Chhath Puja Canberra 2025: Capital Territory Community Events. Oct 25–28 dates, Sandhya/Usha times, Lake Burley Griffin ghats with addresses, vidhi, safety, permits.

Chhath Puja Canberra 2025: Capital Territory Community Events Guide

Chhath Puja Canberra 2025: Capital Territory Community Events brings the vrati’s four-day vow to Australia’s capital with precision, safety, and community care. If you are part of the Canberra Bihar diaspora—or you simply follow the Hindu calendar—this comprehensive guide gives you the exact festival dates (Oct 25–28), Sandhya and Usha reference windows for the ACT, a step-by-step vidhi, and a curated list of popular ghats around Lake Burley Griffin, Yerrabi Pond, Lake Tuggeranong, and Lake Ginninderra—with addresses and practical access tips.

You will also get transport planning, permits and council guidance, eco-friendly best practices, volunteer lane-flow instructions, and ready-to-use checklists. Use this to keep the vrati’s focus on prayer while the family handles logistics, safety, and timing.

Table of Contents

2025 Chhath Puja dates (ACT, AEDT)
Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Canberra
Canberra ghats and water venues with addresses
Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)
Vrati samagri checklist and prasad prep
Safety, permits, and eco practices
Transport, parking, and accessibility (Transport Canberra)
Suburb-wise itineraries to reach on time
Volunteer roles and on-the-day lane flow
Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
Case studies from the Canberra community
Key statistics and sources
Internal and external resources

2025 Chhath Puja dates (ACT, AEDT)

Canberra observes AEDT (UTC+11) in late October. Chhath runs Saturday 25 October to Tuesday 28 October 2025.

Nahay Khay (Day 1): Saturday, 25 Oct 2025
The vrati bathes, purifies the kitchen and utensils, and begins a simple satvik diet.
Kharna (Day 2): Sunday, 26 Oct 2025
Day-long fast. After sunset, vrati breaks the fast with prasad (kheer–roti), then begins the nirjala (waterless) fast until Usha Arghya.
Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Monday, 27 Oct 2025
Evening offering to the setting sun at a ghat or safe water’s edge.
Usha Arghya (Day 4): Tuesday, 28 Oct 2025
Pre-dawn offering to the rising sun, followed by paran (fast-breaking) after prayers.

Featured snippet: Four-day schedule at a glance

Oct 25: Nahay Khay
Oct 26: Kharna (post-sunset prasad)
Oct 27: Sandhya Arghya (sunset offering)
Oct 28: Usha Arghya (sunrise offering) and paran

Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Canberra

Chhath’s essence is timing the arghya to sunset and just-before sunrise.

Sandhya Arghya (Mon, Oct 27): around 7:35 PM AEDT
Usha Arghya (Tue, Oct 28): around 5:55 AM AEDT

How to use this:

Arrive at your chosen ghat 45–60 minutes before sunset and 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
Verify your exact minute for the specific foreshore/park via the Bureau of Meteorology or timeanddate on the day.
Nominate a timekeeper to cue quiet at T–5 minutes and the pour at T–0.

Sources for sun times

Bureau of Meteorology — http://www.bom.gov.au/
timeanddate (Canberra) — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/australia/canberra

Canberra ghats and water venues with addresses

These lake and riverside locations are popular within the community because they offer firm footing, gentle edges, and good access. Final community venues may vary year to year. Always confirm assembly points and any permit requirements with organisers, the National Capital Authority (NCA) for National Land, or ACT Government for Territory land.

Lake Burley Griffin — Central Basin, West Basin, East Basin

Yarralumla Bay — Alexandrina Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2600
Sheltered bay, grassed edges, parking pockets along Alexandrina Dr.
Weston Park (Yarralumla) — Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla ACT 2600
Family-friendly lawns with several shallow-access points.
Commonwealth Park — Commonwealth Ave, Parkes ACT 2600
Central, well-lit lawns; National Land (NCA permit may be required for events).
Regatta Point — Barrine Dr, Parkes ACT 2600
Iconic foreshore with paved access; National Land—confirm event permissions.
Henry Rolland Park — Barrine Dr, Acton ACT 2601
West Basin promenade with gentle entries; National Land—check NCA.
Black Mountain Peninsula — Garryowen Dr, Acton ACT 2601
Spacious lawns and calm water edges; good for group lanes.
Grevillea Park (East Basin) — Menindee Dr, Barton ACT 2600
Popular near Kingston Foreshore; ample space and views.
Bowen Park (East Basin) — Bowen Dr, Barton ACT 2600
Long foreshore with gentle slope to water; check local conditions.
Patrick White Lawns — Parkes Pl W, Parkes ACT 2600
Large National Land lawn near the National Library—coordinate with NCA.

Belconnen — Lake Ginninderra

John Knight Memorial Park — Aikman Dr, Belconnen ACT 2617
Lakeside lawns and paths; several shallow entries.
Emu Bank Foreshore — Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT 2617
Promenade with access points; verify the safest edge for vratis.

Gungahlin — Yerrabi Pond

Yerrabi Pond District Park — Gundaroo Dr, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Popular family park with multiple calm entry points; check footing.

Tuggeranong — Lake Tuggeranong

Lake Tuggeranong Town Park — Bartlett Pl, Greenway ACT 2900
Large foreshore with parking; select stable, shallow edges only.

Important notes before choosing a ghat

Prioritise shallow, firm footing and clear exits; avoid algae-slick sections.
Confirm open-flame rules for diyas; carry wind shields or LED tealights if flames are restricted.
For National Land (e.g., Commonwealth Park, Regatta Point, Henry Rolland Park, Patrick White Lawns), event approvals may be required from the NCA.
For Territory land (e.g., Yerrabi Pond, Lake Tuggeranong, Lake Ginninderra), contact ACT Government/Access Canberra for guidance.
Mark “dry lines” 1–2 metres from the water. Only vratis step forward for arghya.

Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)

Chhath emphasises purity, discipline, and exact timing. Keep your setup minimal, respectful, and safe.

Day 1: Nahay Khay — Saturday, Oct 25

Clean the home, kitchen, and puja area; wash puja utensils separately.
Vrati bathes and prepares satvik food (often pumpkin, rice, dal).
Offer the meal to the deity first; vrati begins the disciplined diet.

Day 2: Kharna — Sunday, Oct 26

Vrati fasts the whole day without water.
After sunset, prepare kheer (gur or sugar), ghee-roasted roti, and fruits.
Offer to the deity, distribute prasad, and the vrati eats once.
Nirjala fast continues till Usha Arghya.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — Monday, Oct 27

Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset.
Arrange soop/daura; place thekua, fruits, turmeric, flowers; fill lota/kalash.
As the sun nears the horizon, vrati faces the water and offers arghya, chanting Chhath geet.
Maintain single-direction flow; return to the dry zone calmly.

Day 4: Usha Arghya — Tuesday, Oct 28

Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
Offer arghya to the first rays of the rising sun; complete kosi (where observed) with strict fire safety.
Touch elders’ feet; vrati breaks the fast (paran) after prayers.

Featured Snippet: 9-step arghya offering guide

Place a deity image and set the soop/daura with thekua, fruits, turmeric, and flowers.
Fill lota/kalash with clean water; add flowers or a few drops of milk.
Stand at a shallow, stable edge; family remains behind the dry line.
Light diyas; prefer enclosed lamps or wind shields in breezy conditions.
At sunset/sunrise, pour arghya gently while chanting Chhath geet.
Offer thekua and fruits with devotion; keep the soop steady.
Hold a few breaths of silence; complete personal prayers.
Step back safely; guide elders first; avoid crowding the waterline.
Extinguish diyas fully; pack out every item and any litter.

Vrati samagri checklist and prasad prep

Core samagri

Soop/daura (bamboo), lota/kalash, deep (diya), incense
Mustard oil/ghee, cotton wicks, long lighter/matches
Thekua ingredients: wheat flour, gur/sugar, ghee, cardamom
Kheer ingredients: rice, milk, gur/sugar, cardamom
Fruits (banana, apple, coconut), turmeric, kumkum, flowers
Sugarcane stalks or pieces (if available), seasonal produce
Clean dupatta/shawl for vrati; spare cloth

Logistics and comfort

LED lantern/headlamp, spare batteries
Hand wipes, tissues, sanitizer, small towel
Reusable tins and compostable bags; labels for “vrati,” “family,” “distribution”
Water for non-fasters; small first-aid sachet; warm layers for pre-dawn

Prasad packing tips

Cool thekua fully before sealing to keep it crisp.
Use lidded, reusable tins; avoid flimsy plastic.
Carry a compact board and knife for fruit, then repack peels for proper disposal at home.

Safety, permits, and eco practices

Water safety

Mark a clear dry line 1–2 metres from the water.
Keep to ankle-to-calf depth; avoid algae and unstable banks.
Assign ghat marshals for each lane; children stay with adults.
In emergencies, call 000 and give the park address or nearest road.

Fire & diya safety

Use enclosed lamps or wind shields; keep sand/water within arm’s reach.
Extinguish all flames before leaving.
Where open flames are restricted, switch to LED tealights respectfully.

Permits and approvals

National Capital Authority (National Land: many Lake Burley Griffin shores) — event approvals may be required.
https://www.nca.gov.au/
Access Canberra (Territory land, event guidance) — holding an event in the ACT.
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/
Check water quality/blue-green algae alerts before selecting a ghat.

Eco-friendly Chhath

Use leaf bowls/biodegradable plates; avoid plastic garlands and glitter.
Never leave offerings in water; pack out flowers, fruits, and crumbs.
Segregate waste into organic and recyclables; leave the ghat cleaner than you found it.

Contrarian but wise

If wind or water is unsafe at the edge, step a few metres inland and offer arghya facing the sun using a shallow water tray. Safety is part of dharma.

Transport, parking, and accessibility (Transport Canberra)

Public transport

Light Rail (City to Gungahlin) and Rapid buses connect most districts to the City and lakes.
Use the journey planner to arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset and 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
Journey planner: https://www.transport.act.gov.au/

Driving and parking

Lake foreshore parks have a mix of free/timed bays; demand spikes near sunset.
Plan a drop-off for vratis and elders; the driver can park a few streets away.
Bring headlamps/lanterns for safe pre-dawn walking.

Accessibility

Prefer paved entries and even gradients (Commonwealth Park, Henry Rolland Park, John Knight Memorial Park).
Ask councils/NCA about accessible toilets and nearest disabled bays.
Keep lanterns low to avoid blinding others at pre-dawn gatherings.

Suburb-wise itineraries to reach on time

Belconnen and North Canberra (Kaleen, Lawson, Bruce)

Suggested ghats: John Knight Memorial Park, Emu Bank Foreshore, Black Mountain Peninsula.
Depart: 60 minutes before sunset; 45 minutes before sunrise.
Tip: Use enclosed lamps; lakeside breezes can be lively.

Gungahlin (Amaroo, Harrison, Franklin)

Suggested ghats: Yerrabi Pond District Park; Henry Rolland Park for central gatherings.
Depart: 60–75 minutes before sunset; light rail to City + short drive/walk for West Basin.

Woden–Weston Creek–Molonglo (Curtin, Weston, Denman Prospect)

Suggested ghats: Weston Park, Yarralumla Bay, Black Mountain Peninsula.
Depart: 60 minutes before sunset; add 15 minutes for parking on busy evenings.

Inner South (Barton, Kingston, Griffith)

Suggested ghats: Grevillea Park, Bowen Park, Commonwealth Park.
Depart: 45–60 minutes before sunset; walkable from many Inner South addresses.

Tuggeranong (Greenway, Wanniassa, Calwell)

Suggested ghats: Lake Tuggeranong Town Park or central foreshore if joining larger groups.
Depart: 60–75 minutes before sunset; plan a drop-off for vratis and elders.

City and Acton

Suggested ghats: Regatta Point, Henry Rolland Park, Commonwealth Park.
Depart: 45 minutes before sunset; consider walking or cycling where safe.

Buffer rule

Families: 30–40 minutes early.
Medium groups (30–80): 45–60 minutes early.
Large gatherings (100+): 60–90 minutes early to mark lanes and brief volunteers.

Volunteer roles and on-the-day lane flow

Core volunteer roles

Ghat marshals: Mark lanes, manage dry lines, cue movement.
Fire wardens: Diyas, extinguishers/sand, wind shields.
First-aid/hydration: Plasters, saline wipes; water for non-fasters.
Waste leads: Compostable bags; final sweep and leave-no-trace.

Sandhya flow (recommended)

T–90: Mark lanes and exits; test lanterns; identify shallow edges.
T–60: Families arrive; vratis arrange soops; diya setup with wind guards.
T–10: Quiet cue; ready lotas/kalash; timekeeper watches the horizon.
T–0: Single “now” cue for arghya; move lane-by-lane; no crowd surges.
T+15: Controlled exit; ember check; pack out all items.

Usha flow (recommended)

Pre-dawn arrival; low lights; minimal sound.
Offer at verified sunrise minute.
Guide to paran area; waste segregation and final checks.

Photos, music, and respectful sound levels

Photos: Take 2–3 quick, respectful shots after the offering. Keep aisles clear; avoid flash.
Music: Keep bhajans at family-friendly volumes; soften or pause in the last 5 minutes before arghya.
Dhol/taashe: Joyful after the offering—keep a short celebration away from the waterline.

Case studies from the Canberra community

Yarralumla Bay, elder-friendly gathering

Families arrived 55 minutes early and used wind-shielded diyas. The timekeeper called T–5 quiet and a T–0 pour exactly at sunset. Elders remained behind the dry line, and exit flow was calm and quick.

Regatta Point, city workers

A small group posted the timeanddate minute one day ahead and met 60 minutes before sunset. With paved access and good lighting, the offering aligned perfectly, and cleanup took 10 minutes.

Yerrabi Pond, Gungahlin

Parents chose a protected inlet with firm footing and marked a clear dry line. Usha Arghya finished by 6:00 AM, and paran began by 6:20 AM under a warm gazebo.

Lake Tuggeranong Town Park

A combined family–friends group staged two lanes with cones. Breezy air was no issue with enclosed lamps. Thekua tins were labelled “vrati” and “distribution,” avoiding confusion.

Key statistics and sources

Hinduism is Australia’s fastest-growing religion, reaching about 2.7% of the population in the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2021 Census — https://www.abs.gov.au/
Australia recorded 281 drowning deaths in 2022–23; rivers and inland waterways are high-risk settings—relevant for lakes and river foreshores used during Chhath.
Source: Royal Life Saving – Australia, National Drowning Report — https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/
The ACT observes Daylight Saving Time by late October (AEDT, UTC+11), affecting sunset/sunrise minutes for Sandhya and Usha.
Source: timeanddate – Time in Canberra — https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/australia/canberra
Many Lake Burley Griffin foreshores are National Land; community events there may require approvals from the National Capital Authority.
Source: National Capital Authority — https://www.nca.gov.au/
City-specific sunrise/sunset times vary by exact foreshore and horizon; always verify on the day.
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology — http://www.bom.gov.au/ | timeanddate — https://www.timeanddate.com/

These figures underscore why precise timing, water awareness, and compliance are central to a serene, safe Chhath in Canberra.

Internal and external resources

Authoritative external links

ABS — https://www.abs.gov.au/
Bureau of Meteorology — http://www.bom.gov.au/
timeanddate (Canberra sun times) — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/australia/canberra
Royal Life Saving – Australia — https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/
National Capital Authority — https://www.nca.gov.au/
Access Canberra — https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/
Transport Canberra — https://www.transport.act.gov.au/

FAQ section

What are the Chhath Puja dates for Canberra in 2025?

Chhath runs from Saturday 25 October to Tuesday 28 October 2025: Nahay Khay (25th), Kharna (26th), Sandhya Arghya (27th sunset), and Usha Arghya with paran (28th sunrise).

How should I time Sandhya and Usha Arghya in the ACT?

Use AEDT. Expect sunset around 7:35 PM on Oct 27 and sunrise around 5:55 AM on Oct 28. Verify your exact minute for your chosen foreshore and arrive early.

Which ghats are commonly used in Canberra, and what are the addresses?

Lake Burley Griffin (Yarralumla Bay—Alexandrina Dr; Weston Park—Weston Park Rd; Regatta Point—Barrine Dr; Henry Rolland Park—Barrine Dr; Commonwealth Park—Commonwealth Ave), plus Yerrabi Pond District Park (Gundaroo Dr), Lake Tuggeranong Town Park (Bartlett Pl), and John Knight Memorial Park on Lake Ginninderra (Aikman Dr).

Do we need permits for a group gathering on the foreshore?

For National Land sites (many Lake Burley Griffin shores), event approvals may be required from the NCA. For Territory land (e.g., Yerrabi Pond, Tuggeranong, Ginninderra), contact Access Canberra or the relevant directorate.

Are diyas allowed at all parks?

Rules vary by location and conditions. Use enclosed lamps or LED tealights where open flames are restricted. Keep sand/water handy and extinguish all flames before leaving.

What should the vrati prepare and pack?

Soop/daura, lota/kalash, diya and wicks, thekua and kheer ingredients, fruits, turmeric/kumkum, flowers, a clean dupatta, lanterns, and compostable bags. Label tins for “vrati,” “family,” and “distribution.”

What if water or wind conditions turn unsafe?

Shift a few metres inland and face the sun with a shallow water tray. Safety, timing, and intention matter more than exact placement at the water’s edge.

Conclusion with CTA

Chhath Puja Canberra 2025: Capital Territory Community Events is your practical plan for a serene, on-time celebration. With clear dates (Oct 25–28), Sandhya/Usha reference windows, lakefront ghats and addresses, step-by-step vidhi, transport tips, and safety guidance, your vrati can focus on devotion while the family handles logistics.

Save this guide, verify your exact foreshore and sun times, and confirm any event approvals early. Share it with your family WhatsApp group, assign volunteer roles, and prep thekua the day before. Which ghat will your family choose this year—Yarralumla Bay, Regatta Point, Yerrabi Pond, or Lake Tuggeranong Town Park?