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

TL;DR

• Chhath Puja 2026 runs November 13–16, with Sandhya Arghya (sunset offering) on Sunday, November 15
• Collierville and Greater Memphis have a growing Indian-American community with established Hindu and Swaminarayan institutions
• India Cultural Center & Temple (ICCT) has served the mid-South Indian community near Collierville since 1982
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Memphis is the city's second major temple institution with strong festival programming
• Find Collierville Desi event listings and calendar updates at desi.net/collierville

Chhath Puja in Collierville: Festival Roots and 2026 Dates

Chhath Puja is not among the Hindu festivals that most people outside Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh grew up observing — but for communities from those regions, it may be the most emotionally resonant festival of the year. Its four-day cycle of fasting, ritual bathing, and water offerings to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his sister Chhathi Maiya is simultaneously one of the most physically demanding and spiritually elevated observances in the Hindu calendar.

In the United States, Chhath Puja has spread far beyond its regional origins as Bihari and Purvanchal families have settled in cities like Memphis, Collierville, and surrounding mid-South communities. The 2026 dates are:

• November 13 (Nahay Khay): The purification day — ritual bathing and the beginning of the fast, with the first prasad prepared at home
• November 14 (Kharna): A daylong fast concluding with an evening puja; the fast breaks after sunset with kheer and roti
• November 15 (Sandhya Arghya): The festival's visual centerpiece — devotees gather at a water body at sunset and offer arghya to the sun while standing in the water
• November 16 (Usha Arghya): The sunrise offering that completes the festival and breaks the multi-day fast

Where to Celebrate Near Collierville

The India Cultural Center & Temple (ICCT) on Highway 64 at the edge of Collierville and Eads in Shelby County is the mid-South's longest-serving Hindu temple and cultural hub. Founded in 1982 as a premier spiritual and cultural resource for the growing Indian and Hindu communities of the region, ICCT has built a full-year festival calendar covering Makara Sankranti, Holi, Brahmotsavam, Navaratri, and Diwali among many others.

While ICCT's listed calendar does not always include Chhath Puja as a formal temple event — Chhath is traditionally observed at water rather than inside a temple — the center is a reliable point of contact for connecting with the local Bihari and eastern-UP communities who do observe it. Contact ICCT directly to ask whether community-organized Chhath gatherings are being coordinated for 2026.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Memphis on American Way is the city's other major Indian religious institution, drawing the Gujarati community and visitors from across the mid-South for meticulously organized festival programming. While BAPS temples do not traditionally observe Chhath Puja, the Mandir hosts Diwali, Annakut, and other November events that make it a natural part of the broader festival calendar this month. Its programs are well-structured and welcoming to first-time visitors.

The India Association of Memphis, which organizes the annual India Fest at Agricenter — Greater Memphis's largest Indian cultural celebration — coordinates community programming throughout the year. Though India Fest is primarily a spring or summer event, the India Association's network is an excellent resource for November festival information, particularly for community members new to the area who want to find where local Indian events are happening.

Insider Tip: Chhath Puja's key rituals happen outdoors at the water's edge. Memphis-area parks along the Wolf River, at Shelby Farms Park, and near the Mississippi River have served as gathering spots for south Asian community observances in past years. Contact ICCT or the India Association of Memphis for 2026 location details — this information typically travels through community apps and word of mouth, not official event listings.

November's Full Festival Arc Near Collierville

Chhath Puja arrives mid-month in a November already populated with major Hindu festivals. Dhanteras (November 6), Diwali (November 8), and Bhai Dooj (November 10) precede the Chhath cycle, so for Collierville's Indian-American families, the first three weeks of November represent an almost unbroken stretch of celebration.

Diwali on November 8 is a Sunday in 2026 — a natural anchor day for daytime pujas and evening celebrations. ICCT and BAPS Mandir Memphis both run expanded Diwali programming. The India Association of Memphis may also coordinate community Diwali gatherings; check with their networks directly.

For families with children, this November is a teaching moment: Dhanteras explains the importance of auspicious investments, Diwali brings the legend of Rama and Sita's return to Ayodhya, Bhai Dooj celebrates sibling relationships, and Chhath connects to the most elemental of forces — sun, water, and gratitude for sustenance. Each festival carries a distinct set of stories, rituals, and foods that give the month its texture.

After Chhath, Ekadashi and Pradosh Vrat continue the rhythm through the rest of November. ICCT posts its weekly and monthly puja schedules online; confirm specific timings before visiting.

FAQ

When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Collierville? The four-day festival runs November 13–16, 2026. Sandhya Arghya (the sunset offering) is on Sunday, November 15, and Usha Arghya (the sunrise offering and final day) is November 16.

Is there an official Chhath Puja event at ICCT? Chhath Puja is primarily observed at water bodies rather than inside temples. ICCT may coordinate community space or announce gathering locations closer to the date — confirm directly with the temple.

What's the difference between ICCT and BAPS Mandir Memphis? ICCT is a multi-deity Hindu temple serving a broad cross-section of the mid-South Indian community since 1982. BAPS Mandir follows the Swaminarayan tradition and draws primarily the Gujarati community. Both are established institutions and welcome visitors during major festivals.

Where can I find water-side Chhath gatherings near Collierville? Specific sites vary by year and are organized informally by community members. Connect with ICCT, the India Association of Memphis, or local Indian community social networks for 2026 location information.

Where do I find the most current Collierville Desi event listings? desi.net/collierville tracks local Indian-American events, temple schedules, and community news for the Collierville area. Confirm hours before attending any event.

Bottom Line

Chhath Puja 2026 brings Collierville a mid-November high point in an already festival-rich month. The India Cultural Center & Temple (ICCT) and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Memphis anchor the local Indian religious calendar, and the India Association of Memphis keeps the broader diaspora community connected year-round. For Chhath specifically, the ritual happens at the water's edge — connect with local Bihari and Purvanchal community networks for 2026 gathering sites. The full November calendar, including Diwali on November 8 and the Chhath cycle from November 13 to 16, is at desi.net/collierville. Confirm hours before you visit.