Chhath Puja 2026 in Ashburn: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

TL;DR

• 🗓 Chhath Puja 2026 is November 15 — Sandhya Arghya on November 14 evening, Usha Arghya at dawn November 15
• 🛕 Radha Govind Dham and Durga Temple are the anchor Indian community worship spaces in Ashburn
• 🎭 Diwali Mela 2026 on October 10 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, MD is the season's biggest public gathering
• 🌅 Vedic Temple of Virginia in Sterling and ISKCON of DC round out the area's major temple options
• 📣 Community ghat gatherings for Chhath arghya are announced through temple networks — connect in October

Chhath Puja in Ashburn: A Growing Tradition

For the South Asian community in Ashburn and the broader Northern Virginia corridor, Chhath Puja has become one of the autumn season's most anticipated and visible celebrations. It arrives at the end of a packed festival calendar — after Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali — and carries a particular weight for families with roots in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Chhath Puja 2026 is on November 15. The Sandhya Arghya, the evening sun offering, falls on November 14, and the Usha Arghya — the pre-dawn offering that concludes the vrat — is on November 15. The full four-day observance begins with Nahay Khay (the ritual bath and purifying meal), then Kharna (the strict day of fasting broken only at sunset), then the two arghya days at a water body. In Northern Virginia, community groups typically organize ghat-style setups at local parks and lakefronts — announcements go out through temple networks two to three weeks before the festival.

Community Events Through the Season

The autumn festival season in Ashburn is anchored by a strong calendar of community events, several of them organized through Rajdhani Mandir's active programming.

The Grand Ganapati Dhol Tasha Pathak on September 25 opens the season with one of the community's most festive public events. The Sadabahaar Senior Group Meeting follows on October 4. Then comes the season's biggest public gathering: Diwali Mela 2026 on October 10 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, MD. This is one of the DMV's largest South Asian community celebrations, drawing families from across Northern Virginia and Maryland with cultural performances, food, and festivities.

Sharad Navratre Mata Jagrans begins on October 11 as Navratri opens. The Durga Ashtami Chandi Havan/Homam on October 18 marks the Navratri high point before Dussehra on October 20. Then the season moves steadily toward Diwali 2026 on November 8 and, finally, Chhath Puja 2026 on November 15.

Temples and Worship Spaces in the Ashburn Area

Radha Govind Dham at 20937 Ashburn Road is one of the community's most accessible and central worship spaces. Phone: +1 571-306-1581. The temple serves the Vaishnava tradition and is active year-round for individual puja, communal events, and festival season programming. For Chhath-season community announcements, this is a primary point of contact.

Durga Temple at 8400 Durga Place is a well-established institution with a dedicated following, particularly active during Navratri, Durga Ashtami, and the October festival cluster. The temple has been serving the Northern Virginia South Asian community for decades and is one of the region's most recognized religious centers.

Vedic Temple of Virginia at 21580 Atlantic Blvd in Sterling, VA 20166 — just minutes from Ashburn — observes a full Hindu festival calendar. Phone: +1-703-723-0033. The temple's Sterling location makes it a natural stop for Ashburn-area residents seeking a larger venue for major festival observances.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness of DC at 10310 Oaklyn Drive brings the ISKCON tradition to the region with programming that spans the autumn festival season. Phone: (301) 299-2100. The temple is active for Janmashtami, Diwali, and Annakut, and its community reach extends across the DMV.

Insider Tip: Chhath arghya gatherings in Northern Virginia are typically organized through temple WhatsApp groups and South Asian community Facebook pages rather than on official temple websites. Connect with Radha Govind Dham or Durga Temple in early October to get on their mailing lists before the November ghat gathering details are finalized. Volunteer slots for setup and crowd management at ghat events fill faster than most people expect.

The Full Festival Calendar for Ashburn, 2026

The autumn festival season for the Ashburn community runs as follows:

• Sep 25: Grand Ganapati Dhol Tasha Pathak
• Sep 26: Purnima
• Oct 4: Sadabahaar Senior Group Meeting
• Oct 6: Ekadashi
• Oct 8: Pradosh Vrat
• Oct 10: Amavasya / Diwali Mela 2026 (Eleanor Roosevelt High School, MD)
• Oct 11: Navratri 2026 / Sharad Navratre Mata Jagrans
• Oct 18: Durga Ashtami 2026 / Durga Ashtami Chandi Havan/Homam
• Oct 20: Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026
• Oct 21: Ekadashi
• Oct 23: Pradosh Vrat
• Oct 25: Purnima
• Oct 29: Karva Chauth 2026 / Sankashti Chaturthi
• Nov 4: Ekadashi
• Nov 6: Dhanteras 2026 / Pradosh Vrat
• Nov 8: Diwali 2026
• Nov 15: Chhath Puja 2026

FAQ

When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Ashburn? Chhath Puja 2026 is on November 15. Sandhya Arghya (the evening offering to the setting sun) is on November 14, and Usha Arghya (the dawn offering to the rising sun) is on November 15.

Where can I observe Chhath arghya in Northern Virginia? Community groups organize ghat-style setups at local parks with water access — ponds, lake-adjacent parks, and riverbanks in the area. Announcements go out through temple communication channels two to three weeks before the festival. Contact Radha Govind Dham or Durga Temple in October for details.

What is the Diwali Mela in the Ashburn area? The Diwali Mela 2026 is a large community celebration on October 10 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, MD. It features cultural performances, food, and community activities and is one of the major public events of the autumn festival season for the DMV South Asian community.

Which temples host programs for the Chhath festival season in Ashburn? Radha Govind Dham, Durga Temple, and Vedic Temple of Virginia in Sterling are the most active community temples for the autumn festival season. Connect with them directly in October for Chhath-specific event details.

Is ISKCON of DC active during the Chhath season? ISKCON of DC at 10310 Oaklyn Drive follows the Vaishnava festival calendar, which overlaps substantially with the autumn season. The temple is active for Diwali, Annakut, and related celebrations through October and November.

Bottom Line

Chhath Puja 2026 in Ashburn is on November 15, closing out an autumn festival season that begins with the Grand Ganapati Dhol Tasha Pathak on September 25 and includes the massive Diwali Mela 2026 on October 10 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, MD. Radha Govind Dham and Durga Temple are your first calls for community event details as November approaches. Connect with them in October — ghat gathering spots and volunteer slots fill well before the festival date.