Overview
- Devotees observed Kharna on October 26 with a day-long waterless fast, breaking it after sunset with sattvic prasad such as jaggery kheer and roti.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted Kharna greetings on X and shared a Chhath folk song by Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’, after earlier amplifying classics by Sharda Sinha.
- State and city authorities prepared river ghats across Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and major metros for large gatherings, with Indian Railways operating over 12,000 special services.
- The ritual sequence proceeds to Sandhya Arghya on October 27 and concludes with Usha Arghya and Parana on October 28, marking completion of the 36-hour fast.
- Religious guidance advises those who unintentionally break the fast to bathe, offer prayers, donate essentials and continue the observance or undertake it again.