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Today is the second day of Chhath Puja, the most sacred and difficult four-day festival of folk faith, which is traditionally called Kharna or Lohanda. In this great ritual that started with Nahay-Khay, today on Saturday, 14 November 2026, on the Panchami Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, the devotees will observe waterless fast throughout the day and in the evening, after doing special worship of Chhathi Maiya, they will prepare pure Satvik Mahaprasad. According to religious beliefs, Kharna literally means ‘purification’—that is, to completely purify both body and mind and take a pledge to observe a rigorous waterless fast for the next 36 hours. This evening, immediately after receiving the Mahaprasad, the rigorous penance of the fasting people will begin without water and food, which will end only after offering Arghya to the rising Sun on Saptami Tithi.
According to the calculations of the Vedic calendar, today Kartik Shukla Panchami Tithi will exist till 11:23 pm, and sunset will occur at 05:28 pm (approximately between 05:15 to 05:30 pm as per Lucknow and North India Standard Time). According to the scriptures, it is always considered best to worship Kharna after sunset, during twilight and Pradosh period.
| Ritual Details (Kharna Ritual Parameter) | Today’s auspicious time (Saturday, November 14, 2026) | religious significance |
|---|---|---|
| Kharna Tithi (Kartik Shukla Panchami) | Whole day (Panchami Tithi till 11:23 pm) | Day of purification of body and mind and invocation of Chhathi Maiya. |
| Sunset Time | Between 05:15 to 05:28 pm (city wise) | The worship and offering of Kharna starts only after sunset. |
| Best time for Kharna Puja | 05:30 pm to 08:15 pm | Time to offer jaggery kheer (rasiya) and roti on Chhathi Maiya. |
| Beginning of 36 hour waterless fast | Immediately after taking Mahaprasad of Kharna | Now on 16th November, water and food eclipse will take place only after Usha Arghya. |
On the day of Kharna, utmost cleanliness and purity is taken care of, from making Prasad to performing puja. Its major steps are given below:
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Evening bath and use of new earthen stove: The devotees keep fast since morning without drinking water. In the evening, after sunset, one takes bath again and wears clean clothes. Traditionally a new earthen stove (ring) and mango wood flame are used to make the prasad.
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Preparation of Jaggery Kheer (Rasiya) and Roti: Kheer is made from Sathi rice, cow’s milk and pure jaggery (use of sugar is prohibited) in a pure bronze or brass vessel, which is called ‘Rasiya’ in Bihar and Purvanchal. Along with this, ghee soaked rotis of pure wheat flour and seasonal fruits (like banana, radish, ginger) are prepared.
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Offering food to Chhathi Maiya: By spreading banana leaves in the puja house or a clean place, placing jaggery kheer, ghee roti, banana and water on them and meditating on Chhathi Maiya and Lord Surya. By lighting incense sticks, wishes are made for the happiness, prosperity of the family and the longevity of the children.
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Taking Mahaprasad in solitude: After the completion of the puja, first of all the devotee himself sits in a secluded and quiet place and takes this Mahaprasad. It is believed that there should not be any noise or sound of any kind in the house while the fasting person is taking the Prasad, because if any sound reaches the ears of the fasting person then he immediately stops eating. Only after the fasting person has finished eating, this sacred prasad is distributed among other family members, relatives and neighbours.
Even a small mistake is considered inauspicious during the festival of Chhath, hence on the day of Kharna, entry of salt, garlic, onion and any kind of tamasic food into the house is completely prohibited. Only rock salt or sweet dishes without salt are used in making Prasad. After taking the Prasad of Kharna, the devotee should sleep on a mat on the ground or on a pure bed and should prepare for the evening Arghya of the next day by remembering only the songs and mantras of Chhathi Maiya in his mind.