Chhath Puja 2026 begins with Nahay Khay on 15 November and ends with Usha Arghya on 18 November. It's one of the most disciplined festivals in the Indian calendar – four days of fasting, riverside rituals and sunrise-sunset prayers – and the outfits follow that same spirit: traditional, modest, in auspicious colours, and comfortable enough to stand in water for an hour.
Here's a day-by-day guide for both women and men, using pieces from our latest silk and kurta launches.
The Chhath Colour Code
- Yellow & Orange – the colours of Surya Dev; the most traditional choice for Arghya days
- Red & Maroon – worn by married women (vratis) offering the puja
- Pink, Green, Cream – for family members attending, not fasting
- Avoid – black, grey and anything with heavy sequins or sheer panels
Day 1 – Nahay Khay (15 Nov): Simple & Clean
The first day is about purification. Women wear a light cotton-silk or handloom saree in a soft colour; men wear a plain kurta with cotton pyjama.
For her: Cream Modal Cotton Pashmina Handloom Saree (₹3,000) – breathable, easy to drape, and the red-gold border keeps it festive.
For him: Men's Light Brown Rayon Kurta with White Cotton Pajama (₹4,500).
Day 2 – Kharna (16 Nov): Auspicious Red
Kharna evening is when vratis break the day-long fast with kheer and roti. Married women traditionally wear red or maroon.
For her: Maroon Silk Saree with Mustard Blouse & Cutdana Work (₹5,700). The mustard blouse is a nice nod to the sun-god colours.
For him: Men's Maroon Rayon Kurta Set (₹4,500) – matching the family in maroon looks lovely in Kharna photos.
Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya (17 Nov): Yellow for Surya Dev
This is the main evening – offering arghya to the setting sun at the ghat. Yellow, orange and gold are the traditional colours. Choose silk that won't get ruined if the hem touches water.
For her: Yellow Silk Saree with Heavy Traditional Zari Weaving (₹5,600) or the Mustard Silk Saree with Cutdana Work (₹5,700).
For him: Men's Yellow Rayon Kurta Set (₹4,500). Roll the pyjama up a little before stepping into the ghat.
Day 4 – Usha Arghya (18 Nov): Sunrise Orange
The final sunrise offering. It's cold at 5 AM in November, so layer a shawl over your saree and pick a kurta with full sleeves.
For her: Orange Silk Saree with Purple Blouse & Cutdana Work (₹5,350).
For him: Men's Red Rayon Kurta Set (₹4,500).
Practical Tips for Ghat Days
- Pin your pallu – riverside wind is no joke; use two safety pins at the shoulder.
- Go for silk or cotton-silk, not tissue or net. Water marks disappear from silk; net and sequins get damaged.
- Wear flat sandals you can slip off quickly at the ghat.
- Keep jewellery minimal – sindoor, bangles, a nose pin and mangalsutra are traditional; skip heavy necklaces.
- Carry a change of blouse if you're the vrati – the hem and blouse get wet during arghya.
Shop the full range of traditional silk sarees and men's kurta sets at VJV Now. Order by 8 November for guaranteed delivery before Nahay Khay.
