Chhath Puja is an important Hindu festival celebrated in devotion to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Its main rituals include offering Arghya to the setting Sun and welcoming the rising Sun with prayers the following morning.
For Indian families in San Jose and the wider Bay Area, knowing both local timings is useful when planning the festival. San Jose follows Pacific Standard Time (PST) in November, so devotees should use local California timings rather than Indian timings.
For the commonly followed November 15–16, 2026 schedule, the approximate Arghya timings in San Jose are:
<text weight=”semibold” color=”success” size=”lg”>4:57 PM PST – Sandhya Arghya</text>
<text weight=”semibold” color=”success” size=”lg”>6:48 AM PST – Usha Arghya</text>
These are approximate local sunset and sunrise times. Devotees should confirm the final ritual schedule with their local Panchang or priest.
Chhath Puja includes two important offerings to the Sun.
Sandhya Arghya is offered to the setting Sun on the evening of the main Chhath day. Devotees gather near a suitable water source with fruits, prasad, and other traditional offerings.
Usha Arghya is offered to the rising Sun the following morning. It is the concluding major ritual of the festival, after which devotees complete the observance according to their family tradition.
Both rituals express gratitude, devotion, and respect for nature.
If you are celebrating in San Jose or nearby Bay Area communities, these steps can help:
If you are planning a public gathering, confirm whether the venue requires permits or advance approval.
Families can look for announcements from Hindu temples, Indian cultural associations, and regional community organisations in San Jose and nearby Bay Area cities.
Some families may celebrate at home, while others may join community gatherings. Contact organisers directly to confirm the event location, schedule, and any participation requirements.
For traditional festival guidance and puja preparation, read chhath puja 2026 or छठ पूजा 2026.
The approximate sunset time on November 15, 2026, is 4:57 PM PST.
The approximate sunrise time on November 16, 2026, is 6:48 AM PST.
No. The cities are in the same time zone, but their geographical locations create small differences in sunrise and sunset times.
Arriving around 20–30 minutes before the local sunset or sunrise is a useful planning guideline.
Chhath Puja 2026 in San Jose gives Indian families an opportunity to continue their traditions and celebrate together. The approximate timings of 4:57 PM PST for Sandhya Arghya and 6:48 AM PST for Usha Arghya can help with planning.
Always confirm the local ritual schedule before travelling. Sadhana Shop helps devotees explore traditional puja essentials and prepare for Chhath celebrations in the USA.