Chhath Puja 2026 in Varanasi and Lucknow: Dates, Ghats and Cab Guide
Chhath Puja 2026 is expected from about Friday, 13 November to Monday, 16 November, with the evening arghya on Sunday, 15 November and the sunrise arghya on Monday, 16 November. For families from Bihar and Purvanchal living in Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj and beyond, these four days are the most important of the year.
The rituals happen at the river at sunset and before sunrise, the ghats are packed, and the roads close around them. Getting the whole family, the soop, the daura and the puja items to the ghat on time, before dawn, is the hardest part. This guide covers the 2026 dates, the main ghats in Varanasi and Lucknow, and how to plan your cab for the early-morning arghya.
Chhath Puja 2026 dates
Chhath follows the lunar calendar and sources differ by a day. Confirm with your family priest or the local panchang.
What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. It is one of the oldest and strictest festivals in India, celebrated mainly by families from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and by their communities wherever they live. There are no idols and no priests needed: the vrati (usually the mother of the family) fasts, offers arghya to the setting and the rising sun while standing in water, and prays for the health and happiness of the family.
The offerings are prepared at home with great care: thekua, rice laddoos, sugarcane, coconut, bananas and seasonal fruit, carried to the ghat in bamboo baskets (daura and soop). The songs, the lamps on the water and the whole community at the ghat make it one of the most moving festivals to see.
The two big moments: sunset and sunrise
On the third day the vratis stand in the water at sunset to offer arghya to the setting sun. On the fourth day they return before dawn for the arghya to the rising sun, after which the 36-hour fast is broken. Both times the whole family goes to the ghat, often with heavy baskets of fruit, thekua and puja items. On the fourth day that means leaving home at 3:30 or 4 am.
Chhath ghats in Varanasi
- Assi Ghat and the ghats around it draw large crowds; reach early.
- Dashashwamedh and the central ghats are the most crowded and closest to the old city lanes.
- Rajghat and the northern ghats are often a little easier to reach by car.
- Many families also use local ponds and kunds in their own colony, which are much less crowded.
Roads to the main ghats are closed to vehicles during the arghya times, so your cab drops you at the nearest open point. Book a cab in Varanasi for both days, and tell the driver the ghat when you book.
Chhath ghats in Lucknow
- Laxman Mela Ghat on the Gomti is the biggest Chhath venue in Lucknow, with official arrangements every year.
- Jhulelal Ghat and other Gomti ghats are also used by large numbers of families.
- Several colonies arrange their own artificial ponds, which are easier with elders and children.
Book a cab in Lucknow for the evening and early-morning trips.
How to plan your cab for Chhath
- Book both trips together: the evening of Day 3 and the early morning of Day 4. Cars for 3:30 to 5 am on Day 4 are the hardest to find on the spot.
- Choose a bigger car. With the daura, soop, sugarcane and the whole family, an Innova in Lucknow or an Innova in Varanasi is far more comfortable than a sedan.
- Agree the drop and pickup point before you reach the ghat; phone networks are slow in the crowd.
- Keep the driver waiting instead of looking for a new cab after the arghya, when everyone leaves at the same time.
- Leave early on Day 4: the best spots at the water are taken well before sunrise.
Travelling home for Chhath
Many families travel to their home town for Chhath. If you are driving between cities in the region, book ahead. Approximate road distances:
For other routes, see outstation cabs from Varanasi and outstation cabs from Lucknow. Flying in? Book a Lucknow airport taxi or a Varanasi airport taxi in advance.
What to carry to the ghat
- The daura and soop with the offerings, packed the night before.
- A dry change of clothes for the vrati, and a towel.
- A mat or sheet to sit on the steps.
- A shawl for the pre-dawn trip; mid-November mornings are cold near the river.
- Diyas, a matchbox and a lighter in a dry pouch.
- Water and a small first-aid pouch.
Ask your driver to keep the boot clear for the baskets, and keep the fragile items on the seat with you.
Safety at the ghats
- Keep children close and away from the water’s edge; the steps are wet and crowded.
- Follow the barricades and the instructions of the police and volunteers.
- Keep valuables in a small bag in front of you.
- Carry a torch for the pre-dawn walk to the ghat.
- Elders should sit at the upper steps and come down only for the arghya.
Book your Chhath cab early
Chhath comes just a week after Diwali, so cars are already busy. Book at least a week ahead. For a large family group, a tempo traveller in Lucknow or a tempo traveller in Varanasi keeps everyone together. Staying in Varanasi until Kartik Purnima? Read our Dev Deepawali 2026 guide.
Book: call +91 9702747577 or WhatsApp +91 9702545454.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 is expected from about 13 to 16 November, with the evening arghya on 15 November and the sunrise arghya on 16 November. Confirm with your local panchang.
Which is the main Chhath ghat in Lucknow?
Laxman Mela Ghat on the Gomti is the main Chhath venue in Lucknow, along with Jhulelal Ghat and other Gomti ghats.
Can I book a cab for the early-morning arghya?
Yes. Book it together with the evening trip, at least a week ahead, because early-morning cars on the last day are hard to find on the spot.
Can the cab reach the ghat?
Roads near the main ghats are closed to vehicles at arghya time. The driver drops you at the nearest open point and waits to pick you up.
Which car is best for Chhath with all the puja items?
An Innova or Ertiga, because the daura, soop and sugarcane take a lot of space along with the family.
How far is Varanasi from Lucknow?
About 300 km, around 5 to 6 hours by car.
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