Chhath Puja 2026 in Ranchi: Dates, Arghya Timings, Bada Talab, Kanke Dam, Dhurwa Dam and Ghat Guide

Chhath Puja 2026 in Ranchi will be celebrated from Friday 13 to Monday 16 November, as thousands of devotees offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya at the city's talabs, dams and river ghats. From Bada Talab and Kanke Dam to Dhurwa Dam, the Swarnarekha ghats and neighbourhood ponds in Doranda, Kokar and Bariatu, Jharkhand's capital is preparing for one of its biggest festivals.

This year Sandhya Arghya falls on 15 November, Jharkhand Foundation Day and Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jayanti.

Chhath Puja 2026 in Ranchi: dates and timings

Times are local to Ranchi (Drik Panchang). The sun can disappear a few minutes earlier behind trees, buildings or hills at your ghat, so reach well before sunset and before dawn.

Ranchi Municipal Corporation's 2026 preparations

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 and clearing water hyacinth and silt, repairing approach roads, lighting at major ghats, barricades and warning signs at deep water, drinking water and changing facilities. The artificial ponds help families who cannot reach a big lake or dam and take pressure off the busiest ghats.

The final list of open ghats and their condition can change up to the last day, so check the corporation's and district administration's announcements before you go.

Ranchi's Chhath ghats and talabs

Bada Talab (Ranchi Lake)

The city's best-known lake and one of its biggest Chhath gatherings. Use only the sections opened for worship, follow barricades and arrive early for both arghyas; the banks get very crowded.

Kanke Dam

The reservoir in north Ranchi draws large crowds from Kanke and nearby areas. Stay within the designated worship area and keep children away from unprotected edges; the reservoir is deep.

Dhurwa (Hatia) Dam

The main Chhath destination for Dhurwa, Hatia and nearby localities. Use designated areas only and check the approach road and parking.

Hatania Talab

A popular pond ghat; the water deepens suddenly away from the bank, so stay behind the barricades.

Swarnarekha ghats, Namkum

The Swarnarekha riverfront serves Namkum and nearby areas. River depth and current can change, so offer arghya only in the marked safe area.

Neighbourhood ponds

• Button Talab, Doranda: for Doranda and Hinoo.
• Tiril Talab, Kokar: for Kokar and Booty More.
• RIMS Talab, Bariatu: for Bariatu and the RIMS area.
• Chadri Talab, near Line Tank Road.
• Edalhatu Talab.
• Tetar Toli Pond, Jail Talab and Argora Talab.

Getalsud Dam

The large reservoir outside the city is used by nearby villages. Treat it with particular caution: stay well back from the water and obey any barrier.

Approach roads and lighting vary from ghat to ghat. For the dawn Usha Arghya, choose well-lit routes, carry a torch, and help elderly devotees carrying soops over uneven paths.

Travel and traffic on Chhath days

• Choose a designated ghat close to home where possible.
• Check Ranchi Traffic Police announcements for diversions; 15 November also has Foundation Day programmes in the city.
• Do not park on narrow lanes or emergency routes.
• Leave extra time to walk from parking with baskets of prasad.
• Keep children and elders with you in the crowds.

15 November: Chhath and Jharkhand Foundation Day

Jharkhand was formed on 15 November 2000, on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. In 2026 that day is also Sandhya Arghya, so Ranchi will mark both the state's identity and one of its most cherished festivals on the same evening.

The four days of Chhath

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 at about 5:04 PM, with soops of thekua, bananas, coconuts, sugarcane and seasonal fruits.

Day 4: Usha Arghya and Parana, 16 November

Before sunrise (about 6:03 AM), devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun and end the fast with Parana.

Chhath prasad

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

Safety at Ranchi's ghats

• Visit only designated ghats and never cross barricades or danger markings.
• Avoid deep water at dams, talabs and the river.
• Keep children away from open edges.
• Wear footwear for wet, uneven ground and use lit routes.
• Keep emergency routes clear and follow police and municipal instructions.
• Do not throw plastic into the ponds; follow local rules on firecrackers.

Those keeping the strict fast should look after their health and seek medical advice if needed.

For the rest of the state, see our Chhath Puja 2026 in Jharkhand guide; for Bihar, see Chhath Puja 2026 in Bihar.

Jai Chhathi Maiya! Jai Surya Dev!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Ranchi?

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

What is the Sandhya Arghya time in Ranchi?

Sunset on Sunday 15 November, about 5:04 PM.

What is the Usha Arghya time in Ranchi?

Sunrise on Monday 16 November, about 6:03 AM.

Which are the main Chhath ghats in Ranchi?

Bada Talab, Kanke Dam, Dhurwa (Hatia) Dam, Hatania Talab, the Swarnarekha ghats in Namkum, and neighbourhood ponds such as Button Talab, Tiril Talab, RIMS Talab and Chadri Talab.

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. Check the final list before visiting.

Why is 15 November special in Ranchi this year?

It is Jharkhand Foundation Day and Bhagwan Birsa Munda Jayanti, and also Sandhya Arghya.