Kharna Chhath UAE 2025 – Day 2 fasting & breaking rules: UAE sunset windows, exact Kharna vidhi, kheer–roti recipes, health/safety, apartment lamp rules, checklists.

Kharna Chhath UAE 2025: Day 2 Fasting & Breaking Rules Guide

Kharna is the quiet turn in Chhath—the disciplined day when the vrati (devotee) fasts, breaks the fast at sunset with sacred prasad, and then begins the nirjala (waterless) vow until Usha Arghya. For fasting devotees, ritual followers, and traditional observers in the Emirates, this Kharna Chhath UAE 2025 – Day 2 Fasting & Breaking Rules guide gives you exactly what you need: UAE-wide sunset windows for Sunday, 26 October 2025, a 3‑minute method to find your exact minute, a precise Kharna vidhi, kheer–roti recipes (with vegan and gluten‑free options), and UAE‑specific health, food safety, and apartment lamp rules.

You’ll also get day‑of timelines, checklists you can print, case studies from UAE homes, and answers to the most asked Kharna questions (water sips, diabetics, working vratis). Keep your kitchen satvik, your timing exact, your lamps safe—and your vow steady.

Table of Contents

• Kharna 2025 UAE: date, time zone, and DST (no change)
• City sunset windows for Sunday, 26 October (verify locally)
• The exact-minute method in 3 minutes
• What Kharna means: the spiritual logic of Day 2
• 10-step Kharna vidhi (featured checklist)
• Day-of timelines: classic home and workday versions
• Fasting rules and permitted adaptations (health‑first)
• Kheer–roti recipes: classic, vegan, gluten‑free, diabetic‑smart
• Food safety for kheer/rice (UAE guidance)
• Health, hydration, and medical considerations in the UAE
• Puja samagri and kitchen setup checklists
• Apartment living, smoke alarms, and diya safety (UAE rules)
• Cultural notes (Bihar/UP and diaspora variations)
• Common mistakes to avoid on Day 2
• UAE case studies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, RAK, Fujairah)
• Key statistics and authoritative UAE sources
• Internal and external resources

Kharna 2025 UAE: date, time zone, and DST (no change)

• Kharna (Day 2): Sunday, 26 October 2025 (UAE)

The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) year‑round. There is no daylight saving time. Your Kharna offering is aligned to local sunset in GST.

How to plan

• Confirm your city’s sunset for Sun 26 Oct.
• Post the exact minute in your family/mandir WhatsApp group the night before.
• Set alarms: T–40 (start setup), T–10 (quiet sankalp), T–0 (offer/break fast).

City sunset windows for Sunday, 26 October (verify locally)

Use these planning windows, then verify your exact minute for your suburb on the day via timeanddate or the UAE National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

• Dubai: ~5:42–5:46 PM GST
• Abu Dhabi: ~5:44–5:48 PM GST
• Sharjah & Ajman: ~5:41–5:45 PM GST
• Al Ain: ~5:43–5:46 PM GST
• Ras Al Khaimah (RAK): ~5:39–5:43 PM GST
• Fujairah: ~5:36–5:40 PM GST
• Umm Al Quwain (UAQ): ~5:40–5:44 PM GST

Planning buffers

• Families: 30–40 minutes before sunset.
• Medium groups: 45–60 minutes.
• Large gatherings: 60–90 minutes to stage, brief, and cue silence.

Sources for final minute

• timeanddate (city pages)
• UAE National Centre of Meteorology (NCM)

Note: Kharna is almost always performed at home. If you choose a building’s shared hall or a community room, confirm the venue’s open‑flame/LED lamp policy in advance.

The exact-minute method in 3 minutes

1. Open a sun‑time site

• timeanddate (choose your city/nearest park) or NCM sun times.

2. Select location and date

• Sunday, 26 October 2025; note the sunset minute.

3. Share and set alarms

• Post the minute to your group chat and note it on a card near your thali.
• Set alarms: T–40 (start setup), T–10 (quiet sankalp), T–0 (offer/break fast).

Re‑check 2–3 hours prior in case of any visibility or weather advisories.

If your balcony/yard edge is slick or windy, step a few metres inward and offer facing the sun with a shallow kalash/tray. Timing and intention come first.

What Kharna means: the spiritual logic of Day 2

Kharna transforms resolve into a sustained vow. The vrati fasts through the day, keeps the home and mind satvik, then breaks the fast at sunset with prasad—kheer (milk‑rice pudding) and ghee‑roti—offered to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. From this sacred meal onward, the vrati traditionally begins nirjala (no food or water) until Usha Arghya on Day 4.

Core ideas

• Satvik simplicity: pure ingredients and a calm environment.
• Exactness: precision at the sunset minute sharpens focus.
• Continuity: Kharna prasad bridges fasting to nirjala with gratitude.

Optional sankalp line

• “Chhathi Maiya, bless our home with health, clarity, and steady light.”

10-step Kharna vidhi (featured checklist)

1. Cleanse: Vrati bathes; kitchen and utensils are cleaned and kept separate.
2. Setup: Place deity image/kalash; light enclosed lamps/LED tealights; arrange flowers/fruits.
3. Kheer: Simmer rice in milk (or plant milk); sweeten with gur/sugar; cardamom optional.
4. Roti: Prepare 1–3 thin ghee‑brushed rotis (millet option if gluten‑free).
5. Thali: Plate kheer, roti, bananas/apples, and a pinch of sugar/gur.
6. Sankalp: At T–10, state your vow quietly; focus the mind.
7. Offer: At the exact sunset minute, offer prasad; brief aarti is optional.
8. Break: Vrati takes a small serving first; distribute prasad to family.
9. Begin nirjala: From now, the waterless vow begins (traditions and health needs vary).
10. Close: Extinguish lamps safely; cool/store leftovers correctly; keep a calm satvik space.

Direction tip: If possible, face west (sunset) during the offering. Keep the setup simple, steady, and smoke‑safe.

Day-of timelines: classic home and workday versions

Classic home flow (adjust to your city’s sunset)

• 11:30–13:00: Deep clean kitchen/utensils; soak rice; grate gur if using.
• 13:00–15:00: Prep ingredients; lay out puja samagri; check lamp safety.
• 15:00–16:00: Bathe; vrati changes; set up deity image/kalash.
• Sunset–90 to –60: Start kheer; simmer low for creaminess.
• Sunset–40 to –20: Knead/roll/roast ghee roti; plate fruits and prasad thali.
• T–10: Quiet sankalp; light lamp(s); ready lota/kalash.
• T–0: Offer; break the fast; share prasad; begin nirjala.
• T+30: Cool/store kheer safely; tidy; keep the home peaceful.

Workday compression plan

• Morning: Soak rice; pre‑measure milk/sugar/gur; lay out samagri and thali.
• Afternoon: Begin kheer early on low; knead dough; confirm sunset minute.
• Final 45 minutes: Finish roti; set prasad thali; T–10/T–0 cues; offer and eat small portions.
• Close: Clean up; store leftovers properly; start nirjala calmly.

Fasting rules and permitted adaptations (health‑first)

Traditional baseline (consult your family panchang)

• Vrati fasts through the day, usually without water, until Kharna prasad at sunset.
• Satvik conduct: avoid onion, garlic, non‑veg, and harsh speech; keep the space pure.
• Kitchen discipline: separate, clean utensils; minimal noise/distractions.

Permitted adaptations (compassion + medical sense)

• Sips of water or lime water for medical conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or elders—consult your doctor first.
• Diabetics: smaller portions, reduced sweetener, and monitoring; hydration exceptions may be advised by a clinician.
• If water is taken during the day, many families resume the nirjala vow after Kharna prasad; follow ghar ki parampara (house tradition) and health advice.

Post‑Kharna

• Traditionally, nirjala starts immediately and continues until Usha Arghya on Day 4.
• Some homes allow moistening lips or a gentle mouth rinse; be consistent with your tradition.

Kheer–roti recipes: classic, vegan, gluten‑free, diabetic‑smart

Classic rice kheer (serves 4–6)

• Ingredients: 1 L full‑fat milk, 60–80 g basmati rice (rinsed/soaked), 80–120 g grated gur or sugar, 4–5 cardamom pods, 1–2 tsp ghee (optional), pinch saffron (optional).
• Method:
  1. Simmer milk and rice on low, stirring often (35–45 minutes).
  2. Add gur/sugar; simmer 3–5 minutes more (add gur off the boil to reduce curdling).
  3. Add cardamom; rest 5–10 minutes; serve warm.

Ghee roti (4–6 rotis)

• Ingredients: 180–200 g atta (whole wheat), warm water, 1–2 tbsp ghee.
• Method: Knead soft dough; rest 15 minutes; roll thin; roast on tawa; brush lightly with ghee.

Vegan kheer

• Use full‑fat oat/almond milk; sweeten with sugar or vegan jaggery; add 1–2 tsp coconut cream for richness.
• Simmer gently; plant milks can split if overheated—keep to low heat.

Gluten‑free roti

• Kuttu (buckwheat) or jowar (sorghum) with a little mashed boiled potato for binding; roll between parchment; roast gently.
• Brush with warm ghee or neutral oil (per family rules).

Diabetic‑smart tweaks (consult your doctor)

• Reduce sweetener; smaller kheer portion; a few seeds/nuts for satiety if permitted.
• Monitor glucose; consider a dietitian’s fasting plan.

Allergen notes

• Milk allergy: choose plant milk; omit ghee; avoid cross‑contamination.
• Nut allergy: skip nuts; sanitize prep surfaces and tools.

Food safety for kheer/rice (UAE guidance)

Rice and milk need careful handling in warm climates and indoor AC environments.

• Chill quickly: Portion kheer into shallow containers and refrigerate as soon as steam subsides (within 1 hour). Fridge ≤5°C. Reheat only once.
• “2‑hour rule”: Perishables shouldn’t sit at room temp >2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Clean and separate: Wash hands, sanitize surfaces, and keep raw/ready‑to‑eat items apart.
• Watch the stove: Milk can boil over; keep a steady simmer and stir often.
• Fire‑safe lamps: Use enclosed lamps or LED tealights; keep away from curtains and paper décor; keep a small bowl of water/sand nearby.

Authoritative references

• Dubai Municipality – Food Safety Department (Foodwatch portal)
• Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)
• UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment – food safety advisories

Health, hydration, and medical considerations in the UAE

Nirjala is rigorous. Your health comes first—dharma honors wisdom and care.

Who should talk to a clinician before fasting

• People with diabetes, kidney disease, heart conditions, or eating disorders.
• Pregnant/breastfeeding women; elderly vratis; those on diuretics/BP meds.
• Adolescents and first‑time vratis with low BMI.

Practical safeguards

• Discuss individualized plans (including hydration exceptions) with your doctor (MOHAP/DHA/DOH providers).
• Avoid strenuous activity from Kharna evening through Usha Arghya dawn.
• Keep warm; rest; sit if light‑headed. If chest pain, confusion, or severe dizziness occurs, stop the fast, hydrate, and seek help.

Emergency numbers (UAE)

• Police: 999
• Ambulance: 998
• Civil Defense (fire): 997
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) portals: check provider hotlines

Puja samagri and kitchen setup checklists

Puja samagri

• Deity image/kalash, diya/wicks or LED tealights, matches/long lighter
• Flowers (marigold if available), incense (minimal; mind smoke detectors)
• Fruits (bananas, apples), kheer bowl, ghee roti, a pinch of sugar/gur

Kitchen & hygiene

• Clean, separate cookware; serving spoons; paper towels/cloths
• Food‑safe containers; compostable bags; labels for prasad tins (“vrati/family/distribution”)
• Dedicated “prasad zone” on the counter; keep raw items away

Comfort & timing

• Shawl/blanket for the vrati; non‑slip footwear
• Phone alarms (T–40, T–10, T–0); printed sunset minute card
• Sand/water bowl for lamp safety; LED lanterns for gentle light

Apartment living, smoke alarms, and diya safety (UAE rules)

• Balconies: Open flames on balconies are typically prohibited by building management and Civil Defense rules. Do Kharna indoors using enclosed lamps or LED tealights.
• Smoke detectors: Keep incense minimal; ventilate lightly after puja; avoid placing lamps under detectors.
• Fire safety: Assign one adult “fire warden” to supervise lamps. Keep away from curtains and children’s paths; never leave flames unattended.
• Community/temple halls: Confirm the venue’s lamp policy; many require LED only.

When in doubt, choose LED tealights—your devotion is in the intention and timing, not in the size of the flame.

Cultural notes (Bihar/UP and diaspora variations)

• Sweeteners: Gur (jaggery) is classic in many Bihari homes; sugar is common in diaspora kitchens—both are accepted.
• Roti style: Thin phulka brushed with ghee vs. light paratha—follow family custom.
• Prasad order: Many taste kheer first, then a roti morsel; quantities are symbolic.
• Rotis count: Often 1, 3, or 5 are prepared; the vrati eats minimally to ease nirjala.

Diaspora realities

• Shared kitchens or community rooms may require LED lamps and low‑smoke setups.
• If a mandir hosts bhajans on Day 2, perform Kharna at home at the sunset minute; attend satsang before/after if timings allow.

Common mistakes to avoid on Day 2

• Starting kheer too late—rushing ruins texture; simmer gently.
• Leaving kheer warm for hours—cool quickly and refrigerate.
• Missing the exact minute—post it the night before; set three alarms.
• Overeating at Kharna—keep it light to prepare for nirjala.
• Unattended flames—use enclosed lamps or LEDs; keep a safety bowl ready.

UAE case studies (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, RAK, Fujairah)

Dubai Marina, high‑rise apartment

• The family used LED tealights only (building rule), simmered kheer on induction, and finished rotis 25 minutes before sunset (~5:44 PM). With T–10/T–0 cues, the vrati broke the fast precisely; kheer was cooled in shallow tins within 45 minutes.

Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City villa

• Plenty of airflow allowed a single enclosed lamp. They posted the NCM sunset minute (~5:46 PM) and seated elders comfortably. A symbolic serving at T–0 led smoothly into nirjala.

Sharjah, Al Nahda apartment

• Two households split tasks: one handled kheer, the other rotis and fruit. LED lamps avoided detector triggers; a printed “sunset minute” card kept timing on track.

Al Ain, ground‑floor home

• Benches and shawls were placed behind the puja zone. With warm ghee on rotis and reduced sugar for a diabetic vrati, the ritual stayed exact and health‑wise.

RAK, family villa

• A windy yard pushed them indoors; they faced west with a shallow tray and ran the offering at ~5:41 PM. Cleanup finished in 20 minutes; no food waste.

Fujairah, coastal apartment

• Sea breeze meant LED tealights only. A compact thali and a single “now” cue synced the offering around ~5:38 PM and kept the home calm.

Key statistics and authoritative UAE sources

• UAE population is highly multicultural, with significant South Asian communities that celebrate festivals like Chhath with devotion and care.
  UAE Government Portal — https://u.ae/
• Food safety and household hygiene (Dubai & Abu Dhabi).
  Dubai Municipality – Food Safety (Foodwatch) — https://www.dm.gov.ae/
  Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) — https://www.adafsa.gov.ae/
• Sun times and weather.
  National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) — https://www.ncm.ae/
  timeanddate – UAE cities — https://www.timeanddate.com/
• Health information and providers.
  Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) — https://mohap.gov.ae/
  Dubai Health Authority (DHA) — https://www.dha.gov.ae/
  Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) — https://www.doh.gov.ae/
• Emergency services.
  Police 999, Ambulance 998, Civil Defense 997 (nationwide)

These sources help you verify timing and keep Day 2 safe and satvik.

Related internal guides

• When is Chhath Puja 2025 in UAE – Dates, Times & Rituals
• Chhath Puja 2025 Abu Dhabi – Bihar Samaj UAE Events Guide
• Chhath Puja 2025 UAE – Complete Festival Guide, Dates & Community Celebrations
• Chhath Puja 2025 Dubai – Al Mamzar Beach Celebrations
• Dhanteras Puja Muhurat 2025 UAE – Dubai & Abu Dhabi Celebrations Guide

Authoritative external links

• UAE Government Portal — https://u.ae/
• Dubai Municipality — https://www.dm.gov.ae/
• ADAFSA — https://www.adafsa.gov.ae/
• NCM — https://www.ncm.ae/
• timeanddate — https://www.timeanddate.com/
• MOHAP — https://mohap.gov.ae/
• DHA — https://www.dha.gov.ae/
• DOH — https://www.doh.gov.ae/

FAQ section

Conclusion with CTA

Kharna Chhath UAE 2025 is your moment of focus—discipline forged into vow at the sunset minute. With UAE’s steady GST and clear sunset windows, your best plan is simple: verify your city’s minute, simmer kheer without rush, brush rotis with warmth, keep lamps safe (LED if needed), and keep the break symbolic. From that moment, carry the nirjala vow with clarity, compassion, and community support until Usha Arghya.

Next steps:

• Check your city’s sunset minute for Sun 26 Oct and post it to your family group.
• Print the 10‑step Kharna vidhi and the kitchen safety checklist.
• Set T–40, T–10, and T–0 alarms now; lay out your samagri tonight.
• Share this guide with your UAE Chhath group so every home keeps Day 2 pure and on time.

May Chhathi Maiya bless every UAE home with purity, strength, and steady light.