Chhath Puja Day 2 (14 November, 2026): Kharna Date, Puja Vidhi, Kheer Prasad and Fasting Rules

Chhath Puja 2026 will observe its second day, known as Kharna or Lohanda, on Saturday, November 14. On this day, devotees observing the Chhath vrat maintain a fast throughout the day and perform evening prayers before consuming the traditional Kharna prasad. The special offering generally includes jaggery-based rice kheer, wheat roti and fruits. Kharna holds particular significance because it marks the beginning of the rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast, which continues until devotees offer Usha Arghya to the rising Sun on November 16.

The four-day Chhath festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Particularly popular in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the festival involves strict fasting, traditional food preparations and prayers offered to the setting and rising Sun. Kharna is an important stage of this observance, as devotees prepare themselves physically and spiritually for the final two days of fasting.

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

Chhath Puja 2026: Kharna Date and Day

Kharna will be observed on Saturday, November 14, 2026. It falls on the second day of the four-day Chhath festival, following Nahay Khay.

Here is the complete Chhath Puja 2026 calendar:

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

Kharna is generally performed after sunset. Devotees complete their evening prayers before consuming the specially prepared prasad. The exact observance may vary according to family traditions.

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

What Is Kharna and Why Is It Celebrated?

Kharna, also known as Lohanda, is the second day of Chhath Puja. It is observed to prepare devotees for the demanding Nirjala vrat that follows.

On this day, the vratin (person observing the fast) abstains from food and water during the day and prepares a traditional meal for the evening. After offering prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, the devotee consumes the Kharna prasad.

This meal is particularly important because, after consuming it, devotees begin their approximately 36-hour Nirjala fast. During this period, they traditionally avoid both food and water until the morning of November 16, when they complete the Usha Arghya ritual.

Kharna represents discipline, purity and devotion. It also brings families together as they participate in preparing the prasad and distributing it among relatives and neighbours.

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Chhath Kharna Puja Vidhi: How Is the Ritual Performed?

Kharna involves several traditional practices, with cleanliness and devotion being central to the observance. The following are the main steps followed by devotees:

1. Morning bath and preparation

Devotees begin the day by taking a bath and maintaining cleanliness in their homes. The kitchen and cooking area are thoroughly cleaned before preparing the evening prasad. Many families use separate utensils for Chhath preparations.

2. Observing the day-long fast

The vratin observes a fast throughout the day, traditionally without consuming food or water. The purpose is to prepare for the more rigorous fasting period that begins after the evening Kharna meal.

3. Preparing traditional Kharna prasad

In the evening, devotees prepare special offerings, particularly gur ki kheer (jaggery-based rice pudding) and wheat roti. The food is prepared with great care, following the cleanliness and dietary rules associated with Chhath Puja.

4. Offering prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya

After preparing the food, devotees arrange the prasad and perform evening prayers. The offerings are dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, seeking their blessings for family health, happiness and prosperity.

5. Consuming the Kharna prasad

After completing the prayers, the vratin consumes the prasad. This meal marks the end of the day's fast and the beginning of the strict Nirjala vrat.

6. Distributing prasad among family members

The remaining Kharna prasad is distributed among family members and relatives. Sharing the offering is an important part of the tradition and reflects the festival's spirit of devotion and togetherness.

Kharna Kheer Prasad 2026: Ingredients and Traditional Preparation

Kheer is among the most important offerings prepared on Kharna. Unlike regular rice kheer, the traditional preparation commonly uses jaggery instead of refined sugar.

The preparation is generally simple and includes:

• Rice
• Milk
• Jaggery (gur)
• Water
• Ghee, where required by family tradition

The rice is washed and cooked with milk until it becomes soft. Jaggery is added to give the kheer its characteristic sweetness and flavour. The preparation is completed carefully, ensuring the offering remains free from ingredients that are not permitted in the family's Chhath food traditions.

Along with kheer, devotees commonly prepare wheat roti, sometimes cooked with ghee. Bananas and other fruits may also be included in the offerings.

In several households across Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, Kharna kheer is traditionally prepared using clean utensils and a carefully maintained cooking area. Some families also use an earthen stove for preparing the prasad.

Read Detail: Kharna 2026: What Is Prepared for Prasad and Why? Significance of Gur Ki Kheer and Roti

Chhath Puja Kharna Fasting Rules: What Should Devotees Follow?

Kharna is associated with strict fasting and food-related customs. Devotees generally follow these rules:

• Maintain cleanliness: The home, kitchen and utensils used for preparing prasad should be thoroughly cleaned.
• Avoid non-vegetarian food: Chhath preparations follow a strictly sattvik food tradition.
• Avoid onion and garlic: These ingredients are generally excluded from Chhath prasad and meals.
• Use traditional ingredients: Jaggery, rice, milk and wheat flour are commonly used for Kharna preparations.
• Maintain fasting discipline: Devotees observe a day-long fast and consume the prasad only after evening prayers.
• Begin the Nirjala vrat: After Kharna prasad, devotees traditionally avoid food and water until Usha Arghya and Parana.
• Distribute the prasad: The prepared offering is shared with family members and other devotees.

Fasting customs can differ between households and regions. The traditional Nirjala vrat can be physically demanding, so people with medical conditions or those taking regular medication should seek medical advice and prioritise their health.

What Happens After Kharna During Chhath Puja?

After Kharna, the festival moves towards its most significant rituals. On November 15, devotees will observe Sandhya Arghya and offer prayers to the setting Sun. Families gather at rivers, ponds and designated Chhath ghats with bamboo baskets containing traditional offerings such as thekua, fruits, sugarcane and coconuts.

The final day, November 16, will begin with Usha Arghya, when devotees offer prayers to the rising Sun. After completing the morning rituals, they perform Parana and break their approximately 36-hour Nirjala fast. Kharna therefore serves as an important transition in the four-day festival, preparing devotees for the final offerings and completion of their Chhath vrat.