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

TL;DR

• 🌅 Chhath Puja 2026 runs November 13–16, with Sandhya Arghya (sunset offering) on November 15 and Usha Arghya (sunrise offering) on November 16
• The Inland Empire's growing South Asian community gathers at lakes and water bodies for arghya rituals each year
• Bombay Bazaar and New Spice World are Corona's go-to stops for puja supplies, fresh produce, and specialty groceries
• Himalayan Aroma brings authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine to Corona's Desi dining scene
• Confirm hours before you go and watch community channels for the confirmed ghat location

Chhath Puja: The Festival of the Sun

Chhath Puja is one of the oldest continuing festival traditions in the Vedic calendar, rooted in devotion to Surya, the sun god, and Chhathi Maiya, his divine sister. For the diaspora from Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, it is not simply a religious event — it is a cultural thread that follows the community wherever it goes, from the banks of the Ganga in Patna to a permitted lakeside in California's Inland Empire.

The 2026 festival runs across four days. Day one, Nahay Khay, is Friday, November 13: a ritual bath and a single sattvic meal to begin the purification. Day two, Kharna, is Saturday, November 14: a full-day fast broken after sunset with kheer and roti, after which the 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast begins. Day three, Sandhya Arghya, is the visual heart of the festival — Sunday, November 15 — when fasting devotees stand at the water's edge at exact sunset and hold bamboo soop baskets filled with thekua, fresh fruit, sugarcane, and coconut toward the sky. Day four, Usha Arghya, is Monday, November 16: the same ritual repeated at sunrise, closing the fast and completing the puja.

Family and friends line the bank for both arghyas, often singing traditional Chhath geets through the night. The atmosphere is at once solemn and celebratory.

Celebrating in Corona and the Inland Empire

The Inland Empire's South Asian community has grown significantly in recent years, with Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, and Sri Lankan families spreading across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. While the region does not host Chhath events on the scale of Fremont's Quarry Lake gathering — which draws thousands in Northern California — local Bihari and Purvanchali families organize water-body celebrations close to the festival dates each year.

The Hindu Society of Inland Empire is among the organizations serving the region's Hindu diaspora, connecting families from different Indian states to shared worship and festivals. For confirmed 2026 ghat locations and timings, follow community social media and announcements in the weeks before the festival, as water-body permits are confirmed late and locations can change.

For timing purposes: in the Inland Empire, sunset on November 15 falls around 4:55 PM Pacific Time, and sunrise on November 16 arrives around 6:35 AM. Arrive at the ghat well before each — public gatherings often draw more attendees than expected, and the water's edge fills quickly.

Stocking Your Puja Basket in Corona

A well-prepared arghya basket needs raw sugarcane stalks, thekua, coconut, bananas, amla, pears, pomelo (chakotara), sindoor, and diyas. Most items are available at Corona's South Asian grocery stores.

Bombay Bazaar at 2284 Griffin Way, Suite 101, is a dedicated Indian grocery in Corona carrying a wide selection of South Asian pantry staples, spices, lentils, and specialty products. It draws from Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan product lines, making it a reliable one-stop shop for puja supplies and everyday ingredients alike.

New Spice World at 944 W 6th Street combines a well-stocked South Asian grocery with a restaurant section. Reviewers highlight the authentic spice selection and fresh produce, and the dining side offers both buffet and à la carte options. With a strong local following and over 300 reviews on directory listings, it functions as both a pantry and a gathering spot for the South Asian community in Corona.

Masala House Groceries at 6987 Hamner Ave rounds out the grocery picture, specializing in spices, herbs, and specialty Indian ingredients for home cooking.

Insider Tip: Thekua — the deep-fried wheat-and-jaggery cookies that are the signature prasad of Chhath Puja — can be difficult to find pre-made in stores outside major Bihari community hubs. Ask in local Bihari and Purvanchali WhatsApp groups: community members often prepare and share them in the weeks leading up to the festival. Ordering early is advisable.

Where to Eat in Corona's Desi Scene

Himalayan Aroma at 540 Hidden Valley Pkwy is the standout for the Bihari and Nepali community in Corona. The menu blends authentic Indian and Nepalese flavors — dal bhat, momos, and thukpa alongside tandoor dishes and curries — and the restaurant serves a community that spans multiple South Asian traditions. For a family meal before or after the festival, it is a natural gathering point.

Masala House at 6993 Hamner Ave B2, adjacent to the grocery, offers a dining room alongside the retail space, serving a rotating menu of Indian home-style cooking. The combined model — groceries and a kitchen under one roof — mirrors how many South Asian families actually cook and eat, and makes it efficient for a weekday stop or a festival prep run.

Tips for the Ghat

Mid-November evenings in Corona can be cool, with temperatures dropping through the 50s and into the 40s Fahrenheit as the night goes on after Sandhya Arghya. Bring layers for children and elders, and plan for several hours at the water's edge.

If fasting devotees plan to stand in a water body for the arghya, confirm in advance whether the local ghat permits this. Some venues use designated areas with controlled access to the water, particularly at managed parks or reservoirs.

Chhath gatherings are photogenic but sacred. Ask before photographing devotees, especially those in the water during the arghya. Many families prefer privacy during the most intense moments of prayer.

FAQ

When is Chhath Puja 2026? November 13–16, 2026. The sunset arghya (Sandhya Arghya) falls on November 15 and the sunrise arghya (Usha Arghya) on November 16.

Is there an organized Chhath event near Corona, CA? Local Bihari and Purvanchali community groups and organizations like the Hindu Society of Inland Empire typically arrange water-body gatherings. Watch community social media and WhatsApp groups for the confirmed location and timing closer to the date.

What water bodies are used for Chhath arghya near Corona? Lakes and reservoirs in Riverside and San Bernardino counties have been used for community gatherings. The organizing group will specify the permitted site for 2026 — and confirm hours before you go.

What should I bring to a Chhath gathering? Comfortable clothing, warm layers for the November evening, a bamboo soop if you are fasting, and offerings including thekua, fresh fruits, and coconut. Many samitis also ask attendees to help keep the ghat area clean, so a reusable bag for your own packaging is a thoughtful addition.

Can vegetarians find puja supplies in Corona? Yes. Bombay Bazaar and New Spice World carry vegetarian-friendly produce, grains, and specialty items appropriate for Chhath prasad. Neither store requires a special request for vegetarian options — the staples are on the shelf.

Bottom Line

Chhath Puja in Corona and the Inland Empire carries a tradition across continents without losing a step. As November 15 approaches and the sky turns golden over a California lake, the ritual of standing in water with an offering basket held aloft is as ancient as the Bihar countryside — and as alive as the families who practice it here. Stock your puja basket at Bombay Bazaar or New Spice World, find the community ghat via local networks, and confirm hours before you go.

Browse the Corona Desi directory for South Asian restaurants, groceries, temples, and community organizations in the area.