Hyderabad gears up for Chhath Puja from November 13-16, 2026

Devotees offering prayers to the Sun god in Hyderabad on November 07, 2024, on the occasion of Chhath Puja festival | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

While Deepavali marks the culmination of the festive celebrations for many communities across India, people from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal are preparing for another important festival — Chhath Puja. This year, large numbers of devotees are expected to gather at lakes, ponds and other water bodies across Hyderabad to offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun.

Ahead of the celebrations, the Telangana government has directed civic bodies and disaster management authorities to facilitate Chhath Puja at 28 locations across the city and make necessary arrangements, including sanitation, lighting, drinking water and crowd management. In a recent memo, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) department has forwarded the association’s representation to the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and the three municipal corporations asking them to take necessary action in coordination with the departments concerned.

What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. The Sun is worshipped as the source of life, energy and sustenance. Devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun, seeking good health, prosperity, happiness and the well-being of their families.

Devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun during Chhath Puja festival. File | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

When is it celebrated?