✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: Chhath Puja 2026 runs 13-16 November across the tricity. Chandigarh’s main ghat is Sector 42 Lake, organised by a local samiti since 2016 with CCTV, a 24×7 control room and dedicated lighting. Panchkula holds a state-level Chhath Mahotsav on the banks of the Ghaggar river, while Mohali district sees celebrations across Dera Bassi, Mubarikpur, Lalru and Balongi, and Zirakpur marks it at the local mela ground.
Chhath Puja is one of the most visible festivals of the tricity’s Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh community — a four-day observance built entirely around sunrise and sunset offerings to the Sun god, at a handful of specific ghats that fill with devotees each November.
Chhath Puja 2026 Dates
| Day | 2026 Date | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Nahay Khay | Friday, 13 November | Ritual bath and a single satvik meal |
| Kharna | Saturday, 14 November | Day-long fast broken at sunset with kheer and roti |
| Sandhya Arghya | Sunday, 15 November | Evening offering to the setting sun at the ghat |
| Usha Arghya | Monday, 16 November | Morning offering to the rising sun; fast concludes |
Exact sunrise and sunset times for the arghya offerings are location-specific — check a current Chandigarh panchang for the precise minute-level timing closer to the date.
Chandigarh: Sector 42 Lake
Chandigarh’s main Chhath ghat is Sector 42 Lake, not Sukhna Lake — a local samiti has organised Chhath Puja here since 2016, and the arrangements have grown every year: CCTV cameras, a 24×7 control room, dedicated lighting with power backup, a repaired and repainted approach bridge, and dedicated parking. Folk singers from eastern Uttar Pradesh typically perform through the evening as thousands gather for the Sandhya and Usha Arghya offerings.
Panchkula: Ghaggar River
Panchkula holds a state-level Chhath Puja Mahotsav at a dedicated Chhath Ghat on the banks of the Ghaggar river — the same river used for Ganesh Visarjan earlier in the year, at Sector 21. The district administration coordinates cleanliness, drinking water, lighting and security arrangements specifically for the festival.
Mohali & Zirakpur
Mohali district sees Chhath celebrations spread across Dera Bassi, Mubarikpur, Lalru, Balongi and Phase 9 — Dera Bassi specifically uses Ram Talai, the Ghaggar, and an artificial pond in Mubarikpur as ghats. In Zirakpur, celebrations are centred on pandals at the local mela ground.
Who Organises It
Chhath Puja across the tricity is organised chiefly by community samitis of the Bihar and eastern UP diaspora, working alongside the Municipal Corporation in Chandigarh and the district administration in Panchkula for ghat infrastructure, security and cleanliness on the two arghya evenings.
FAQ’s
When is Chhath Puja 2026?
13 to 16 November 2026 — Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya.
Where is Chhath Puja celebrated in Chandigarh?
The main ghat is Sector 42 Lake, organised by a local samiti since 2016, not Sukhna Lake.
Where is Chhath Puja celebrated in Panchkula?
At a dedicated Chhath Ghat on the banks of the Ghaggar river, as part of a state-level Chhath Puja Mahotsav.
Is Chhath Puja celebrated in Mohali and Zirakpur too?
Yes — Mohali district sees celebrations across Dera Bassi, Mubarikpur, Lalru, Balongi and Phase 9, while Zirakpur marks it at the local mela ground.
