Chhath Puja 2026 in Richmond: Events, Puja & Where to Celebrate
TL;DR: Richmond, Virginia's South Asian community has an active festival calendar this fall. Chhath Puja 2026 falls on November 15, with a season that includes Navratri (Oct 11), Diwali (Nov 8), and more. ISKCON of Virginia at W Clay St anchors the temple community. 🌅
Richmond's South Asian Festival Season
Richmond, Virginia has seen steady growth in its South Asian population over the past decade, with a community that actively celebrates its cultural and religious heritage. The autumn festival season from October through mid-November is the highlight of the year.
Iskcon Of Virginia INC at 807 34 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23220, is one of the community's key spiritual centers — a Vaishnava temple that holds programs throughout the year including Diwali celebrations and other major festivals.
October Festival Calendar
🗓️ Oct 06 — Ekadashi: Monthly Vishnu-dedicated fast. 🗓️ Oct 08 — Pradosh Vrat: Bi-monthly Shiva fast observed in the evening. 🗓️ Oct 10 — Amavasya: New moon, ancestral offerings.
🗓️ Oct 11 — Navratri 2026 🎊: Nine nights of Devi puja begin. The Greater Richmond Indian community organizes Garba and Dandiya events during this period — look for community hall bookings and event announcements in October.
🗓️ Oct 18 — Durga Ashtami 2026: The eighth night of Navratri — the most sacred evening of the nine-night festival, with havan ceremonies and kanya puja.
🗓️ Oct 20 — Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026: Victory Day — Ravan Dahan events and community celebrations mark the conclusion of Navratri.
🗓️ Oct 21 — Ekadashi: Second Ekadashi of October. 🗓️ Oct 23 — Pradosh Vrat: Second Pradosh Vrat of October. 🗓️ Oct 25 — Purnima: Full moon, significant for charitable activities and temple offerings.
🗓️ Oct 29 — Karva Chauth 2026: The moonrise fast for married women — observed with community moonrise gatherings. 🗓️ Oct 29 — Sankashti Chaturthi: Ganesha's monthly observance falls on the same day.
📌 Insider Tip: For Garba and Diwali event information in Richmond, check with local Indian community associations and cultural organizations. Iskcon Of Virginia INC at W Clay St is a reliable starting point for temple-based festival programming.
November: Dhanteras, Diwali, and Chhath Puja
🗓️ Nov 04 — Ekadashi: First Ekadashi of November. 🗓️ Nov 06 — Pradosh Vrat: Third Pradosh Vrat of the season. 🗓️ Nov 06 — Dhanteras 2026: Gold and new utensil purchases mark the first day of Diwali week.
🗓️ Nov 08 — Diwali 2026 🪔: The Festival of Lights. The Richmond Indian community gathers for Diwali melas, cultural shows, and temple Lakshmi puja. Iskcon Of Virginia INC typically holds special programs on Diwali.
🗓️ Nov 08 — Amavasya: The new moon on Diwali amplifies the significance of the lighting of diyas — the darkest night becoming the most brilliant.
🗓️ Nov 10 — Bhai Dooj 2026: Sisters honor brothers in the final day of the Diwali period.
Chhath Puja 2026 in Richmond: November 15
Chhath Puja 2026 on November 15 is one of the most anticipated festivals for Richmond's Bihari and North Indian community. The four-day festival — which begins three days prior to Nov 15 — involves strict fasting, ritual bathing, and offering arghya to the setting and rising sun at a water body.
Richmond's James River and local lakes serve as gathering points for the sunrise and sunset arghya ceremonies. The community gathers before dawn on the final morning (Usha Arghya) in traditional attire, carrying prasadam trays with thekua, coconut, and seasonal fruits. 🌅
The four days:
- Nahay Khay (Day 1): Ritual bath and a single simple meal
- Kharna (Day 2): Evening prasadam — thekua and kheer prepared and distributed
- Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Evening offering to the setting sun at the water's edge
- Usha Arghya (Day 4, Nov 15): Sunrise offering — the culmination of the festival
🗓️ Nov 20 — Ekadashi: Following Chhath Puja, the month closes with Ekadashi on Nov 20. 🗓️ Nov 22 — Pradosh Vrat: The fourth Pradosh Vrat of the season.
Finding Community Events in Richmond
The Richmond South Asian community hosts events through several channels:
- Local temple and cultural association Facebook pages
- Eventbrite for Diwali melas and Navratri Garba events
- Community WhatsApp groups (search local Indian community groups)
- Iskcon Of Virginia INC at W Clay St for temple-based programs
FAQ
Q: When is Chhath Puja 2026 in Richmond, VA? Chhath Puja 2026 falls on November 15, 2026 — specifically the Usha Arghya (sunrise offering) ceremony on the final day.
Q: Where does the Richmond Indian community celebrate Chhath Puja? Local water bodies including areas along the James River and community lakes are typical gathering spots. Connect with community organizations for the specific designated location each year.
Q: When is Diwali 2026 in Richmond? Diwali 2026 falls on November 8, 2026 in Richmond, VA.
Q: What temple services are available at Iskcon of Virginia in Richmond? Iskcon Of Virginia INC at 807 34 W Clay St offers regular pujas, kirtans, and festival-specific programming. Contact them directly for the 2026 Diwali schedule.
Q: When does Navratri 2026 begin in Richmond? Navratri 2026 begins on October 11, 2026.
Bottom Line
Richmond's South Asian community has a full two months of celebration ahead: from Navratri 2026 (Oct 11) and Dussehra (Oct 20) through Karva Chauth (Oct 29), Diwali 2026 (Nov 8), and the main event — Chhath Puja 2026 (Nov 15). With Iskcon Of Virginia INC anchoring the community's spiritual life, Richmond has the infrastructure for a beautiful festival season. 🎉