Chhath Puja Winnipeg 2025: Manitoba Indian Community Events. Oct 25–28 dates, Sandhya/Usha timings, Winnipeg ghats with addresses, vidhi, safety, transit, permits.

Chhath Puja Winnipeg 2025: Manitoba Indian Community Events Guide

Chhath Puja Winnipeg 2025: Manitoba Indian Community Events brings you a complete, practical plan for a serene four-day vrat across the Red and Assiniboine city. For the Winnipeg Indian diaspora, the key to a calm Chhath is timing, safe site selection, and cold-weather prep. This guide covers national dates (Oct 25–28), Winnipeg’s Sandhya and Usha reference windows, a step-by-step vidhi, and a city directory of calm “ghats” with addresses—plus permits, transit, volunteer runbooks, and eco-cleanup.

In late October, sunset arrives early and sunrise is close to or after 8:00 AM in Winnipeg. That’s good news for families with school runs and work. Use the reference windows below, verify your exact minute for the park you choose, and give yourself a 45–60 minute buffer. With a compact thali, enclosed lamps, and a marked dry line, your vrati can focus on devotion while everyone else handles logistics.

Table of Contents

• 2025 Chhath Puja dates and Winnipeg time zone (CDT)
• Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Winnipeg
• How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes
• Winnipeg ghats and calm 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
• Transit, parking, and accessibility (Winnipeg Transit)
• Suburb-wise itineraries to reach on time
• Volunteer lane-flow and on-the-day runbook
• Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
• Case studies from Winnipeg families
• Key statistics and authoritative sources
• Internal and external resources

2025 Chhath Puja dates and Winnipeg time zone (CDT)

Winnipeg observes Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) 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/community WhatsApp group the day before each offering. That single step prevents last-minute confusion and keeps everyone calm.

Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Winnipeg

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

• Sandhya Arghya (Mon, Oct 27): around 6:00–6:15 PM CDT
• Usha Arghya (Tue, Oct 28): around 8:00–8:15 AM CDT

How to use this

• Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset and 30–45 minutes before sunrise.
• Nominate a timekeeper to cue silence at T–10 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 in your group chat.

Featured quick answer (for flyers)

• Sandhya (Oct 27): ~6:08 PM (arrive by 5:20 PM)
• Usha (Oct 28): ~8:07 AM (arrive by 7:25 AM)
• Verify exact minute: weather.gc.ca or timeanddate (Winnipeg page)

Sources for sun times

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

How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes

1. Open a sun-time source

• weather.gc.ca or timeanddate (Winnipeg).

2. Choose your exact park/suburb

• If the park isn’t listed, use “Winnipeg” and confirm on-site 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.
• Set phone alarms: T–40 (assemble soops), T–10 (quiet), T–0 (pour).

5. Re-check on the day

• Double-check 2–3 hours before in case of advisories or visibility notes.

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 more than standing at the edge.

Winnipeg ghats and calm water venues with addresses

Choose ponds, lagoons, and protected inlets over active riverbanks. Always confirm assembly points and by-laws with organisers and the City of Winnipeg. Use enclosed lamps or LED tealights where open flames are restricted.

Downtown & The Forks

• The Forks (riverwalk and lawn pockets) — 1 Forks Market Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4L9
  Central, accessible; choose stable, shallow spots away from slick edges. Parking fills fast.

South Winnipeg (St. Vital, Fort Garry, St. Norbert)

• St. Vital Park — 190 River Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2M 5C4
  Broad lawns and river views; pick gentle shelves and mark a wide dry line.
• Crescent Drive Park — 781 Crescent Dr, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1X3
  Calm river bends and lawns; use enclosed lamps and avoid steep banks.
• Kings Park (pond area) — 198 Kings Dr, Winnipeg, MB R3T 3G1
  Popular pond and pagoda; elder-friendly paths and clear space for lanes.
• Henteleff Park — 1964 St. Mary’s Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2N 4G8
  Scenic river park; choose inland pockets if banks are slick or damp.

West & Southwest (Assiniboine, Tuxedo, Charleswood)

• Assiniboine Park (duck pond area) — 2355 Corydon Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N6
  Iconic, accessible; pond edges are usually safer than riverbanks.
• Omand’s Creek Park (by the footbridge) — near 475 Raglan Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2S6
  Select calm pockets and stable footing; avoid narrow paths for lanes.

North & Northeast (Kildonan, Garden City, East Kildonan, Transcona)

• Kildonan Park — 2015 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R2V 2B9
  Lakes and lawns; pick firm edges and mark a dry line.
• Harbour View Recreation Complex (Kilcona Park) — 1867 Springfield Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2E 0A1
  Popular lakeside setting; boardwalks and open lawns help lane layout.
• Whittier Park (St. Boniface) — 836 Rue St Joseph, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0G1
  Calm river viewpoints; stay inland on lawns and avoid steep riverbanks.

Additional options (verify local conditions)

• St. Norbert Provincial Heritage Park — 40 Turnbull Dr, Winnipeg, MB R3V 1X2
• Maple Grove Park (near boat launch lawns) — Frobisher Rd, Winnipeg, MB R2N 3M7

Key site-selection notes

• Prioritise ponds/lagoons and calm inlets; avoid busy riverstones and rapid currents.
• Mark a “dry line” 1–2 metres back; only vratis step briefly to the front.
• 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 information

• City of Winnipeg — Parks & Open Space: https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parksandrecreation/parks
• Plan an event in a park (start here; confirm with the City): https://www.winnipeg.ca/

Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)

Chhath centres on purity, timing, and gratitude to Surya Dev and Usha Maiya. Keep the 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 the entire 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.
• From this point, the vrati observes a nirjala fast until Usha Arghya.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya — Monday, Oct 27

• Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset; set soop/daura, enclosed lamps, and lota/kalash.
• As the sun nears the horizon, vrati faces the water and offers arghya (water with a few drops of milk/flowers), chanting Chhath geet.
• Maintain single-direction flow back to the dry zone; keep aisles clear.

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 strict 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 (thekua, fruits, turmeric, flowers).
• 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 (Winnipeg 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 City of Winnipeg early to confirm requirements.
• Carry approvals on-site and follow park staff directions.
• Respect noise limits and quiet hours, especially for Usha Arghya.

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.

Transit, parking, and accessibility (Winnipeg Transit)

Public transit

• Winnipeg Transit trip planning — https://winnipegtransit.com/
• Many parks are bus-accessible; check schedules for evening service and pre-dawn frequency.

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 (The Forks, Assiniboine Park pond, Kings Park).
• Ask the City about accessible toilets and nearest disabled bays.
• Provide elder seating behind the dry line and assign a helper.

Cycling and walking

• Multi-use paths connect central parks; use reflectors and small LEDs for pre-dawn rides/walks.

Suburb-wise itineraries to reach on time

Downtown / Exchange / St. Boniface

• Suggested ghats: The Forks; Whittier Park (inland lawns).
• Depart: 50–60 minutes before sunset; Caution on slick riverwalk areas.
• Setup: Compact thali; two quick photos; calm exit.

St. Vital / St. Norbert / River Park South

• Suggested ghats: St. Vital Park; Kings Park; Crescent Drive Park.
• Depart: 60 minutes early; bring elder seating and hand warmers.
• Setup: Enclosed lamps; mark lanes wide.

Fort Garry / Linden Woods / Whyte Ridge

• Suggested ghats: Kings Park (pond), Crescent Drive Park.
• Depart: 60 minutes early; choose paved approaches for wheelchairs.
• Setup: LED lanterns pre-dawn; label prasad tins.

Tuxedo / River Heights / Charleswood

• Suggested ghats: Assiniboine Park (duck pond), Omand’s Creek.
• Depart: 60 minutes early; pond edges beat river stones.
• Setup: Set a clear dry line; guide elders first.

North End / Garden City / West Kildonan

• Suggested ghats: Kildonan Park; The Forks (central meet).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; park lots can fill fast.
• Setup: Keep kids behind the dry line; assign lane marshals.

Transcona / East Kildonan / North Kildonan

• Suggested ghats: Harbour View (Kilcona Park).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; boardwalks ease movement.
• Setup: Wind shields for lamps; two-lane format for medium groups.

St. James / Polo Park / West End

• Suggested ghats: Assiniboine Park pond; The Forks (if central).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; consider rideshare to avoid parking stress.
• Setup: Compact thali; LED tealights if breezy.

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 Winnipeg families

The Forks, central convenience

• A small group posted the exact minute 24 hours ahead. They picked a calm lawn pocket, marked one lane, and used enclosed lamps. Arghya matched the minute. Cleanup took 10 minutes, and elders stayed warm with shawls and hand warmers.

St. Vital Park, elder-first setup

• Families placed folding stools behind the dry line and pre-labelled tins “vrati/family/distribution.” Usha Arghya finished at 8:06 AM, and paran began by 8:25 AM near the parking loop.

Assiniboine Park, pond-first approach

• Volunteers chose the duck pond over river stones, ran two lanes with cones, and gave a single “now” cue. Result: safe footing, synchronized offerings, and a calm exit.

Harbour View (Kilcona Park), wind-aware plan

• The team used boardwalk access and enclosed lamps. With a compact thali rule and a short runbook, they wrapped the offering on time, thanked park staff, and posted a leave-no-trace video for the community.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

• Hinduism is a growing faith in Canada (2021 Census), supporting vibrant diaspora 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/
  Lifesaving Society Manitoba — https://lifesaving.mb.ca/
• 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; contact the City of Winnipeg to confirm park use and any approvals.
  City of Winnipeg — https://www.winnipeg.ca/
  Parks & Open Space — https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parksandrecreation/parks

These references back the timing, safety, and compliance guidance in this guide.

Related internal guides

• BAJCCA Chhath Puja 2025: Bihar Jharkhand Association Canada Events Guide
• Chhath Puja Mississauga 2025: Ram Mandir Festival Events Guide
• Chhath Puja Montreal 2025: Quebec Indian Community Celebrations Guide
• Chhath Puja Calgary 2025: Alberta Festival Celebrations & Events Guide
• 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 – Winnipeg sun times — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/winnipeg
• Lifesaving Society Canada — https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/
• Lifesaving Society Manitoba — https://lifesaving.mb.ca/
• City of Winnipeg — https://www.winnipeg.ca/
• Winnipeg Transit — https://winnipegtransit.com/

FAQ section

Conclusion with CTA

Chhath Puja Winnipeg 2025: Manitoba Indian Community Events is your calm, on-time blueprint for the four-day vrat. With dates set (Oct 25–28), Sandhya/Usha reference windows, a city directory of safe venues with addresses, a clear vidhi, and strong safety and permit guidance, your vrati can 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.
• Share this guide in your Winnipeg community group and invite one more family to co-host the cleanup.

May Surya Dev and Usha Maiya bless every Winnipeg home with health, harmony, and light. Which ghat will your family choose—The Forks, Kings Park, Harbour View, or St. Vital Park?