Celebrating Chhath Puja in Singapore? You Don’t Have to Miss Home!

Image: illustration supplied by the contributor. Depicts a festive scene, not a photograph of the event or its venue.

For many people from Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal—often collectively called the Purvanchal region—Chhath Puja is more than a festival. It is the smell of thekua being fried, the sight of bamboo baskets filled with sugarcane, fruits and offerings, and the quiet strength of families standing in water at sunrise and sunset to thank Surya, the Sun God.

Living in Singapore does not mean leaving that feeling behind. Chhath Puja is celebrated here with devotion, community spirit and a strong sense of home.

What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya Dev, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya. It is observed over four days and is considered one of the most environmentally conscious festivals, centred on gratitude for nature, water, sunlight and the life-giving forces around us.

Devotees observe strict fasting, prepare traditional offerings, and offer arghya—prayers with water—to the setting sun on one evening and the rising sun the following morning. The rituals symbolise thankfulness, discipline, purity and hope for the wellbeing of family and community.

Unlike many festivals, Chhath does not require idols or elaborate temple rituals. Its power lies in simplicity: clean water, natural offerings, devotion and family togetherness.

Who celebrates it?

Chhath Puja is especially significant for people from Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and the Terai region of Nepal. It is deeply rooted in the culture of the Purvanchal belt, where it is celebrated across villages, cities and riverbanks with extraordinary devotion.

In Singapore, the festival has found a home among the expatriate and local Indian community. Students, professionals, families and long-time residents from Bihar, Jharkhand and nearby regions come together to preserve the traditions they grew up with.

For many, it is also an opportunity to introduce children born or raised in Singapore to their roots—through food, songs, rituals and shared stories.

When is Chhath Puja in Singapore?

This year, Chhath Puja’s main evening ritual falls on Sunday, 15 November 2026, followed by the morning prayers on Monday, 16 November.

The four-day observance runs from 13 to 16 November:

• Friday, 13 November: Nahay Khay
• Saturday, 14 November: Kharna
• Sunday, 15 November: Sandhya Arghya — prayers to the setting sun
• Monday, 16 November: Usha Arghya — prayers to the rising sun

Where can you celebrate in Singapore?

The most established community celebration is organised by BiJhar Singapore, the association representing people from Bihar and Jharkhand.

For those unable to attend a community event, many families also celebrate at home or in their condominiums, using a clean tub or pool for the ritual.

A little more like home

For newcomers, it can be a bridge to friendships, practical advice about life in Singapore, and a support network that feels like family. For long-time residents, it is a chance to reconnect with their culture and pass it on to the next generation.

There is often traditional music, Bhojpuri folk songs, Chhath geet, and of course, the much-loved thekua—a crisp, sweet offering made from wheat flour, jaggery and ghee. Sharing these familiar tastes with fellow devotees can make Singapore feel a little more like home.

Chhath Puja teaches gratitude for the sun, water and nature—values that resonate anywhere in the world.

So if you are in Singapore and thought you would have to miss the essence of Chhath this year, you do not. Come, offer your prayers, sing the songs you grew up with, meet people from home, and let the Sun God’s blessings connect you to your roots—right here in Singapore.