Preparations for Chhath Puja 2026 are in full swing across Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Gujarat, with district administrations, elected representatives and civic bodies conducting on-ground inspections of riverbanks, ponds and designated ghats ahead of the four-day festival beginning Friday, 13 November. Thousands of devotees are expected to gather at water bodies nationwide to offer prayers to Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya through Monday, 16 November.

Scale of Preparations

The festival — one of the most logistically demanding in the Hindu calendar — requires simultaneous coordination across hundreds of ghats, many located along riverbanks that are difficult to fully secure. Authorities are focusing on cleanliness, sanitation, barricading, crowd management and essential facilities for devotees. In Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, inspections are under way at more than 300 Chhath ghats, with safety arrangements being put in place. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, two ghats in the Indira Bridge area are being readied for 15 and 16 November, with organisers anticipating a crowd of approximately 20,000 to 22,000 people, prompting plans for special security and traffic management.

Officials on the Ground in UP and Bihar

In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, District Magistrate Anupam Shukla inspected several Ganga ghats — including Dadri Ghat, Nawapura Ghat, Sikandarpur Ghat and Nepali Baba Ghat — to assess cleanliness, security and overall arrangements. Shukla noted that the Ganga's coastline in the district stretches for approximately 95 kilometres, making it impossible to barricade every ghat. He urged devotees visiting smaller, less-frequented locations to remain vigilant and avoid deeper waters, stating that personal responsibility for safety was essential alongside official measures.

In Jamui, Bihar, Minister Shreyasi Singh inspected Chhath ghats and stressed the need for adequate changing rooms and sanitation facilities, particularly for women and families. In Buxar, Bihar, District Magistrate Sahila reviewed preparations at the railway station, bus stand and selected ghats, alongside arrangements undertaken by the Municipal Council.

Delhi's Major Ghats Draw Political Attention

In Delhi, West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, accompanied by Dwarka MLA Pardyuman Rajput and senior administrative officials including the District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner, inspected the mega Chhath Ghat in the Dabri area. Sehrawat described it as one of the major Chhath venues in the constituency, drawing devotees from Sitapuri in Janakpuri Assembly constituency, Mahavir Enclave in Palam Assembly constituency, and Dabri and surrounding areas of Dwarka. She said the Delhi government was paying special attention to ensuring adequate arrangements at the site.

Jharkhand Cleans Up After Kali Puja

In Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purnima Das Sahu inspected Pandey Ghat, Bara Ghat, Jhrna Ghat and Kalyan Nagar Bhuiyadih Ghat, with visits to additional artificial ghats planned. Sahu explained that the cleaning drive follows post-Kali Puja immersion activities, which leave worship materials and waste at water bodies, requiring a fresh round of preparation before Chhath devotees arrive. The process underscores the compressed timeline between the two major festivals this year.

What Devotees Should Know

Chhath Puja involves rigorous rituals, including extended fasting and the offering of arghya to the setting and rising Sun while standing in water — conditions that heighten safety risks at crowded or poorly maintained ghats. Authorities across all states are urging devotees to follow safety instructions, avoid overcrowded or deep-water stretches and cooperate with officials on the ground. As the final days of preparation unfold, administrations are expected to intensify cleaning operations and strengthen security deployment at all major ghats before the festival begins.