Chhath Puja 2026 in Jharkhand: Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Deoghar and District-Wise Celebrations

Chhath Puja 2026 in Jharkhand will be celebrated from Friday 13 to Monday 16 November, as devotees across the state worship Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. From Ranchi's talabs and dams to the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers in Jamshedpur, the Damodar region around Dhanbad and the old ponds of Deoghar, Chhath Mahaparv is one of Jharkhand's most important festivals, a tradition it shares with Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

This year Sandhya Arghya falls on 15 November, Jharkhand Foundation Day, which also marks the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Chhath Puja 2026 in Jharkhand: dates

Arghya times in Jharkhand cities

Ranchi and Jamshedpur are from Drik Panchang; the others are HinduTone's calculation, rounded. Trees, buildings and hills at your ghat can hide the sun a few minutes earlier. For more cities, see our Chhath Puja 2026 arghya time city-wise guide.

Ranchi: talabs, dams and river ghats

Ranchi's Chhath is kept at its ponds, dams and rivers. Well-known places include Bada Talab (Ranchi Lake), Kanke Dam, Dhurwa (Hatia) Dam and Hatania Talab, along with neighbourhood ponds such as Tetar Toli Pond, Jail Talab, Chadri Talab and Argora Talab and ghats on the Swarnarekha and Jumar rivers.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation has identified 74 Chhath ghats and more than 50 artificial ponds for 2026, with the city divided into eight zones for monitoring, according to a 9 November report. Work includes cleaning ponds, clearing water hyacinth and silt, repairing approach roads, lighting, barricading deep water, drinking water and changing facilities. Sandhya Arghya in Ranchi is at about 5:04 PM on 15 November. Approved locations can change with water levels and safety checks, so follow the corporation's final list.

For every Ranchi ghat, timings and travel tips, see our Chhath Puja 2026 in Ranchi guide.

Jamshedpur: the Subarnarekha and Kharkai

Jamshedpur's diverse, industrial population includes many families from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and its Chhath is centred on the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.

• Domuhani Ghat, Sonari: near the confluence of the two rivers, one of the city's best-known Chhath ghats.
• Sakchi, Mango and Bhuiyandih ghats and the Sonari riverfront.
• Surya Mandir, Sidhgora: a sun temple whose reservoirs give devotees an organised alternative to the riverbank.

Follow local instructions on which stretches are open, and do not enter unsafe water. Sandhya Arghya is at about 5:01 PM.

Dhanbad: the Damodar region

In Dhanbad, devotees gather at designated ghats in the Damodar region and at municipal and neighbourhood ponds across the city, Jharia and nearby areas. Confirm which locations are open in 2026 with the municipal administration. Sandhya Arghya is at about 4:58 PM.

Bokaro: lakes and sector ponds

Bokaro Steel City's families, many of whom moved here for work from Bihar and elsewhere, keep Chhath at City Park Lake, the Garga Dam area, sector-wise community ponds and water bodies in Chas. Check access and permissions before visiting any reservoir or lake. The wider district, including Chandrapura and Bermo, keeps the festival in its townships and villages.

Deoghar: traditional ponds

Best known for Baba Baidyanath Dham, Deoghar also keeps a lively Chhath at its old ponds. On 7 November, Mayor Ravi Kumar Raut inspected Chhattisai Pond (Ward 24), Mahadevatari Pond (Ward 28) and Kunda Pond (Ward 36), reviewing cleaning, water levels, barricading, approach roads and lighting with the local puja committees. Sandhya Arghya is at about 4:56 PM.

Hazaribagh, Giridih and other districts

Families in Hazaribagh, Giridih, Ramgarh, Koderma, Chatra, Palamu, Garhwa, Dumka, Godda, Sahibganj, Jamtara, the Singhbhums, Seraikela-Kharsawan (including Adityapur), Gumla, Lohardaga, Khunti and Simdega keep Chhath at home, at neighbourhood ponds, at rivers and at community ghats. Organised public programmes vary by district, so check local arrangements.

15 November: Chhath and Jharkhand Foundation Day

Jharkhand was formed on 15 November 2000, on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the tribal freedom fighter and symbol of the state's identity. In 2026 the state's foundation day falls on Sandhya Arghya, so the evening of devotion to the setting Sun coincides with the celebration of Jharkhand's history and tribal heritage. Expect state programmes and heavier traffic in Ranchi on the day.

The four days of Chhath Puja

Day 1: Nahay Khay, 13 November

A ritual bath, a cleaned home and a sattvic meal of rice, chana dal and lauki.

Day 2: Kharna, 14 November

A day-long fast broken after sunset with jaggery kheer and roti; the nirjala fast begins.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya, 15 November

Devotees offer arghya to the setting Sun with soops of thekua, fruits, sugarcane and coconuts, amid Chhath songs.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana, 16 November

Before sunrise, devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun and end the fast with Parana.

Chhath prasad in Jharkhand

Thekua, kasar, jaggery kheer, roti, bananas, coconuts, sugarcane, seasonal fruits, ginger and turmeric plants are arranged in bamboo soops. See our thekua and Chhath prasad recipes.

Why Chhath matters in Jharkhand

Chhath is one of the clearest expressions of the heritage Jharkhand shares with Bihar. It honours the Sun and water, brings families together to prepare the offerings, passes the songs and rituals to children, and draws neighbours from every community into cleaning drives and ghat preparations.

Safety tips

• Visit only approved ghats and follow barricades and warning signs.
• Avoid deep water and unsafe banks at dams and rivers.
• Keep children close.
• Follow police and municipal instructions and use designated parking.
• Follow local rules on firecrackers.
• Leave the ghat clean.

Those keeping the strict fast should take care of their health and seek medical advice if needed.

For Bihar, see our Chhath Puja 2026 in Bihar guide; for the full festival, see Chhath Puja 2026.

Jai Chhathi Maiya! Jai Surya Dev!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Jharkhand?

13 to 16 November 2026: Nahay Khay on 13, Kharna on 14, Sandhya Arghya on 15 and Usha Arghya on 16 November.

What time is Sandhya Arghya in Ranchi?

At sunset on Sunday 15 November, about 5:04 PM. Usha Arghya on 16 November is at about 6:03 AM.

How many Chhath ghats are there in Ranchi in 2026?

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation has identified 74 ghats and more than 50 artificial ponds, according to a 9 November report.

Where is Chhath celebrated in Jamshedpur?

At Domuhani Ghat in Sonari near the Subarnarekha–Kharkai confluence, at Sakchi, Mango and Bhuiyandih ghats, and at Surya Mandir, Sidhgora.

Which Deoghar ponds were prepared for Chhath 2026?

Chhattisai, Mahadevatari and Kunda ponds, inspected by the mayor on 7 November.

Why is 15 November special in Jharkhand?

It is Jharkhand Foundation Day and Bhagwan Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, and in 2026 it is also Sandhya Arghya.