Chhath Puja UK Temples 2025: dates Oct 25–28, BST→GMT tips, Sandhya/Usha timings, mandir programs, safe ghats, permits, travel, and volunteer toolkits.

Chhath Puja UK Temples 2025 – Hindu Mandir Celebrations Guide

The clock change lands in the middle of Chhath this year—don’t let it trip your muhurat. Chhath Puja UK Temples 2025 – Hindu Mandir Celebrations is your one-stop guide to blend temple darshan, bhajan satsang, and prasad with correctly timed Sandhya (evening) and Usha (morning) arghya. You’ll get the exact four-day schedule, BST→GMT guidance, UK-wide timing references, a mandir + ghat planning framework, safe waterfront suggestions, permits, travel links, and volunteer runbooks. Use it to keep the vrati’s focus on devotion while your team handles timing, flow, and safety.

Table of Contents

• 2025 Chhath dates (UK) and the BST→GMT clock change
• Sandhya & Usha timing references across the UK (verify locally)
• How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes
• What UK temples can offer for Chhath (and what belongs at the ghat)
• UK temple directory (selected) and how to coordinate
• Safe “ghat” ideas by city: lakes, canals, and parks
• Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)
• Vrati checklist, prasad planning, and cold-weather setup
• Safety, permits, and eco practices (councils, Canal & River Trust)
• Travel and parking for mandirs and ghats (TfL, TfGM, TfWM, etc.)
• Event formats: temple-first or ghat-first (sample itineraries)
• Volunteer roles and on-the-day runbook
• Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
• Case studies from UK community groups
• Key statistics and authoritative sources
• Internal and external resources

2025 Chhath dates (UK) and the BST→GMT clock change

Chhath is a four-day vrat anchored to sunrise and sunset. The UK shifts clocks during the festival this year.

• Nahay Khay (Day 1): Saturday, 25 October 2025 (BST)
• Kharna (Day 2): Sunday, 26 October 2025 (BST ends at 02:00 → clocks go back to 01:00 GMT)
• Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Monday, 27 October 2025 (GMT)
• Usha Arghya & Paran (Day 4): Tuesday, 28 October 2025 (GMT)

Why this matters:

• All muhurat planning for Sandhya (Oct 27) and Usha (Oct 28) should use GMT.
• Post the exact minute for your chosen spot to your group the day before each offering.

Sandhya & Usha timing references across the UK (verify locally)

Use these city/region windows to plan travel and volunteer shifts. Always verify your exact minute for the park/foreshore you choose via timeanddate or the Met Office on the day.

• London and South East: Sandhya ~16:45–16:55 GMT; Usha ~06:55–07:05 GMT
• West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton): Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:00–07:10
• East Midlands (Leicester, Nottingham, Derby): Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:00–07:10
• North West (Manchester, Liverpool): Sandhya ~16:50–17:00; Usha ~07:05–07:20
• Yorkshire & Humber (Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield): Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:05–07:20
• South West (Bristol): Sandhya ~16:50–17:00; Usha ~07:00–07:10
• Wales (Cardiff, Newport): Sandhya ~16:50–17:00; Usha ~07:00–07:15
• Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh): Sandhya ~16:40–16:55; Usha ~07:10–07:25
• Northern Ireland (Belfast): Sandhya ~16:50–17:00; Usha ~07:20–07:35

Planning buffers:

• Families: arrive 30–40 minutes early (Sandhya); 30–40 minutes early (Usha).
• Medium groups (30–80): 45–60 minutes early.
• Large gatherings (100+): 60–90 minutes early to mark lanes, brief volunteers, and cue silence.

How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes

1. Open a sun-time source

• timeanddate (choose your city/park) or Met Office sunrise/sunset.

2. Select location and dates

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

3. Share and set alarms

• Post the minute in your WhatsApp/Telegram group.
• Phone alarms: T–40 (assemble soops), T–10 (quiet), T–0 (pour cue).

4. Re-check on the day

• Verify 2–3 hours before in case of weather visibility updates.

If an edge is slick, muddy, or unsafe, step a few metres inland and offer arghya facing the sun with a shallow tray/kalash. Safety, timing, and intention come before scenery.

What UK temples can offer for Chhath (and what belongs at the ghat)

Chhath’s arghya is a water-edge rite, yet UK temples play a big supporting role.

What mandirs can host

• Bhajan/kirtan and Chhath geet satsang
• Pravachan/katha on Chhath’s significance (Surya Dev, Usha/Mahaparvati)
• Sankalp for vratis; aarti and blessings for families
• Prasad distribution (thekua, fruits) and charity/food drives
• Volunteer staging: lane marshals, first aid, waste teams
• Space for packing soops and samagri before heading to the ghat

What not to do inside the garbha griha or main halls

• No water-pouring arghya ritual inside temple sanctums or carpeted halls
• Avoid smoke-heavy diyas/incense indoors unless the mandir organises it
• Keep rolling flames minimal; use enclosed lamps/LED where advised

Best-of-both planning

• Temple-first plan: Darshan + bhajans in the afternoon → Sandhya arghya at a nearby lake/canal park → prasad at home.
• Ghat-first plan: Usha arghya at dawn → paran → mandir darshan and gratitude bhajans later in the morning.

UK temple directory (selected) and how to coordinate

Below are well-known mandirs that often support community celebration during Diwali week. Check each temple’s official channels for special Chhath-related satsang or darshan timings, and coordinate hall bookings or volunteer staging if required.

London and surroundings

• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple), London — baps.org (UK & Europe)
• Bhaktivedanta Manor (Watford), ISKCON — krishnatemple.com
• ISKCON-London (Soho St) — iskcon.london
• Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir (Ealing Road, Wembley) — search “Sanatan Wembley”
• Shree Ram Mandir/Local community temples across Southall, Harrow, Ilford, Woolwich — check local listings

Midlands

• Shree Geeta Bhawan (Birmingham) — search “Geeta Bhawan Birmingham”
• Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple (Tividale) — search “Balaji Temple Tividale”
• Temples in Leicester: BAPS Swaminarayan (Gipsy Lane), Shree Sanatan Mandir, ISKCON Leicester — see official pages

North

• Greater Manchester/Manchester city: Swaminarayan, ISKCON, and community mandirs — check local directories
• Leeds/Bradford: Hindu Temple Leeds, Bradford Hindu Council listings — check official pages
• Liverpool: Hindu Cultural Organisation — check city listings

Scotland & Wales

• Hindu Mandir Glasgow — search “Hindu Temple Glasgow”
• Edinburgh Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre — search official site
• Cardiff Hindu Mandir — check local listings

Tips to coordinate with mandirs

• Ask about hall hire for bhajans before/after arghya.
• Share your lane map and clean-up plan if you are organising a group.
• Confirm rules for diyas/LED lights, food service, and closing hours during Diwali week.

Safe “ghat” ideas by city: lakes, canals, and parks

Choose calm ponds, ornamental lakes, broad canal lawns, or inland lawn pockets. Avoid narrow towpaths, steep riverbanks, or surf-facing edges.

London (West, North, East, South)

• West: Walpole Park lakes (Ealing), Northala Fields lakes (Northolt), Minet Country Park lake (Hayes), Osterley Park lakes (permission may be needed)
• North: Brent Reservoir viewpoints (Welsh Harp), Trent Park lakes (Enfield)
• East: Victoria Park lakes, Fairlop Waters
• South: Dulwich Park lake, Beckenham Place Park lake
• Canals: Grand Union/Regent’s Canal lawns—pick wide pockets; keep ceremonies compact; follow Canal & River Trust advice

Birmingham & West Midlands

• Edgbaston Reservoir (sheltered pockets), Cannon Hill Park lake, Sutton Park (lakes), Sandwell Valley Country Park

Leicester & East Midlands

• Watermead Country Park lakes, Abbey Park lake, Charnwood Water (Loughborough)

Manchester & North West

• Heaton Park lake, Sale Water Park (sheltered edges), Alexandra Park lake, Salford Quays (inland plazas only)

Leeds/Bradford & Yorkshire

• Roundhay Park (Waterloo Lake), Golden Acre Park lake, Lister Park lake (Bradford)

Glasgow & Edinburgh

• Glasgow: Victoria Park pond, Pollok Country Park (sheltered areas), Kelvingrove Park (lawn pockets; avoid river edge)
• Edinburgh: Inverleith Park pond, St Margaret’s Loch (Holyrood Park)

Cardiff & South Wales

• Roath Park Lake, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park (Penarth)

Always confirm:

• Open-flame rules (many parks require enclosed lamps/LED)
• Any permit or notification for large groups, amplified sound, or lighting
• Accessibility, lighting, and safe exits for pre-dawn Usha

Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)

Chhath emphasises purity, precision, and gratitude to Surya Dev and Usha Maiya. Keep the setup minimal, respectful, and safe.

Day 1: Nahay Khay (Sat, 25 Oct — BST)

• Clean the home and puja space; wash utensils separately
• Vrati bathes; prepares satvik food (pumpkin/rice/dal, no onion/garlic)
• Offer to the deity first; vrati begins a disciplined diet

Day 2: Kharna (Sun, 26 Oct — clock change overnight)

• Vrati fasts the whole day without water
• After sunset, prepare kheer (gur/sugar), ghee-roasted roti, fruits
• Offer to the deity, distribute prasad; vrati eats once and begins nirjala fast

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Mon, 27 Oct — GMT)

• Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset; set soops and enclosed lamps; fill lotas
• Offer arghya at the exact sunset minute; keep flow lane-by-lane; return to dry zone calmly

Day 4: Usha Arghya & Paran (Tue, 28 Oct — GMT)

• Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise; offer at first light
• Perform kosi (where observed) with strict fire safety
• Touch elders’ feet; vrati breaks the fast after prayers

Featured Snippet: 9-step arghya offering checklist

1. Place a deity image; set the soop/daura with thekua, fruits, turmeric, flowers
2. Fill lota/kalash with clean water; add flowers or a few drops of milk
3. Stand at a shallow, firm edge (or behind a marked dry line)
4. Light enclosed lamps or LED tealights; keep sand/water nearby
5. At sunset/sunrise, pour arghya slowly while chanting Chhath geet
6. Offer thekua, fruits, and flowers with devotion
7. Hold a brief silence; complete personal prayers
8. Step back safely; elders exit first; lanes stay clear
9. Extinguish all lamps; pack out every item and any litter

Vrati checklist, prasad planning, 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 sticks/pieces (if available), seasonal produce
• Clean dupatta/shawl for the vrati; spare cloth

Logistics and comfort

• Layered clothing, shawls, gloves, non-slip waterproof footwear
• Hand warmers; thermos with warm water for elders/non-fasters
• Rain ponchos; ground sheet if lawns are damp
• LED lanterns/headlamps with spare batteries
• Reusable tins for prasad; compostable bags for waste

Prasad packing tips

• Cool thekua fully before sealing so it stays crisp
• Label tins “vrati,” “family,” “distribution” for fast sharing
• Carry a small board/knife for fruit; repack peels for home composting

Safety, permits, and eco practices (councils, Canal & River Trust)

Water safety

• Choose shallow, firm footing; avoid algae, slick leaves, narrow towpaths, and steep banks
• 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 999 and give the park name and nearest road

Fire & 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

• Local councils may require event notifications/approvals for large groups, amplified sound, lighting, or marquees (Ealing, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff)
• Canal & River Trust oversees towpaths and canal-side spaces—seek guidance for organised gatherings
• Royal Parks and National Trust sites may need prior permissions—check site rules early

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

• Ornamental lakes and ponds usually offer safer footing than active river/canal edges
• If footing is risky, move inland and offer with a shallow tray—timing and intention are paramount

Travel and parking for mandirs and ghats

Journey planners (save these)

• Transport for London (TfL) — https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
• National Rail Enquiries — https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
• Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) — https://www.tfwm.org.uk/
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) — https://tfgm.com/
• Traveline (UK-wide bus/coach/rail) — https://www.traveline.info/
• Transport for Wales — https://tfw.wales/
• ScotRail — https://www.scotrail.co.uk/

Driving & parking

• Expect Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) and evening restrictions in cities
• 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; ask park managers about accessible toilets and disabled bays
• Provide elder seating behind the dry line and assign a helper

Event formats: temple-first or ghat-first (sample itineraries)

Temple-first (Sandhya day)

• 14:45–15:30: Mandir darshan + brief bhajans
• 15:30–16:00: Travel to pre-marked ghat (lanes and dry line ready)
• 16:00–16:40: Setup soops; enclosed lamps; quiet at T–10
• ~16:50: Sandhya arghya at exact minute; prasad; leave-no-trace sweep

Ghat-first (Usha day)

• 06:10: Arrive; lanes lit with low LEDs; quiet zone
• ~06:55–07:10: Usha arghya; prasad; paran after prayers
• 08:30–09:30: Optional mandir darshan and gratitude bhajans

Compact family plan (works in any city)

• Pack a travel-thali; label prasad tins; keep ceremony 20–25 minutes
• Two quick photos after the offering; no blocking lanes
• Share prasad with neighbours; thank volunteers/park staff

Volunteer roles 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 leave-no-trace sweep

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; no flash in eyes
• Music: Keep bhajans at family-friendly volumes; soften or pause in the final 5 minutes
• Dhol/taashe: Celebrate after arghya—away from waterline and lanes
• Drones: Use only where permitted; keep away from crowds and wildlife

Case studies from UK community groups

London pond-first strategy

• A West London group chose an ornamental lake rather than a canal edge. With enclosed lamps and a single “now” cue, Sandhya aligned to the exact minute. Clean-up took 12 minutes; elders stayed warm with shawls and hand warmers.

Birmingham reservoir pocket

• Volunteers set lanes in a sheltered corner of Edgbaston Reservoir. A compact thali policy and labelled prasad tins prevented crowding. Usha arghya finished on time; paran began at a nearby gazebo.

Leicester watermead lanes

• The team used cones to form two lanes along a gentle shelf at Watermead. They posted the exact minute a day early and ran T–10/T–0 cues. Result: synchronised offerings and a tidy exit.

Manchester city-park combo

• Families met at a city mandir for bhajans, then travelled 20 minutes to a calm park lake. With LED tealights and a short runbook, arghya matched the minute despite breeze.

Glasgow green approach

• A community cluster chose an inland lawn pocket with a shallow tray due to slick banks. The timekeeper used timeanddate for the minute and cued the pour. Safe footing, serene focus, and zero litter left behind.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

• Hindus in England and Wales: ~1.0 million (2021 Census), reflecting robust festival participation across UK cities
  Office for National Statistics (ONS) — https://www.ons.gov.uk/
• Drowning and water-safety context underscores caution at canals/rivers and lakes
  Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
• Sun times and UK clock change references for planning exact minutes
  timeanddate – London sun times — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london
  timeanddate – UK DST — https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/uk/london
• Park use and canal towpath guidance for events
  Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
  Your local council parks/events page (e.g., Ealing, Hounslow, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff)

Related internal guides

• Manchester Chhath Puja 2025 – North West Community Celebrations
• Southall Chhath Puja 2025: West London Bihar Community Events Guide
• Birmingham Chhath Puja 2025 – West Midlands Community Events
• When is Chhath Puja 2025 in UK – Dates, Times & Rituals
• Chhath Puja London 2025 – Events & Community Celebrations

Authoritative external links

• ONS – Census 2021 Religion — https://www.ons.gov.uk/
• timeanddate – Sun and DST tools — https://www.timeanddate.com/
• RLSS UK — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
• Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
• TfL Journey Planner — https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
• National Rail — https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
• Traveline (UK-wide) — https://www.traveline.info/

FAQ section

Conclusion with CTA

Chhath Puja UK Temples 2025 – Hindu Mandir Celebrations is your blueprint for a calm, on-time festival in a clock-change year. Blend mandir bhajans and blessings with precisely timed arghya at lakes, canals, or safe lawns. Mark a dry line, use enclosed lamps, and run T–10/T–0 cues so the vrati can focus on devotion while volunteers manage flow and safety.

Next steps:

• Verify your park’s exact sunset/sunrise minute and post it to your group today
• Print lane maps and signage (Arghya Lanes, Dry Line, Exit, First Aid)
• Pack enclosed lamps, sand/water, eco bags, warm layers—and prep thekua a day ahead
• Share this guide with your temple committee and invite one more family to co‑host the cleanup

May Surya Dev and Usha Maiya bless every UK home with health, harmony, and light.