Nahay Khay 2026 will be observed on Friday, November 13, marking the beginning of the four-day Chhath Puja festival. Dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, this first day is associated with purification, discipline and the preparation of devotees for the rigorous fasting rituals ahead. On this occasion, devotees take a holy bath, clean their homes and prepare a traditional sattvic meal known as Kaddu Bhaat, consisting of bottle gourd curry, chana dal and rice. The food is prepared with particular attention to cleanliness and traditional dietary restrictions. From the authentic Kaddu Bhaat recipe to the food rules observed by devotees, here is everything to know about Nahay Khay.

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Nahay Khay 2026: Date And Chhath Puja Schedule

Nahay Khay marks the first day of Chhath Mahaparv, which is observed over four days during the Kartik month. Each day has a distinct ritual and spiritual significance.

The festival begins with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, when devotees observe a day-long fast and prepare jaggery-based kheer. The third day is dedicated to offering Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun, while the final day concludes with Usha Arghya to the rising Sun.

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What Is Nahay Khay And Why Is It Celebrated?

Nahay Khay literally translates to 'bathe and eat'. It is the day when devotees observing Chhath Puja begin their preparations by purifying their bodies, homes and surroundings.

The ritual begins with an early morning bath, often in a river or other sacred water body. Those who cannot visit a river or pond may take a bath at home, following their family traditions. The kitchen and cooking utensils are thoroughly cleaned, and food is prepared in a hygienic and traditionally pure environment.

The most important part of Nahay Khay is preparing and consuming a sattvic meal. Kaddu Bhaat, made with bottle gourd, chana dal and rice, is traditionally prepared for the occasion. The meal is first offered as prasad, and the person observing the Chhath fast generally eats before other family members. This marks the beginning of the discipline and dietary restrictions associated with the festival.

Kaddu Bhaat Recipe For Nahay Khay 2026

Kaddu Bhaat is one of the most significant traditional meals prepared on the first day of Chhath Puja. It generally includes three main preparations: kaddu ki sabzi, chana dal and plain rice. The recipe is traditionally prepared without onion and garlic. Sendha namak is used instead of regular table salt, while ghee and simple spices add flavour.

1. Ingredients For Kaddu Ki Sabzi

• 500 grams bottle gourd (lauki or kaddu)
• 2 tablespoons pure ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 green chillies
• A pinch of turmeric (if followed in your family tradition)
• Sendha namak as required
• Fresh coriander leaves

Method

• Wash, peel and cut the bottle gourd into small cubes.
• Heat ghee in a clean cooking vessel and add cumin seeds.
• Add green chillies and the chopped bottle gourd.
• Add turmeric and sendha namak according to taste.
• Mix well, cover and cook on a low flame until the bottle gourd becomes soft.
• Add a little water if required and allow the curry to cook until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves, if used in your household tradition.

2. Ingredients For Chana Dal

• 1 cup chana dal
• 1 teaspoon pure ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• A pinch of turmeric
• Sendha namak as required
• Water as needed

Method

• Wash the chana dal thoroughly and soak it for approximately 30-60 minutes.
• Pressure-cook the dal with water, turmeric and sendha namak until tender.
• Heat ghee in a separate pan and add cumin seeds.
• Pour the tempering over the cooked dal.
• Mix gently and keep the consistency slightly thick.

3. Ingredients For Bhaat (Rice)

• 1 cup arwa rice (unparboiled rice)
• 2-3 cups water, or as required
• A pinch of sendha namak, if preferred

Method

• Wash the rice thoroughly under running water.
• Bring water to a boil in a clean vessel.
• Add the rice and cook until the grains become soft and fluffy.
• Drain excess water if required.
• Serve fresh with kaddu ki sabzi and chana dal.

How Is Kaddu Bhaat Served On Nahay Khay?

The three preparations are served together as a traditional sattvic meal. The food is first offered to the deity according to household customs, after which the Chhath vrat observer consumes the meal. In many households, family members also eat the same preparation as prasad. The meal is traditionally prepared fresh, with special attention given to the cleanliness of the kitchen, utensils and ingredients.

Nahay Khay 2026: Traditional Food Rules To Follow

Food restrictions are an important part of Nahay Khay. They are followed to maintain the sattvic nature of the meal and prepare devotees for the upcoming fasting rituals. Here are some traditional food rules observed during Nahay Khay:

1. Avoid onion and garlic: Food is prepared without onion and garlic. The emphasis is on simple, sattvic ingredients.

2. Use sendha namak: Rock salt is traditionally preferred over regular table salt in the Nahay Khay meal.

3. Prepare fresh food: Kaddu Bhaat and other preparations are generally cooked fresh on the day of the ritual.

4. Maintain kitchen cleanliness: The kitchen, utensils and cooking area are cleaned carefully before food preparation. Some families follow separate cooking arrangements for Chhath prasad.

5. Use pure ingredients: Traditionally, pure ghee, fresh vegetables, clean rice and other suitable ingredients are used.

6. Avoid non-vegetarian food: Meat, fish and eggs are avoided during the Chhath observance. Many families also avoid outside food and processed ingredients.

7. Eat only according to vrat traditions: Many devotees observing Nahay Khay consume one sattvic meal on this day. The exact practice may differ according to family and regional customs.

What Happens After Nahay Khay?

Nahay Khay is followed by Kharna on November 14, 2026. On this day, devotees generally observe a fast throughout the day and prepare prasad in the evening.

The traditional Kharna offering includes jaggery-based rice kheer, roti and other preparations made according to family customs. After performing the evening rituals, devotees consume the prasad. This is followed by the rigorous nirjala fast, which continues until the final morning rituals of Chhath.

On November 15, devotees gather near rivers, ponds and other water bodies to offer Sandhya Arghya to the setting Sun. The festival concludes on November 16 with Usha Arghya, offered to the rising Sun, followed by Parana.

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