A few days after Tihar, riverbanks and ponds across southern Nepal fill with devotees, many standing in the water, making offerings to the setting and rising sun. This is Chhath, one of the most beautiful festivals in the plains.
Quick answer: Chhath is a four-day festival dedicated to the sun god Surya and the goddess Chhathi Maiya, held in October or November, about six days after Tihar. It is celebrated mainly in the Terai, especially around Janakpur, and increasingly in Kathmandu.
The rituals
- Day 1: devotees bathe and eat a purifying meal.
- Day 2: a day-long fast, broken in the evening.
- Day 3: offerings (arghya) to the setting sun, standing in water.
- Day 4: offerings to the rising sun, followed by breaking the fast.
Where to see Chhath
- Janakpur and its many ponds.
- Rivers and ponds across the Terai.
- Ponds and river ghats in Kathmandu.
Etiquette
Chhath is deeply devotional. Watch quietly, keep out of the way of devotees, and ask before taking photos.
See our festivals guide.