pond or another suitable water body and offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

In 2026, the two main Arghya rituals will take place on November 15 and November 16. The evening offering is known as Sandhya Arghya, while the morning offering is called Usha Arghya. Both rituals involve carrying traditional offerings in bamboo baskets, reaching the Chhath Ghat, standing in water and offering Arghya with devotion.

The process involves several preparations, and family members also participate by arranging the offerings, carrying the daura and assisting the vratin during the puja. Here is how the complete Arghya ritual is performed, step by step.


Also Read: Chhath Puja 2026 Date: Check 4-Day Calendar, Nahay Khay, Kharna and Arghya Timings

Step 1: Prepare the Chhath Puja Daura and Soop

The first step is to arrange the offerings in the traditional bamboo daura and soop. These baskets carry the prasad and other items that devotees present to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

The offerings commonly include:

• Thekua: A traditional wheat-flour and jaggery preparation that is one of the principal Chhath offerings.
• Kasar: A traditional sweet preparation made using rice flour and jaggery.
• Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, apples, sweet lime and other seasonal fruits.
• Sugarcane: Fresh sugarcane stalks are an important part of the traditional offering.
• Root vegetables: Sweet potatoes, water chestnuts and radishes may be included.
• Other puja items: A diya, incense, flowers, turmeric, ginger and other items according to family tradition.

The offerings are arranged carefully in the soop and daura. The bamboo baskets are traditionally used to carry the prasad to the ghat.

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

Step 2: Carry the Daura to the Chhath Ghat

Once the offerings are ready, family members carry the daura and soop to the designated Chhath Ghat. In many households, male family members and other relatives help carry the heavy baskets, while the vratin accompanies them for the evening or morning worship.

Devotees often walk together while singing traditional Chhath geet. The baskets are handled carefully so that the fruits, thekua, diyas and other offerings remain arranged.

On reaching the ghat, the family places the baskets in a clean, designated area near the water. The offerings are then arranged for the Arghya ceremony.

Step 3: Prepare at the Ghat Before the Arghya

After reaching the ghat, devotees make the necessary preparations before entering the water.

The vratin takes a ritual bath and gets ready for the offering. Family members arrange the soop, fruits, prasad and other puja items. Diyas may be lit as part of the household's traditional observance.

A lota or another suitable vessel containing water and, where customary, milk is also kept ready for the Arghya.

The family ensures that the offerings are accessible and that the vratin has enough space to perform the ritual safely.

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2026: Ghat Preparations, Traditional Songs and Evening Rituals

Step 4: The Vratin Stands in Water for Sandhya Arghya

This is the central part of Sandhya Arghya. As the evening approaches, the vratin enters the water and stands facing the setting Sun.

Traditionally, devotees stand in water up to a comfortable depth, often around the waist, depending on the ghat and local arrangements. The vratin holds the soop containing the offerings or receives assistance from family members.

The setting Sun is worshipped as devotees fold their hands and offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The ritual represents gratitude towards the Sun, which is regarded as the source of life and energy.

Family members remain nearby and help with the offerings throughout the ceremony.

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

Step 5: Offer Sandhya Arghya to the Setting Sun

As the Sun approaches the horizon, the Sandhya Arghya is offered. The vratin raises the soop containing the prasad towards the Sun while water is offered using a lota or another vessel.

In many households, family members assist by pouring water and milk over or alongside the offerings as part of the Arghya ritual. Devotees offer prayers and seek the blessings of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for the well-being and prosperity of their families.

Traditional Chhath songs are also sung during the ceremony. Once the evening offering is completed, devotees return home or follow their family's arrangements for the night.

Step 6: Observe Kosi Rituals, Where Practised

After Sandhya Arghya, some families observe the Kosi ritual during the night. This involves creating a small canopy using sugarcane stalks and placing earthen lamps and offerings beneath it.

The Kosi ritual is particularly associated with family vows, wishes and expressions of gratitude to Chhathi Maiya. Families may sing traditional Chhath songs while performing the ceremony.

Not every household observes Kosi in the same way, and it is not a compulsory step for every devotee. The vratin continues the fast until the final morning Arghya.

Step 7: Return to the Ghat Before Sunrise for Usha Arghya

On the fourth day, November 16, devotees return to the Chhath Ghat before sunrise for Usha Arghya.

The family carries the prepared daura and soop containing the traditional offerings. The vratin gets ready for the morning worship, while family members help arrange the baskets and other puja materials.

Unlike Sandhya Arghya, which is offered to the setting Sun, Usha Arghya is dedicated to the rising Sun. Devotees wait at the ghat for sunrise and prepare to offer their prayers.

Step 8: Stand in Water and Offer Usha Arghya to the Rising Sun

As the Sun rises, the vratin again enters the water and stands facing the eastern direction. The soop containing the offerings is raised towards the rising Sun.

Water and, where customary, milk are offered using a lota as devotees pray to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Family members assist with the ritual and join in the prayers.

Usha Arghya completes the two principal Sun offerings of Chhath Puja. The worship is followed by prayers of gratitude and the final rituals associated with the vrat.

Step 9: Complete the Puja, Perform Parana and Distribute Prasad

After Usha Arghya, the vratin completes the final worship and seeks the blessings of Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev. The 36-hour nirjala fast is then concluded through Parana, following the family's customary practice.

The vratin breaks the fast with water and prasad. Thekua, fruits and other offerings are subsequently distributed among family members, relatives, neighbours and other devotees.

This marks the completion of the four-day Chhath Puja observance.

What Is the Difference Between Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya?

Both rituals involve offering prayers to Surya Dev while standing in water, but they are performed at different times and mark different stages of Chhath Puja.

Ritual	When performed	Direction
Sandhya Arghya	November 15, evening	West, towards the setting Sun
Usha Arghya	November 16, morning	East, towards the rising Sun

The distinctive feature of Chhath Puja is that devotees worship both the setting and rising Sun.

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Important Things to Remember During the Arghya Ritual

• Check the local sunset and sunrise timings before leaving for the ghat, as they differ by city.
• Keep the daura and soop arranged before reaching the water.
• Follow your family's traditional method of offering water and milk.
• Use designated, safe bathing areas and avoid entering deep or fast-flowing water.
• Keep children supervised near the ghat, particularly during crowded evening and early-morning ceremonies.
• Do not leave plastic, food packaging or other waste in the river or pond.

The vratin should also avoid unnecessary physical exertion and seek assistance from family members during the rituals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many times is Arghya offered during Chhath Puja?
   Arghya is offered twice during Chhath Puja: Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun on the third day and Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on the fourth day.
2. Why do devotees stand in water while offering Arghya?
   Standing in water while offering Arghya is a traditional part of Chhath Puja. Devotees perform this ritual as an expression of devotion and gratitude towards Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.
3. What is carried in the daura during Chhath Puja?
   The daura generally contains thekua, fruits, coconut, sugarcane, seasonal produce and other traditional offerings. The exact items vary according to family and regional customs.
4. Who carries the daura to the Chhath Ghat?
   Family members and relatives commonly help carry the daura and soop. In many households, male family members assist with transporting the heavy bamboo baskets.
5. Is milk necessary for offering Arghya during Chhath Puja?
   Water is traditionally used for offering Arghya, while milk is also included in many household traditions. The precise method varies by region and family custom.
6. What happens after Usha Arghya?
   After the morning Arghya, the vratin completes the final prayers, performs Parana to break the fast and distributes Chhath prasad among family members and others.