Chhath Puja Montreal 2025: Dates Oct 25–28, Sandhya/Usha timings, Montreal ghats with addresses, full vidhi, safety, permits, STM transit, and volunteer toolkit.

Chhath Puja Montreal 2025: Quebec Indian Community Celebrations Guide

Chhath Puja Montreal 2025: Quebec Indian Community Celebrations brings together everything the Montreal Indian diaspora needs for a serene, on‑time, and safe four‑day vrat. You’ll find the national dates (Oct 25–28), Montreal’s Sandhya and Usha reference windows, a complete step‑by‑step vidhi, and a curated list of popular “ghats” (parks and waterfronts) with addresses across the island. You’ll also get water/fire safety, cold‑weather prep, municipal permit pointers, STM transit and parking tips, volunteer lane‑flow, and ready‑to‑use checklists so your vrati can focus on devotion while the family handles logistics.

Important: Montreal’s St. Lawrence and Rivière des Prairies have strong currents and uneven edges. Choose ponds, lagoons, and calm inlets first. Keep offerings shallow and land‑based behind a marked dry line. Safety is dharma.

Table of Contents

• 2025 dates and Montreal time zone notes (EDT)
• Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Montreal
• How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes
• Montreal “ghats” and water venues with addresses
• Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)
• Vrati samagri, prasad, and cold‑weather setup
• Safety, permits, and eco‑friendly practices
• STM transit, parking, and accessibility
• Suburb‑wise itineraries to reach on time
• Volunteer lane‑flow and on‑the‑day runbook
• Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
• Case studies from Montreal families
• Key statistics and authoritative sources
• Internal and external resources

2025 dates and Montreal time zone notes (EDT)

Montreal observes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) through October 2025. DST ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025—after Chhath.

• Nahay Khay (Day 1): Saturday, October 25, 2025
• Kharna (Day 2): Sunday, October 26, 2025
• Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Monday, October 27, 2025 — evening offering at local sunset
• Usha Arghya & paran (Day 4): Tuesday, October 28, 2025 — morning offering at local sunrise, then break the fast

Post the exact sunset/sunrise minute for your chosen park in your family/association group the day before each offering. It removes guesswork and keeps everyone calm.

Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Montreal

Use these as planning references and verify exact minutes for your selected park on the day.

• Sandhya Arghya (Mon, Oct 27): around 5:50–6:05 PM EDT
• Usha Arghya (Tue, Oct 28): around 7:20–7:35 AM EDT

How to use this

• Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset and 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
• Nominate a timekeeper to cue quiet at T–10 minutes and a clear “now” at T–0.
• Verify your park’s exact minute via Environment Canada or timeanddate, then print it on a small card and share to your WhatsApp group.

Featured quick answer (for flyers)

• Sandhya (Oct 27): ~6:00 PM (arrive by 5:15 PM)
• Usha (Oct 28): ~7:28 AM (arrive by 6:45 AM)
• Verify exact minute: weather.gc.ca or timeanddate

Sources for sun times

• Government of Canada Weather — https://weather.gc.ca/
• timeanddate (Montreal) — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/montreal

How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes

1. Open a sun‑time source

• weather.gc.ca or timeanddate (Montreal page).

2. Choose your exact park/suburb

• If the park isn’t listed, use “Montréal” and confirm onsite with your timekeeper.

3. Select dates

• Sunset for Monday, Oct 27, 2025 (Sandhya).
• Sunrise for Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025 (Usha).

4. Share and set alarms

• Post the minute to your event page and WhatsApp group.
• Set phone alarms: T–40 (assemble soops), T–10 (quiet), T–0 (pour).

5. Re‑check on the day

• Quick double‑check 2–3 hours before the event in case of advisories.

If a water edge is slick, icy, or closed, step a few metres inland and offer arghya facing the sun using a shallow tray/kalash. Safety, timing, and devotion matter most.

Montreal “ghats” and water venues with addresses

Choose calm ponds, lagoons, and protected inlets over riverbanks. Always confirm assembly points and by‑laws with organisers and the City of Montreal (boroughs). Use enclosed lamps or LED tealights where open flames are restricted.

LaSalle / Lachine / Verdun (St. Lawrence riverfront and protected foreshore)

• Parc des Rapides — 7770 Boulevard LaSalle, LaSalle, QC H8P 1X6
  Iconic views; stay well inland due to rapids. Mark wide dry lines.
• Parc René‑Lévesque (Lachine) — 1 Chemin du Canal, Lachine, QC H8S 4L3
  Long foreshore with gentle pockets; wind‑prone—use enclosed lamps.
• Parc de Dieppe (Habitat 67) — 2000 Avenue Pierre‑Dupuy, Montréal, QC H3C 3R5
  Central skyline views; select a lawn pocket inland.
• Parc Arthur‑Therrien (Verdun) — 3750 Boulevard Gaétan‑Laberge, Verdun, QC H4G 1Z5
  Large riverfront park; pick firm, shallow approaches and mark dry lines.

Central / Plateau / Mount Royal

• Parc du Mont‑Royal (Beaver Lake / Lac aux Castors) — 2000 Chemin Remembrance, Montréal, QC H3H 1A2
  Calm pond and paved approaches; elder‑friendly. Check park hours.
• Parc Jarry (Pond) — 285 Rue Gary‑Carter, Montréal, QC H2R 2W1
  Family‑friendly; compact thali setup for quick cleanup.
• Parc Lafontaine (Ponds) — 3819 Avenue Calixa‑Lavallée, Montréal, QC H2L 3A7
  Central, scenic; choose stable edges and keep lamps enclosed.

Downtown / Parc Jean‑Drapeau

• Parc Jean‑Drapeau — 1 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montréal, QC H3C 1A9
  Use designated lawns around water features; check event permissions.
• Quai de l’Horloge (Old Port, lawn pockets nearby) — 1 Rue Quai de l’Horloge, Montréal, QC H2L 5C1
  Strong river; stay on lawns/promenade pockets inland.

West Island / Pierrefonds–Roxboro

• Parc‑nature du Cap‑Saint‑Jacques — 20099 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Pierrefonds, QC H9K 1C6
  Lac des Deux‑Montagnes foreshore; choose gentle shelves; check hours.
• Parc‑nature de l’Île‑de‑la‑Visitation — 2425 Boulevard Gouin Est, Montréal, QC H2B 1X7
  Calm river views; remain inland with marked dry lines.
• Bois‑de‑l’Île‑Bizard (Nature Park) — 2115 Boulevard Chevremont, L’Île‑Bizard, QC H9C 3R1
  Natural edges; pick stable, shallow nooks; verify access and daylight limits.

Southwest / Canal corridor

• Parc St‑Gabriel / Lachine Canal banks (lawn pockets) — around 2330 Rue Notre‑Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H3J 1N5
  Canal edges can be calmer than riverbanks; choose paved entries.

Key site‑selection notes

• Prioritise ponds, lagoons, and calm inlets.
• Mark a “dry line” 1–2 metres from the edge; only vratis step briefly forward.
• Many parks limit open flames; use enclosed lamps/LED tealights and carry sand/water.
• Leave no trace: pack out flowers, fruit, and prasad crumbs.

City info

• Ville de Montréal (Organize a public event) — https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/organize-public-event
• Parks, rules, and hours — https://montreal.ca/

Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)

Chhath is about purity, timing, and gratitude to Surya Dev and Usha Maiya. Keep your setup minimal, safe, and focused—especially in public parks.

Day 1: Nahay Khay — Saturday, Oct 25

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

Day 2: Kharna — Sunday, Oct 26

• Vrati fasts all day without water.
• After sunset, prepare kheer (gur/sugar), ghee‑roasted roti, and fruits.
• Offer to the deity, distribute prasad, and vrati eats once.
• From here, vrati observes a nirjala fast until Usha Arghya.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — Monday, Oct 27

• Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset.
• Arrange soop/daura with 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 lane flow back to the dry zone.

Day 4: Usha Arghya & paran — Tuesday, Oct 28

• Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
• Offer arghya at the verified sunrise minute; perform kosi (where observed) with enclosed lamps and fire safety.
• Touch elders’ feet; vrati breaks the fast (paran) after prayers.

Featured Snippet: 9‑step arghya offering checklist

• Place a deity image; set the soop/daura with prasad.
• Fill lota/kalash with clean water; add flowers or a few drops of milk.
• Stand at a shallow, stable edge (or behind a marked dry line).
• Light enclosed lamps or LED tealights; keep sand/water within arm’s reach.
• At sunset/sunrise, pour arghya slowly while chanting Chhath geet.
• Offer thekua, fruits, and flowers with devotion.
• Hold a brief silence; complete personal prayers.
• Step back safely; elders exit first; keep lanes clear.
• Extinguish all lamps; pack out every item and any litter.

Vrati samagri, prasad, and cold‑weather setup

Samagri essentials

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

Cold‑weather kit (Montreal late October)

• Layered clothing, shawls, gloves, beanies for pre‑dawn chill.
• Hand warmers and non‑slip, waterproof footwear.
• Thermos with warm water for elders and non‑fasters.
• Rain ponchos and a ground sheet if lawns are damp.
• LED lanterns/headlamps with spare batteries.

Prasad packing tips

• Cool thekua fully before sealing so it stays crisp.
• Use lidded, reusable tins labelled “vrati,” “family,” “distribution.”
• Carry a small board/knife for fruit; repack peels for home compost/disposal.

Safety, permits, and eco‑friendly practices

Water safety

• Choose shallow, firm footing; avoid algae, slick leaves, and sudden drop‑offs.
• Mark a “dry line” 1–2 metres back; only vratis step briefly to the front.
• Assign Lane Marshals; children remain with adults.
• In emergencies, call 911 and provide the park name and nearest street.

Fire and lamp safety

• Prefer enclosed lamps or wind‑shielded diyas; many parks restrict open flames.
• Keep sand/water within arm’s reach; extinguish every flame.
• Switch to LED tealights if winds are strong or flames are restricted.

Permits and by‑laws

• For large events (sound, lighting, tents, 50+ attendees), contact the relevant borough and, where applicable, the Société du parc Jean‑Drapeau. Apply early and carry approvals on‑site.
• Ville de Montréal — Organize a public event: https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/organize-public-event

Eco‑friendly Chhath

• Use leaf bowls/biodegradable plates; avoid plastic garlands and glitter.
• Never leave offerings in water; pack out flowers, fruit, and crumbs.
• Segregate organic waste and recyclables; leave the site spotless.

Contrarian but wise

• Ponds and lagoons usually offer safer footing than active riverbanks; choose pond edges first.
• If footing is unsafe, move slightly inland and offer facing the sun with a shallow tray.

STM transit, parking, and accessibility

Public transit (STM)

• Plan with STM: https://www.stm.info/
• Orange/Blue/Green lines connect centrally (e.g., Jarry, Beaubien, Mont‑Royal, Berri‑UQAM) with bus links to parks.
• Buses serve LaSalle/Lachine (e.g., 58/110), Parc Jarry (Jarry/Parc), Mount Royal (11/711), and West Island nature parks (transfer needed).

Driving and parking

• Popular parks fill near sunset; plan a vrati drop‑off, then park a few streets away.
• Bring lanterns for pre‑dawn paths; keep light levels low and respectful.

Accessibility

• Prefer paved entries and even gradients (Beaver Lake, Parc Jarry, Lakefront pockets at Parc Jean‑Drapeau).
• Ask boroughs about accessible toilets and nearest disabled bays.
• Provide elder seating behind the dry line and assign a helper.

Cycling and walking

• Many central parks are multi‑use; share paths courteously.
• Use reflectors or small LED lights in pre‑dawn hours.

Suburb‑wise itineraries to reach on time

LaSalle / Verdun / Lachine

• Suggested ghats: Parc des Rapides, Parc René‑Lévesque, Parc Arthur‑Therrien.
• Depart: 60 minutes before sunset; winds along the river can be brisk.
• Setup: Enclosed lamps, wide dry line; keep kids on lawns.

Plateau / Mile End / Rosemont

• Suggested ghats: Parc Lafontaine (ponds), Parc du Mont‑Royal (Beaver Lake).
• Depart: 45–60 minutes early; these are walkable/bikeable from many streets.
• Setup: Compact thali; two quick photos after the offering.

Outremont / Côte‑des‑Neiges / Westmount / NDG

• Suggested ghats: Beaver Lake, Parc Jarry (pond).
• Depart: 45–60 minutes early; bundle for chill.
• Setup: Elder seating; LED lanterns; label prasad tins.

Downtown / Griffintown / Old Montreal

• Suggested ghats: Parc de Dieppe, Parc Jean‑Drapeau (designated lawns).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; check event rules on the islands.
• Setup: Inland lawn pockets only; avoid strong river edges.

Saint‑Laurent / Villeray / Ahuntsic

• Suggested ghats: Parc Jarry (pond), Parc‑nature de l’Île‑de‑la‑Visitation.
• Depart: 60 minutes before sunset; watch for slick leaves.
• Setup: Mark lanes and dry line with small cones or tape.

West Island (Pierrefonds, DDO, Kirkland)

• Suggested ghats: Cap‑Saint‑Jacques, Île‑Bizard Nature Park (accessible pockets).
• Depart: 60–75 minutes early; driving is easiest.
• Setup: Pick a sheltered pocket; enclosed lamps handle wind.

Buffer rule

• Families: arrive 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 lane‑flow and on‑the‑day runbook

Core roles

• Convenor: overall timing and final decisions.
• Timekeeper: posts verified minute; runs T–10 quiet and T–0 pour cues.
• Lane Marshals: mark lanes, hold dry lines, manage flow.
• Fire Wardens: enclosed lamps, sand/water, ember checks.
• First Aid: bandages, saline wipes; hydration for non‑fasters.
• Waste Leads: compostable bags; final sweep and leave‑no‑trace.

Sandhya runbook (example)

• T–90: Mark lanes/exits; test lanterns; verify footing.
• T–60: Families arrive; soops arranged; diya setup (enclosed).
• T–10: Quiet cue; lotas ready; phones on silent.
• T–0: Single “now” pour; lane‑by‑lane sequence.
• T+15: Controlled exit; ember check; final sweep.

Usha runbook (example)

• Pre‑dawn arrival; minimal sound; low light.
• Offer at verified sunrise minute.
• Guide to paran area; segregate waste; thank volunteers.

Signage pack (laminated A4/A3)

• “Arghya Lanes” • “Dry Line” • “Exit” • “First Aid” • “Volunteer Check‑in” • “Lost & Found”

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: Celebrate after the offering—away from the waterline and lanes.
• Drones: Use only where permitted and away from crowds and wildlife.

Case studies from Montreal families

Parc Jarry, pond‑first approach

• Three families arrived 50 minutes early and chose a firm pond edge near paved paths. With enclosed lamps and a T–10 quiet cue, the offering aligned to the exact minute. Cleanup took 10 minutes, and elders stayed comfortable.

Beaver Lake (Mount Royal), elder‑friendly setup

• A mixed‑age group reserved folding stools behind the dry line and kept thalis compact. LED tealights handled breeze around the lake. Usha Arghya wrapped at 7:30 AM, paran began at 7:50 AM.

Parc des Rapides, inland vantage

• The team selected a lawn pocket far from rapids, marked two lanes with cones, and used a single “now” cue to synchronize arghya. Result: safe footing, serene focus, and clean exit.

Parc René‑Lévesque, wind‑aware strategy

• Volunteers placed wind shields and pre‑lit enclosed lamps. With a short runbook and labelled tins (“vrati,” “family,” “distribution”), prasad sharing was smooth—even with gusts.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

• Hinduism is a growing faith in Canada (2021 Census), supporting vibrant diaspora festivals.
  Source: Statistics Canada — https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• South Asians are Canada’s largest visible minority group (2021), reflecting broad cultural participation in festivals like Chhath.
  Source: Statistics Canada — https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• Drowning risk in natural waters underscores careful site selection and dry‑line management at waterfront events.
  Source: Lifesaving Society Canada — https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/
• Sun times and weather verification are essential for exact arghya minutes.
  Sources: Government of Canada Weather — https://weather.gc.ca/ | timeanddate — https://www.timeanddate.com/
• Municipal by‑laws and event permits vary by borough; consult the Ville de Montréal for public events.
  Source: Ville de Montréal — https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/organize-public-event

These references support timing precision, safety, and compliance across Montreal parks.

Related internal guides

• BAJCCA Chhath Puja 2025: Bihar Jharkhand Association Canada Events Guide
• Chhath Puja Dates 2025 Canada: Oct 25–28 Schedule & Puja Timings
• Chhath Puja Calgary 2025: Alberta Festival Celebrations & Events Guide
• Chhath Puja Toronto 2025: Hindu Heritage Centre Events & Timing
• Chhath Puja Vancouver 2025: BC Festival Celebrations & Community Events

Authoritative external links

• Statistics Canada — https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• Government of Canada Weather — https://weather.gc.ca/
• timeanddate – Montreal sun times — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/montreal
• Lifesaving Society Canada — https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/
• Ville de Montréal — https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/organize-public-event
• STM (plan a trip) — https://www.stm.info/

FAQ section

Conclusion with CTA

Chhath Puja Montreal 2025: Quebec Indian Community Celebrations is your practical blueprint for a calm, on‑time festival. With dates set (Oct 25–28), Sandhya/Usha reference windows, verified park options with addresses, a clear vidhi, safety and permit guidance, STM tips, and a volunteer runbook, you can keep the vrati’s focus on devotion while your team handles logistics with ease.

Next steps:

• Verify your park’s exact sunset/sunrise minute and publish your lane map.
• Post your family or community RSVP and volunteer sign‑up this week.
• Pack enclosed lamps, sand buckets, eco bags, warm layers—and prep thekua a day ahead.

May Surya Dev and Usha Maiya bless every Montreal home with health, harmony, and light. Which ghat will your family choose—Beaver Lake, Parc Jarry, Parc des Rapides, or Parc René‑Lévesque?