Chhath Puja 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate

Chhath Puja 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad: Ghats, Rituals and the Celebration

Every November, Pimpri-Chinchwad transforms at the edges of its rivers and lakes. Pawana and Indrayani — rivers that most residents cross by bridge on their daily commutes — become the sites of one of Maharashtra's most visually striking observances: Chhath Puja, the four-day Sun worship festival that the city's large North Indian migrant community has made its own over the past three decades.

Pimpri-Chinchwad is industrial Maharashtra — automotive plants, pharmaceutical companies, IT parks — which means a steady influx of workers from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Those families brought Chhath Puja with them and have continued to observe it with remarkable fidelity. By 2025, the Bihar Foundation's Pune chapter coordinated Chhath at more than 40 locations across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The scale of that number tells you exactly how far the tradition has spread from its Gangetic heartland.

In 2026, Chhath Puja runs from Friday, November 13 (Nahay Khay) to Monday, November 16 (Usha Arghya). The main Sandhya Arghya falls on Sunday, November 15 at sunset. The Usha Arghya — the pre-dawn offering to the rising sun — concludes the vrat on Monday, November 16.

The Ghats of Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pimpri-Chinchwad has developed a network of established Chhath ghats over the years, primarily along its two main rivers. Among the most consistently used are Pawneshwar Ghat in Pimpri and Jhulalel Ghat, also in Pimpri — both riverfront locations that have been designated and prepared for the festival in recent years by the community and local authorities.

Pawana Ghat in Chinchwad, along the river that gives the suburb much of its identity, is another gathering point for communities on the western side of the municipal boundary. The Indrayani River Ghat near Dehu Road draws devotees from the northern parts of the city, while Ganesh Talav in Pradhikaran — a lake-adjacent site in one of PCMC's more planned residential sectors — has emerged as a significant gathering location for the growing resident population of that area.

The number of active ghats reflects the composition of the city's migrant workforce. Thergaon, Ravet, Kalewadi, and Chinchwad have all hosted community Chhath events in recent years. PCMC has traditionally worked with community organizations to demarcate and prepare designated ghats, ensuring safety access and crowd management.

Confirm the specific 2026 ghat list with PCMC or the Bihar Foundation Pune chapter before you go — routes, timings, and venue availability can change from year to year.

The Bihar Foundation and Community Coordination

The Bihar Foundation plays an important organizational role in coordinating Chhath Puja across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. It compiles the annual ghat list — distributed in the week before the festival — and helps communicate between community groups and municipal authorities.

A 2025 report confirmed that the Bihar Foundation facilitated Chhath at 30+ major venues across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with the final count exceeding 40 locations. This coordination covers not just venue listing but also community outreach, safety information, and logistics for the thousands of families who attend the Sandhya Arghya.

The scale of participation has made Chhath Puja one of the most well-attended public festivals in Pimpri-Chinchwad — a city that also knows Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri on a grand scale. Chhath holds its own in that company.

The Four Days of the Vrat

Nahay Khay (November 13): Devotees bathe in a river or designated water body. Fresh rice, chana dal, and bottle gourd are cooked and consumed as the first step in the purification process.

Kharna (November 14): The main fast begins. Kheer made with jaggery and salt-free roti are prepared as evening prasad, shared with family. After this point, those observing the vrat take neither food nor water until Usha Arghya.

Sandhya Arghya (November 15): The great public event. Families gather at their ghat before sunset — women in silk saris carrying bamboo supa baskets laden with thekua, sugarcane, fruits, and flowers. They wade into the water and offer arghya to the setting sun as the sky turns orange and the ghat fills with Bhojpuri Chhath geet. It is visually extraordinary.

Usha Arghya (November 16): The final offering before sunrise ends the fast and completes the vrat. Ghats that filled with diyas the night before come alive again before first light.

Planning Your Visit to the Ghats

Crowds at the main ghats — particularly Pawneshwar Ghat and Jhulalel Ghat — can be very large on the evening of the Sandhya Arghya. Arrive early to secure a position, and bring whatever you need for the full sunset-to-dark wait. PCMC generally provides security and crowd management at designated ghats, but facilities vary by location. Confirm all details with PCMC or the Bihar Foundation Pune chapter in advance, and check the official 2026 ghat list before you plan your route.

For the Pimpri-Chinchwad community directory — restaurants, grocery stores, temples, and local events — visit desi.net/pimpri-chinchwad.

FAQ

When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Pimpri-Chinchwad? November 13–16. The Sandhya Arghya is on Sunday, November 15, and the Usha Arghya concludes the festival on Monday, November 16.

Which are the main Chhath Puja ghats in Pimpri-Chinchwad? Pawneshwar Ghat and Jhulalel Ghat in Pimpri, Pawana Ghat in Chinchwad, Indrayani River Ghat near Dehu Road, and Ganesh Talav in Pradhikaran are among the regularly used locations. Confirm the 2026 list with PCMC or the Bihar Foundation before you go.

Who organizes Chhath Puja in Pimpri-Chinchwad? The Bihar Foundation Pune chapter and local community samitis coordinate with PCMC. Announcements are typically made in the week before the festival.

Is Chhath Puja only for North Indians? Chhath has its roots in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern UP, but in Pimpri-Chinchwad it is a genuinely cross-community celebration. Many families from other regions also participate.

Where can I find more Pimpri-Chinchwad community information? Visit desi.net/pimpri-chinchwad for local business listings, events, and community resources.

Bottom Line

Chhath Puja in Pimpri-Chinchwad is what happens when a tradition survives a migration intact. The same four-day structure, the same bamboo supa, the same Bhojpuri songs — now practiced on the banks of Pawana and Indrayani rather than the Ganga. The Bihar Foundation coordinates 40 venues, the ghats fill at sunset, and the diyas float on November water. For 2026, the festival runs November 13–16. Find your nearest ghat, confirm timings before you go, and join the city at the river's edge.