Nahay Khay नहाय खाय
Friday, November 13, 2026
Devotees take a sacred bath and eat a single clean, vegetarian meal — the household and its vessels are purified, and the observance formally begins.
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छठ पूजा · Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Chhath Puja Worshipping the Sun God
Four days of fasting, purity and prayer on the water’s edge — November 13 – 16, 2026
Nahay Khay begins in
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About the festival
The oldest thanksgiving to the light
Chhath Puja is an ancient Vedic festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and to Chhathi Maiya — a thanksgiving for the light, harvest and health that sustain all life. Over four days, devotees known as Vratis observe rigorous fasting, purity and prayer, culminating in offerings made while standing waist-deep in water to the setting sun and again to the rising sun. It is one of the few festivals in the world that needs no priest, no idol and no temple — only the devotee, the water and the sun.
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Purity
Food, water and vessels are kept ritually clean from the first day to the last.
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Gratitude
Arghya is offered to the sun for health, harvest and the wellbeing of the family.
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Discipline
The Vrati keeps a waterless fast of roughly 36 hours, without exception.
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Community
Neighbours carry the daura, share the prasad and stand together at the ghat.
Chhath Puja 2026
The four-day festival calendar
Each day carries its own discipline. Times below follow the traditional observance; exact sunrise and sunset timings for the Triangle will be shared with registered families one week before the festival.
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Day 01 -
Day 02 Kharna खरना
Saturday, November 14, 2026
A strict, waterless fast is kept all day and broken only at sunset, after offerings of kheer and roti are made. From this evening the Vrati begins the long fast.
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Day 03 · Main day Sandhya Arghya संध्या अर्घ्य
Sunday, November 15, 2026
The main day of worship. Families carry the daura to the water and present prayers and offerings to the setting sun from the riverbank.
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Day 04 Usha Arghya उषा अर्घ्य
Monday, November 16, 2026
Final prayers are offered to the rising sun at first light. The 36-hour fast is broken afterwards, and prasad is shared with everyone present.
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Our devotees
List of Vrati families
The Vratis are the devotees who keep the fast on behalf of their households. Families and friends are warmly invited to visit them for Kharna Prasad, and to stand with them at the ghat for both Arghyas.
- 01Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 02Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 03Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 04Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 05Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 06Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 07Family Name(000) 000-0000
- 08Family Name(000) 000-0000
Observing the fast this year? Register as a Vrati family and we will add your name to this list.
Where to join us
Venue details
Day 2 · Saturday, Nov 14
Kharna
At the Vrati families’ homes
Kharna Prasad is served at each Vrati family’s residence after sunset. Please confirm your planned visit with the family at least two days in advance so they can prepare enough prasad.
See Vrati familiesDays 3 & 4 · Sunday & Monday
Sandhya & Usha Arghya
HSNC Temple
309 Aviation ParkwayMorrisville, NC 27560
Join our Vrati families at the water for the evening and sunrise offerings. Arrive early — the ghat fills quickly, and the Usha Arghya begins before first light.
Get directions →From our ghat
Chhath in the Triangle
Photographs from previous years — the walk to the water, the daura, the arghya, and the community that gathers before sunrise.
Swipe for more photographs →
Registration
Sign up to participate
Registration helps us plan seating, prasad, parking and the arrangements at the ghat. It takes under a minute, and it is free.
- Vrati families are added to the public list above
- You receive exact arghya timings one week before
- Volunteers are matched to a setup or cleanup shift
- We will only contact you about Chhath Puja
Registration received
Thank you — we have your details. You will hear from the organisers with exact arghya timings closer to the festival.
Support the festival
Free to attend, funded by all of us
Registration is free and always will be — nobody is turned away from the water. The festival itself does cost money to put on, and every dollar of it comes from families in our own community who choose to chip in.
Donate Now- Puja & ritualsPrasad, diyas and the arrangements at the water
- Event & communityPermits, lighting, tents, parking and cleanup
- Community supportA hand for families who need one to keep the vrat
Get in touch
Contact the organisers
Organiser
Organiser Name (000) 000-0000Organiser
Organiser Name (000) 000-0000