Prime Minister Balendra Shah is preparing to visit Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhesh Province, to observe the Chhath festival this year. This has led to intensified preparations and beautification efforts at various ponds and ghats across the city.
Preparations are underway to make the Gangasagar Chhath Ghat more organised and adorned, according to Ambu Prasad Sah, former Vice President of the Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Following the conclusion of the Tihar festival, preparations for Chhath have gained momentum in districts across Madhesh Province. In Janakpurdham, the cleaning and decoration of ponds and lakes, including Gangasagar, Dhanushsagar, Ratnasagar, and Dashrath Talau, have begun.
The markets are also bustling with people purchasing essential items for Chhath Puja. Local resident Sumitra Devi Karna confirmed that shopping for Chhath necessities has already started. The demand for traditional bamboo items, such as chhitis, nanglos, and dhakis, has kept the Dom community, who have been producing these items for generations, busy.
The four-day Chhath festival begins on Friday, Kartik 27 (BS) (November 13, 2026), with the ‘Nahay Khay’ ritual. The main day for offering ‘Sandhya Arghya’ (evening offerings) is Sunday, Kartik 29 (BS) (November 15, 2026), which is a public holiday across Nepal. The festival concludes on Monday, Kartik 30 (BS) (November 16, 2026), with ‘Usha Arghya’ (morning offerings).
The exact date and time of Prime Minister Shah’s arrival in Janakpurdham, as well as his specific itinerary, have not yet been disclosed.
Background
- Chhath festival, a significant Hindu festival, begins immediately after Diwali.
- It is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, seeking life-giving energy, prosperity, and longevity for families.
- Devotees observe strict fasts, prepare traditional offerings, and offer 'arghya' to the setting and rising sun in rivers, ponds, and other reservoirs.
- The festival does not require priests or idols; devotees worship the sun directly.
What happens next
The main day for offering 'Sandhya Arghya' is Sunday, November 15, 2026 (Kartik 29, BS), and the festival will conclude on Monday, November 16, 2026 (Kartik 30, BS), with 'Usha Arghya' and 'parana'.
