📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka
Religion
Chhath Puja 2026 Begins Today in Bihar with Special Planetary Alignment
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 13 Nov 2026, 11:01 AM
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The four‑day Chhath Puja, a major sun‑worship festival, commenced on Friday, 13 November, with the traditional ‘nahay‑khay’ rituals, coinciding with a rare planetary alignment.
The four‑day Chhath Puja, one of the most revered festivals in Bihar, started on Friday, 13 November 2026. Devotees began the observance with the "nahay‑khay" ceremony, which involves taking a holy dip in the river followed by a simple, vegetarian meal prepared without onion, garlic or meat.
Chhath is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the sun god, and follows a strict sequence of rituals that culminate in the evening offering of "arghya" to the setting sun. This year, the festival coincides with an unusual alignment of planets and constellations, a detail that has drawn attention from astrologers across the region.
Astrology experts say the conjunction could amplify the auspiciousness of the rites, potentially bringing greater prosperity and health to participants. However, they caution that the core significance of the festival remains its devotion to the sun and the collective gratitude expressed by the community.
Authorities in Bihar have issued standard safety advisories for the large gatherings along riverbanks, urging crowd control measures and cleanliness to ensure a smooth celebration.
As the first day of the Mahaprav unfolds, millions of worshippers across the state are expected to continue the prescribed fasts, prayers, and rituals over the next three days, culminating in the final "Usha Arghya" at sunrise on the concluding day.
Chhath is dedicated to the worship of Surya, the sun god, and follows a strict sequence of rituals that culminate in the evening offering of "arghya" to the setting sun. This year, the festival coincides with an unusual alignment of planets and constellations, a detail that has drawn attention from astrologers across the region.
Astrology experts say the conjunction could amplify the auspiciousness of the rites, potentially bringing greater prosperity and health to participants. However, they caution that the core significance of the festival remains its devotion to the sun and the collective gratitude expressed by the community.
Authorities in Bihar have issued standard safety advisories for the large gatherings along riverbanks, urging crowd control measures and cleanliness to ensure a smooth celebration.
As the first day of the Mahaprav unfolds, millions of worshippers across the state are expected to continue the prescribed fasts, prayers, and rituals over the next three days, culminating in the final "Usha Arghya" at sunrise on the concluding day.