Updated November 10, 2026. Written by the Indidha team.
Most women wear a clean, simple saree in red, yellow, orange or green for Chhath Puja, which runs from Friday, November 13 to Monday, November 16, 2026. Cotton or a soft cotton blend works best, because you stand in cool water and wait through long hours. Customs vary by region and family.
Chhath is a four-day vrat, and what you wear changes a little with each day. Some of that is practical and some of it is custom, and where a custom differs between households we say so below. If your family follows a specific rule, that rule wins over anything in a styling guide.
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 starts on Friday, November 13 and ends on Monday, November 16. The evening offering to the setting sun (Sandhya Arghya) falls on Sunday, November 15, and the morning offering to the rising sun (Usha Arghya) on Monday, November 16. Exact sunset and sunrise times depend on your city, so check your local panchang before you plan the ghat visit.
What should you wear on each day of Chhath?
The table gives a simple outfit note for each day. Treat it as a starting point and adjust to your family's practice.
| Day and date | Observance | Outfit note |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1, Friday, November 13 | Nahay Khay | A fresh, washed cotton saree you can move around in. This is a day of bathing, cleaning the house and cooking, so comfort matters most. |
| Day 2, Saturday, November 14 | Kharna | Soft cotton again, in a plain colour. Many women fast through this day until the evening prasad, so avoid heavy borders and anything that needs constant adjusting. |
| Day 3, Sunday, November 15 | Sandhya Arghya | Your main saree of the festival, usually in red, orange or yellow. Pick a fabric that copes with damp hems and cool water, and carry a dry layer for after. |
| Day 4, Monday, November 16 | Usha Arghya | A morning at the ghat before sunrise is cold. Wear a second saree if you want a change, and keep a shawl in the bag for the wait. |
Which colours do women wear for Chhath?
Red, yellow, orange and green are the colours most often named as favourable for the puja. Red is closely tied to married women, orange echoes the sun, and yellow is a common colour for worship in general. Green is usually read as a sign of prosperity.
Some sources also say black, blue and grey are best left out of the vrat, because they are seen as heavy or inauspicious. This is a common view and not a universal rule, so ask the elder who guides the vrat in your family before you decide. If you would rather not think about it, a plain orange or red is the safe choice at almost every ghat.
Which fabric is best for a Chhath saree?
You will spend hours standing, walking to the water and waiting, often in cool air. That points to breathable, lightweight fabrics that you can wade in without fuss. Cotton is the obvious answer, and it is also what most families reach for.
A stiff silk with a heavy zari border is harder to manage in water and takes much longer to dry. If you want something dressier for Sandhya Arghya, a cotton-silk or a handloom cotton with a simple border gives you some occasion without the weight.
Mul cotton is the lightest of the cotton weaves, which suits the long standing hours. The Cadmium Orange Mul Cotton saree is a good fit if you want the sunrise colour in something you can wear all day. Slub cotton has a little more body and texture, and the Raw Carmine Slub Cotton saree is the one to look at if you prefer a red with some structure.
How do you keep a saree comfortable at the ghat?
Most of the comfort comes from how you pin and carry things, not from the saree itself. A few small decisions help a lot:
- Wear the saree a little shorter than usual so the hem stays clear of wet steps.
- Use extra safety pins at the shoulder and waist, because wet fabric pulls.
- Choose a plain blouse with proper sleeves. Cold mornings and wind make a sleeveless blouse a poor choice.
- Carry a dry saree or a towel in a bag for after the offering.
- Skip heavy jewellery, which snags and gets cold against the skin.
Footwear is its own question. Most ghats ask you to take your shoes off, so you will be barefoot on cold stone for a while. Warm socks for the walk there are worth packing.
Is there a rule about stitched or new clothes?
Practice differs from family to family. Many households prefer clothes that are freshly washed or new for the vrat, and some have their own rules about stitched clothing for the person observing it. We could not find a single rule that applies everywhere, so the honest answer is to ask the elders in your family.
Where to look for cotton sarees for the festival
If you are still choosing, the cotton sarees collection and the mul cotton sarees are the places to start. Order early enough to wash and wear the saree once before the festival, which also softens the fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What colour saree should I wear for Chhath Puja?
Red, orange, yellow and green are the colours most commonly worn for Chhath. Red and orange are the most widely chosen for the evening and morning arghya.
Can I wear a silk saree for Chhath?
Yes, if your family does. A lighter cotton-silk or a handloom silk with a simple border is easier to manage than a heavy zari saree, especially when you stand near water.
Is it true that black should be avoided during Chhath?
Many families avoid black, blue and grey during the vrat, though the rule is not the same everywhere. Ask an elder in your family if you are unsure.
What should I carry to the ghat besides the saree?
A dry change of clothes or a towel, extra safety pins, a shawl for the cold morning and warm socks for the walk. Most people also bring a small bag so their hands stay free.
