Chhath Puja 2026 in Melbourne: Dates, Arghya Times and What to Wear

By Abhishek Arora · Style World, Aintree · Updated 31 Oct 2026 · 2 min read

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival dedicated to Surya, the sun god, and Chhathi Maiya. It is especially important for families from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and is celebrated with deep devotion by the community in Melbourne.

Chhath Puja 2026 dates

• Day 1 – Nahay Khay: Friday 13 November 2026. A holy bath and a simple meal of lauki (bottle gourd), chana dal and rice.
• Day 2 – Kharna: Saturday 14 November. A day-long fast, broken in the evening with kheer and roti.
• Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya: Sunday 15 November. The main day – offerings to the setting sun. In Melbourne, sunset is around 8pm.
• Day 4 – Usha Arghya: Monday 16 November. Offerings to the rising sun (around 6am in Melbourne), then the fast is broken.

Dates follow the Hindu calendar; check with your family or temple for exact local timings.

Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?

Devotees thank the sun for life and energy and pray for the health and happiness of their families, especially children. The fast is one of the strictest in the Hindu calendar – often without water for about 36 hours – and the offerings of thekua, fruit and sugarcane are made standing in water at sunset and sunrise.

How Chhath is celebrated in Melbourne

Families gather at lakes, beaches and riverbanks for the evening and morning arghya, and some community groups organise shared ghats. Ask at your local temple or community group about gatherings near you.

What to wear for Chhath Puja

• Women: yellow, orange or red – colours linked to the sun. A cotton or light silk saree is traditional; choose something you’re comfortable standing in water in. See our sarees – Diwali offer 1 for $90 or 2 for $130 – including easy ready-to-wear sarees.
• Men: a simple kurta pajama or dhoti-kurta in white, cream or yellow. Our cream mul cotton and yellow silk sets work well.
• Kids: comfortable cotton – a boys’ cotton kurta pajama or a girls’ sharara set.

Bring a shawl for the early morning arghya – Melbourne mornings in November can be cool by the water.

Quick answers

When is Chhath Puja 2026?

From Friday 13 to Monday 16 November 2026. The main evening offering, Sandhya Arghya, is on Sunday 15 November, and Usha Arghya is at sunrise on Monday 16 November.

What colour should I wear for Chhath Puja?

Yellow, orange or red – colours associated with the sun. Women traditionally wear a yellow or orange saree.

Where can I buy a saree for Chhath in Melbourne?

Style World, 251 Frontier Ave, Aintree – sarees from $70, with free pick-up or delivery anywhere in Australia (WhatsApp us your address for the cost). WhatsApp 0450 649 304.