Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/Surya Sashthi)

India recognizes Chhat Puja on November 15, 2026, as an ancient solar festival dedicated to the deity Surya and the goddess Chhathi Maiya. Primarily centered in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the four-day event focuses on thanking the sun for its life-sustaining energy through specific environmental rituals.

This date constitutes a public holiday in several Indian states, resulting in the closure of government offices, banks, and schools in those regions. While some private businesses remain open, many operate with reduced staffing to accommodate the religious commitments of employees.

The observance is notable for its emphasis on ecological preservation and the worship of natural phenomena rather than idol-based ceremonies. It functions as a significant tool for social cohesion, as its traditional practices disregard caste and economic distinctions by requiring identical rituals from all participants.

In many parts of India, the four-day sequence begins with purification rites known as Nahay Khay and proceeds to a day of strict fasting called Kharna. Large crowds gather at riverbanks and lakes for the Sandhya Arghya to offer prayers to the setting sun, followed by similar rituals the next morning for the rising sun.

Physical participation involves devotees standing waist-deep in water while presenting bamboo baskets filled with seasonal fruits and traditional sweets like Thekua. While major riverside festivals define the event in the north, urban areas across the country often create temporary water tanks to facilitate these ceremonies.