संध्या अर्घ्य — Evening Arghya
5:45 PM
Nov 3, 2026 · Society Ghat
उषा अर्घ्य — Morning Arghya
6:15 AM
Nov 4, 2026 · Society Ghat
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Nov 1नहाय खाय
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Nov 2खरना
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Nov 3संध्या अर्घ्य
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Nov 4उषा अर्घ्य
🙏 What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath Puja is an ancient Vedic festival dedicated to Surya Devata (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (the sixth form of Goddess Shakti). Observed primarily by the Bihari and Eastern UP communities, it is one of India's oldest festivals — predating even Diwali.
The festival honours the Sun as the ultimate source of life and energy. Devotees (Vratis) undertake a rigorous 36-hour waterless fast, offer prayers at the ghat at sunset and sunrise, and pray for the well-being of their families. पंच वर्ष महोत्सव — this 2026 celebration marks our fifth year at PSOTS, making it extra grand.
The festival honours the Sun as the ultimate source of life and energy. Devotees (Vratis) undertake a rigorous 36-hour waterless fast, offer prayers at the ghat at sunset and sunrise, and pray for the well-being of their families. पंच वर्ष महोत्सव — this 2026 celebration marks our fifth year at PSOTS, making it extra grand.
🌊
01Nov 2026
Nahay Khay — Day 1
नहाय खाय · The Holy Bath
Devotees take a ritual holy bath in clean water, symbolising purification of body and soul. They then consume a single sattvic meal — traditionally lauki (bottle gourd) sabzi with arwa chawal (unpolished rice). No salt, no garlic, no onion. This is a personal, home-based ritual observed privately by each vrati and their family.
🕕 Early morning
🏠 At home
🙏 Vratis begin fast
What to do
- Take a holy bath early morning with clean water
- Cook and eat sattvic prasad (no garlic/onion/salt)
- Purchase bamboo baskets (soop) and fruits if not done
🍚
02Nov 2026
Kharna — Day 2
खरना · Breaking the Day-long Fast
Vratis observe a full-day fast (no food or water). After sunset, they break the fast with kheer prasad made from rice, jaggery and fresh milk — cooked in an earthen pot on a mud stove using mango wood. This kheer is first offered to the Sun God. The community comes together for सामुदायिक खरना प्रसाद — dinner for all PSOTS residents at the Community Hall.
🌙 Evening after sunset
🍚 Prasad: 7:00 PM · Community Hall
👨👩👧👦 Open for all residents
What to do
- Vratis: full-day fast begins at sunrise — no water
- All residents: join the community prasad dinner at 7 PM
- Bring your family — it's a community celebration
- Dress modestly and respectfully for the occasion
🌇
03Nov 2026
Sandhya Arghya — Day 3
संध्या अर्घ्य · Offering to the Setting Sun
The grandest evening of the festival. Vratis, clad in new traditional attire, stand in the water at the ghat and offer arghya — a bamboo basket filled with fruits, sugarcane, thekua, and flowers — to the setting sun. The ghat is beautifully lit with earthen diyas, marigold decorations, and coloured lights. Live bhajans, community aarti, and the collective sound of bells creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
🌇 Sunset Arghya: 5:45 PM
📍 Society Ghat
🎵 Live bhajans
🪔 Ghat illuminated
What to do
- Arrive at the ghat by 5:00 PM — it gets crowded near sunset
- Witness the arghya and participate in aarti — all residents welcome
- Photography: please maintain distance from Vratis during ritual
- Children must be supervised near the water at all times
- Distribute prasad (fruits, thekua) to fellow residents after arghya
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04Nov 2026
Usha Arghya — Day 4
उषा अर्घ्य · Welcoming the Rising Sun
In the pre-dawn darkness, Vratis return to the ghat for the final arghya — offered to the rising sun. As the first rays of light touch the water, the 36-hour fast concludes with prayers and gratitude. Thekua prasad (sweet wheat cookies) is distributed to all PSOTS residents. This is followed by grand 5th-year cultural performances — a special milestone celebration with music, dance, and community fellowship.
🌅 Sunrise Arghya: 6:15 AM
📍 Society Ghat
🎉 Cultural programme after
🙏 Thekua prasad for all
What to do
- Arrive at the ghat by 5:45 AM — it's still dark, bring a torch
- Receive thekua prasad after the arghya — for all PSOTS families
- Stay for the cultural programme — starts around 7:30 AM
- Congratulate the Vratis on completing their fast
📍 Venue & Getting There
Main Ghat
Society Ghat — Prestige Song of the South. The ghat is at the far end of the south garden near the swimming pool area.
Community Hall
Kharna prasad on Nov 2 will be held at the PSOTS Community Hall. Seating for 100+ families.
Parking
Use the visitor parking near the south entrance. Residents please use designated slots to leave visitor areas free for guests.
Dress Code
Traditional Indian attire preferred at the ghat — saree, kurta, or dhoti. Modest clothing. Avoid footwear near the water.
Ghat Etiquette
Maintain silence during rituals. No loud music at the ghat. Videos and photos are welcome but please respect Vratis' space.
Helpline
Pushkal: 9482088904 · Treasurer: 9902837002. Available during all event days 4 AM – 10 PM.