Chhath Puja in Varanasi 2026: Dates, Best Ghats & Stay Guide

Families stand in the river at sunset and sunrise, holding bamboo baskets filled with fruit, sugarcane and thekua towards the sun. The ghats glow with diyas, the air smells of ghee and incense, and the whole riverfront sings together. If you have been searching for the Chhath Puja date or wondering how to watch it in Varanasi, this guide will help you plan your visit in a simple way. It covers the dates, the timings, the best ghats, a few rules to keep in mind and the best place to stay.
 

Chhath Puja 2026 Dates at a Glance

Chhath is a four day festival. This year it begins on 13 November and ends on 16 November. It comes just before Dev Deepawali, which falls on 24 November. The two main days for visitors are the third and fourth days, when devotees offer water and prasad to the setting and rising sun.

Chhath Puja 2026 dates and rituals

Day	Date	Ritual	What Happens
First day	Friday, 13 November	Nahay Khay	Holy bath in the Ganga and one simple, pure meal
Second day	Saturday, 14 November	Kharna	Fast all day, then kheer and roti prasad after sunset
Third day	Sunday, 15 November	Sandhya Arghya	Evening offering to the setting sun at the ghat
Fourth day	Monday, 16 November	Usha Arghya and Parana	Morning offering to the rising sun, then the fast is broken

After the Kharna prasad, the devotees, who are called vratis, keep a strict fast for about thirty-six hours without even a sip of water. This is why the ghats feel so calm and full of faith on the third and fourth days. If you are a visitor and not a vrati, the evening of 15 November and the morning of 16 November are the two moments you should plan around.
 

Why Chhath Puja in Varanasi Feels So Special

Chhath is mainly a festival of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Varanasi sits right in the middle of that region. Lakhs of families from the city and nearby districts come to the ghats, ponds and kunds to take part.

What makes it different here is the view. You are not watching it at a small pond. You are standing on the same old steps where the Ganga Aarti happens, with palaces and temples rising behind the crowd. Women in bright sarees walk down to the water, and men carry heavy bamboo trays on their heads. Families sing old Chhath songs together, sugarcane stalks are tied into small canopies at the edge of the water, and rows of diyas float and flicker on the river.

There are no big stages and no shows. It is a family festival, and visitors are welcome to watch quietly and with respect.
 

Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya Timings in Varanasi

The offering is always made at the exact time of sunset and sunrise, so the timing depends on the city. For Varanasi in mid November, the sunset is at around ten minutes past five in the evening, and the sunrise is at around quarter past six in the morning. These timings can change by a minute or two depending on the source, so it is wise to check a local panchang a few days before you travel.

Families do not come at the last minute. Most vratis reach the ghat a few hours before sunset to set up their spot, and they come well before dawn on the last day. As a visitor, you should try to be at the ghat by half past three in the afternoon on 15 November, and by quarter to five in the morning on 16 November. This gives you time to walk in slowly, find a safe place on the steps and enjoy the whole build up.

On the evening of Sandhya Arghya, the ghats fill up slowly from the afternoon. As the sun goes down, the vratis walk into the water, fold their hands and raise their offerings. The moment is quiet and emotional, even with thousands of people around you.

Usha Arghya feels different. It starts in the dark with lamps and songs, and slowly the sky turns orange over the far bank. When the sun appears, the offering is made, and many families celebrate with hugs, prasad and sweets.

 

Best Ghats for Chhath Puja in Varanasi

Varanasi has eighty-four ghats, and Chhath is celebrated at many of them. These are the ones visitors enjoy the most.

Assi Ghat

Assi Ghat is the favourite for people who want a calmer and more traditional feel. The ghat is wide, the steps are easy to sit on, and it is usually decorated with lights and flowers during the festival.

Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Nearby Ghats

This is the most famous stretch in Varanasi, and also the busiest. Rajendra Prasad Ghat and Sheetla Ghat close by also fill up with families. The mood is grand and great for photos, but the lanes are narrow and very crowded.

Rajghat and Namo Ghat

These ghats are on the northern side, where there is more open space. If you want to see Chhath on a bigger scale with a little more room to move, this side is worth a visit. Vehicles are often stopped before reaching this area during the festival, so be ready to walk the last part.
 

Shastri Ghat and the Varuna Riverside

These are good if you want a local, neighbourhood feel away from the main tourist stretch. Large gatherings happen here every year.

If it is your first time, choose Assi for a relaxed view or Dashashwamedh for the grand scene. If you have two evenings free, try both.
 

Crowds, Traffic, Boats and Simple Etiquette

This is the part many visitors miss, so please read it carefully.

Traffic

In recent years, the traffic police have stopped vehicles from going towards the ghats on the two main days of Chhath, and parking has been arranged away from the river. Similar arrangements are likely again this year, so plan to walk the last stretch. Wear comfortable shoes and carry only what you need. Check the latest police notice for diversions a day or two before you travel, and ask your hotel for the newest updates.

Boats

The water near the busy ghats is usually kept clear at the time of Arghya, so do not count on a boat ride at sunset on 15 November or at sunrise on 16 November. Plan your boat ride for another time of day, such as late morning, and ask your boatman about the current safety rules.

Crowds

Expect a very large crowd across the city. The ghats are well managed, with rescue teams and cameras in place, but they are full. Keep your group close, agree on a meeting point and keep your valuables in a front bag. It is better not to take small children into the thickest part of the crowd.

Etiquette

Chhath is a deep and personal prayer, so a few habits go a long way:

• Do not step into a family's marked space or touch their baskets.
• Ask before taking close photos of women in the water. Wide shots of the ghat are fine.
• Keep your voice low and your phone on silent.
• Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees.
• Do not offer money or food to those who are fasting.
• Carry your trash with you and keep the ghat clean.
   

Stay at The Elegance, Varanasi

A festival like Chhath is best enjoyed when you have a calm and comfortable place to return to. The Elegance is a hotel in Varanasi that offers clean rooms, warm service and a peaceful stay for families, couples and solo travellers.

Because roads near the ghats can be closed to vehicles, it helps to stay with a team that knows the city well. The staff at The Elegance can tell you about the latest traffic changes, help you book a cab and suggest the best time to leave for the ghat. For the early morning on 16 November, when you have to leave in the dark, it is a big comfort to know that your hotel can help with a simple plan.

After a long evening in the crowd, you can come back to a quiet room, have a warm meal and rest well before the next day. This is especially useful for families with children and for senior guests, who need a little more rest between the festival moments. Rooms in Varanasi fill up fast around festival dates, so it is a good idea to book early.
 

A Simple Plan for Your Chhath Trip

Most visitors do well with two nights and three days.

On Saturday, 14 November, arrive and settle in. Rest at the hotel, then take a gentle walk through the old lanes in the evening. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple early if you want a shorter queue.

On Sunday, 15 November, watch the sunrise at Assi Ghat in the morning and have a slow breakfast of kachori and jalebi. Rest in the afternoon and leave for your chosen ghat by three. Be there by half past three to watch Sandhya Arghya.

On Monday, 16 November, leave your hotel before dawn and walk to the ghat. Watch the Usha Arghya at sunrise. Later in the morning, take a peaceful boat ride when the waterfront opens up again, and visit Sarnath in the afternoon if you have time.

The weather in mid November is pleasant, with warm days and cool nights, so carry a light jacket for the early mornings. Carry some cash for small shops, keep your phone charged and bring a power bank for your maps and camera.
 

Final Thoughts

Chhath Puja in Varanasi is not a show. It is a living festival of faith, where the river, the sun and thousands of families come together twice a day. If you plan around sunset on 15 November and sunrise on 16 November, choose your ghat early and expect to walk, you will see something you will remember for many years.

If you have a few extra days, you can also stay for Dev Deepawali on 24 November, when the ghats shine with lakhs of lamps. Whether you come for one festival or both, a comfortable stay makes all the difference, and The Elegance is a warm and easy choice for your time in Varanasi.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

When is Chhath Puja in Varanasi in 2026?

Chhath Puja runs from 13 November to 16 November. The main days for visitors are 15 November for the evening offering and 16 November for the morning offering.

What are the Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya timings in Varanasi?

The evening offering is made at sunset, which is around ten minutes past five. The morning offering is made at sunrise, which is around quarter past six. Timings can change by a minute or two, so check a local panchang before you go.

Which is the best ghat to watch Chhath Puja in Varanasi?

Assi Ghat is best for a calm and traditional feel, while Dashashwamedh Ghat is best for a grand and busy scene. Rajghat and Namo Ghat are good if you want more open space.

Can I take a boat ride during Chhath Puja?

Boats are usually kept away from the busy ghats at the time of sunset and sunrise offerings. It is better to plan your boat ride for late morning or another quiet time of day.

Can vehicles go near the ghats during Chhath Puja?

Vehicles are often stopped before the ghats on the two main days, so you may need to walk the last stretch. Wear comfortable shoes and ask your hotel for the latest traffic updates before you leave.