Chhath Mahaparva Begins Tomorrow With Nahay-Khay – If you think that Chhath is just a festival of offering Arghya to the Sun God, then let us tell you that this festival starts with cleanliness and discipline. This four-day-long festival starts with Nahay-Khay, in which the devotees take a bath, completely clean the house, courtyard and kitchen, and then prepare satvik food and offer it to the Sun God.

When is bathing?

According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Mahaparva starts on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month. Nahay-Khay in 2026 is on Friday, November 13. After this, the festival will conclude with Kharna on 14th November, Sandhya Arghya on 15th November and Usha Arghya on 16th November.

Keep in mind: After eating Prasad at night on the day of Kharna, the devotees start Nirjala fast for about 36 hours, which ends only after Usha Arghya.

Nahay-Khay method: understand in simple language

Get up early in the morning. If possible, take a bath in a river or pond; Otherwise, take a bath at home. After this, clean the house, courtyard and kitchen thoroughly. Use clean utensils and stove to prepare food. In many homes, food is cooked by burning mango wood on an earthen stove, but this is not necessary in every family—the tradition may vary.

After bathing and cleaning, the devotees take vows and prepare satvik food. After the food is prepared, it is offered to the Sun God; then the devotees consume the prasad, and later other members of the family also consume it.

What is made in Nahay-Khay?

The most special food of Nahay-Khay is Pumpkin-Bhat or Lauki-Bhat. Mainly three things are made in it:

Pumpkin or bottle gourd curry: With ghee, rock salt and light spices, without onion or garlic.

Gram dal: Cooked in a satvik manner.

Arwa Rice Bhaat: Made from unboiled rice.

An important thing

Following the purity of eating habits at home starts right from Nahay-Khay. Vratis usually eat sattvic food once a day. But some rules of food and worship may differ according to family and region—so give priority to the traditions of your home.

If you think that Chhath is just a festival of offering Arghya to the Sun God, then let us tell you that this festival starts with cleanliness and discipline. This four-day-long festival starts with Nahay-Khay, in which the devotees take a bath, completely clean the house, courtyard and kitchen, and then prepare satvik food and offer it to the Sun God.

When is bathing?

According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Mahaparva starts on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month. Nahay-Khay in 2026 is on Friday, November 13. After this, the festival will conclude with Kharna on 14th November, Sandhya Arghya on 15th November and Usha Arghya on 16th November.

Keep in mind: After eating Prasad at night on the day of Kharna, the devotees start a Nirjala fast for about 36 hours, which ends only after Usha Arghya.

Nahay-Khay method: understand in simple language

Get up early in the morning. If possible, take a bath in a river or pond; Otherwise, take a bath at home. After this, clean the house, courtyard and kitchen thoroughly. Use clean utensils and stove to prepare food. In many homes, food is cooked by burning mango wood on an earthen stove, but this is not necessary in every family—the tradition may vary.

After bathing and cleaning, the devotees take vows and prepare satvik food. After the food is prepared, it is offered to the Sun God; then the devotees consume the prasad, and later other members of the family also consume it.

What is made in Nahay-Khay?

The most special food of Nahay-Khay is Pumpkin-Bhat or Lauki-Bhat. Mainly three things are made in it:

Pumpkin or bottle gourd curry: With ghee, rock salt and light spices, without onion or garlic.

Gram dal: Cooked in a satvik manner.

Arwa Rice Bhaat: Made from unboiled rice.

An important thing

Following the purity of eating habits at home starts with Nahay-Khay. Vratis usually eat sattvic food once a day. But some rules of food and worship may differ according to family and region—so give priority to the traditions of your home.