Leeds Chhath Puja 2025: Yorkshire Bihar community celebrations. Dates Oct 25–28, Sandhya/Usha timings, safe ghats with addresses, vidhi, permits, WY Metro travel.

Leeds Chhath Puja 2025: Yorkshire Bihar Community Celebrations Guide

Leeds Chhath Puja 2025: Yorkshire Bihar Community Celebrations brings a complete, practical plan for a serene four-day vrat across Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, and nearby towns. You’ll get UK dates with the BST→GMT switch, Leeds/ Yorkshire timing windows for Sandhya and Usha arghya, a precise step-by-step vidhi, and a curated list of calm “ghats” with park addresses. We also cover permits, water/fire safety, West Yorkshire transport, volunteer lane-flow, and eco-cleanup—so the vrati can focus on devotion while the family keeps time and logistics smooth.

Important: The UK clocks change in the middle of Chhath. In 2025, BST ends in the early hours of Sunday 26 October. That means Leeds will be on GMT for Sandhya Arghya (Mon 27 Oct) and Usha Arghya (Tue 28 Oct). Always verify the exact sunset and sunrise minute for your chosen park on the day.

Table of Contents

UK dates (BST→GMT) and why timing matters
Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Leeds/Yorkshire
Find your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes
Why Leeds–Yorkshire works beautifully (and how to keep it safe)
Leeds/Yorkshire “ghats” with addresses (lakes, parks, canal lawns)
Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)
Vrati samagri checklist, prasad, and cold-weather setup
Safety, permits, and eco-friendly practices (councils + Canal & River Trust)
WY Metro travel, driving/parking, and accessibility
Area-wise itineraries to arrive calm and on time
Volunteer roles and on-the-day runbook
Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
Case studies from Yorkshire families
Key statistics and authoritative sources
Internal and external resources

UK dates (BST→GMT) and why timing matters

Chhath is a four-day vrat anchored to local sunset and sunrise.

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)

What changes after the clock switch:

Use GMT for both Sandhya and Usha.
Post the exact sunset/sunrise minute for your chosen park in your family/community group the day before.
Run two cues: T–10 (quiet focus) and T–0 (pour) to keep offerings aligned.

Sandhya & Usha reference windows for Leeds/Yorkshire

Use these as planning references; verify your exact minute via timeanddate or the Met Office on the day.

Leeds/Bradford area (Yorkshire & Humber)
- Sandhya (Mon 27 Oct): ~16:45–16:55 GMT
- Usha (Tue 28 Oct): ~07:05–07:20 GMT
- Arrive by: 16:00 for Sandhya; 06:20 for Usha
Nearby city bands (for family/guests traveling in)
- Sheffield/Doncaster/Rotherham: Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:05–07:20
- York/Harrogate: Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:05–07:20
- Wakefield/Huddersfield/Dewsbury: Sandhya ~16:45–16:55; Usha ~07:05–07:15

Planning buffers

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

Find your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes

Open a sun-time source

timeanddate (choose “Leeds” or your town) or the Met Office sunrise/sunset page.

Select location and date

Sunset for Mon 27 Oct 2025 (Sandhya); sunrise for Tue 28 Oct 2025 (Usha).

Share and set alarms

Post the minute in your WhatsApp group and on a small laminated card.
Phone alarms: T–40 (assemble soops), T–10 (quiet), T–0 (pour).

Re-check on the day

Verify 2–3 hours before in case of visibility/weather notes.

If a water edge is slick, narrow, or unsafe, step a few metres inland and offer arghya facing the sun with a shallow tray/kalash. Safety and timing come first.

Why Leeds–Yorkshire works beautifully (and how to keep it safe)

Leeds brings big, accessible parks with lakes and lawns, while Bradford, Wakefield, and York add their own calm water spots. Shops for prasad and flowers are close to communities. The two keys to a smooth Yorkshire Chhath are:

Choose ornamental lakes, ponds, and wide canal lawns over steep riverbanks.
Keep the ceremony compact, run lane flow with a dry line, and use enclosed lamps to respect park rules and neighbours.

If you stop at a gurdwara the same day for ardas and langar: warmly welcome, but do not perform Hindu ritual steps (diyas/incense/soop) inside the gurdwara. Complete Chhath arghya at a park or at home.

Leeds/Yorkshire “ghats” with addresses (lakes, parks, canal lawns)

Pick calm, accessible spaces; keep ceremonies compact and respectful. Always confirm site rules and fire guidance with the council or land manager.

Leeds (city and suburbs)

Roundhay Park (Waterloo Lake & Upper Lake) — Mansion Ln, Leeds LS8 2HH
Broad lakes, paved paths, benches for elders; choose firm edges.
Golden Acre Park (Lake) — Otley Rd, Leeds LS16 8BQ
Sheltered lake and level paths; ideal for lane marking.
Temple Newsam Estate (Lakes) — Temple Newsam Rd, Leeds LS15 0AE
Estate lakes with lawns; check opening hours and event guidance.
Yeadon Tarn (Tarnfield Park) — High St, Yeadon LS19 7PP
Popular tarn with walking loops; pick a gentle shelf and mark a dry line.
Middleton Park (Lake) — Town St, Middleton LS10 3SH
Woodland lake; prefer stable, shallow pockets.
Kirkstall Abbey grounds (lawn pockets only) — Abbey Rd, Leeds LS5 3EH
River Aire nearby; remain inland on lawns and avoid steep banks.
Rodley Nature Reserve (check access) — Moss Bridge Rd, Rodley LS13 1HP
Sensitive habitat; confirm rules and prefer nearby canal lawns instead.

Bradford & Calderdale

Lister Park (Manningham Park Lake) — North Park Rd, Bradford BD9 4NR
Ornamental lake with promenades; great for compact family ceremonies.
Peel Park (Ornamental lake) — Cliffe Rd, Bradford BD3 0LT
Level paths and lawns; choose a wind-sheltered pocket.
Roberts Park (Saltaire lawn pockets) — Higher Coach Rd, BD17 7LU
River nearby; use inland lawns only and mark a wide dry line.
Shroggs Park (pond) — Lee Mount Rd, Halifax HX3 6SP
Quiet pond; confirm local guidance.

Wakefield & Kirklees

Pugneys Country Park (Lakes) — Asdale Rd, Wakefield WF2 7EQ
Open yet manageable; pick sheltered corners and keep lamps enclosed.
Newmillerdam Country Park — Barnsley Rd, Wakefield WF2 6QQ
Beautiful lake; choose firm edges and mark lanes clearly.
Greenhead Park (Ponds) — Trinity St, Huddersfield HD1 4DT
City park with ponds; elder-friendly access and clear exits.

York & Harrogate

Rowntree Park (Lake) — Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ
Calm lake with lawns; confirm event rules in city parks.
Homestead Park (Ornamental areas) — 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP
Select sheltered lawn pockets; keep ceremonies compact.
Valley Gardens (Harrogate) — Valley Dr, Harrogate HG1 2SZ
Ornamental water features and lawns; great for small gatherings.

Key site selection notes

Prefer ponds/lakes and broad canal lawns with firm footing.
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.

Complete Chhath Puja vidhi (Nahay Khay to Usha Arghya)

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

Day 1: Nahay Khay — Saturday, 25 Oct (BST)

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

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

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

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

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, 28 Oct (GMT)

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 the exact sunset/sunrise minute, 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 checklist, 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 sticks/pieces (if available), seasonal produce
Clean dupatta/shawl for vrati; spare cloth

Cold-weather kit (late October in Yorkshire)

Layers, shawls, gloves, beanies for pre-dawn chill.
Hand warmers; non-slip waterproof footwear.
Thermos with warm water for elders and non-fasters.
Rain ponchos; 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 (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 and lamp safety

Prefer enclosed lamps/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

Leeds City Council (events/parks): check if large groups, amplified sound, or lighting require permission.
Bradford, Wakefield, York, Harrogate councils: confirm park rules and restrictions.
Canal & River Trust: seek guidance for organised use of canal towpaths and plazas.
Royal Parks/National Trust sites (if used): permissions may be required—apply 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 a few metres and offer with a shallow tray—timing and intention matter most.

WY Metro travel, driving/parking, and accessibility

Public transport

West Yorkshire Metro (journey planning): https://www.wymetro.com/
Rail: Northern, TransPennine Express, LNER connect Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Harrogate.
Buses: First West Yorkshire, Transdev, Arriva; check late-evening and pre-dawn frequency.

Driving and parking

City parks can 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.
Respect local restrictions in estates and nature reserves.

Accessibility

Prefer paved entries and even gradients (Roundhay lakesides, Golden Acre paths, Lister Park lake, Pugneys).
Ask park managers about accessible toilets and nearby disabled bays.
Provide elder seating behind the dry line and assign a helper.

Area-wise itineraries to arrive calm and on time

North Leeds (Chapel Allerton, Moortown, Alwoodley)

Suggested ghats: Roundhay Park, Golden Acre Park.
Depart: 60 minutes before sunset; 45 minutes before sunrise.
Setup: Enclosed lamps; benches for elders; two quick photos after.

West & Northwest (Kirkstall, Horsforth, Yeadon)

Suggested ghats: Yeadon Tarn; Roundhay/Golden Acre if meeting centrally.
Depart: 60 minutes early; paths can be damp—use non-slip shoes.
Setup: Two-lane format with cones; T–10/T–0 cues.

South Leeds (Beeston, Hunslet, Middleton)

Suggested ghats: Middleton Park lake; Temple Newsam estate lakes.
Depart: 60 minutes early; keep ceremony compact and calm.
Setup: Mark a wide dry line; LED lanterns for pre-dawn.

East Leeds (Seacroft, Cross Gates, Halton)

Suggested ghats: Temple Newsam lakes; Roundhay Park.
Depart: 60 minutes early; consider car share to reduce parking stress.
Setup: Label prasad tins; quick leave‑no‑trace sweep.

Bradford cluster (Manningham, Shipley, BD5/BD7)

Suggested ghats: Lister Park lake; Roberts Park lawns (inland).
Depart: 60 minutes early; avoid steep banks; keep lamps enclosed.

Wakefield & Dewsbury/Huddersfield

Suggested ghats: Pugneys, Newmillerdam, Greenhead Park ponds.
Depart: 60 minutes early; set elder seating and sheltered lanes.

York & Harrogate families

Suggested ghats: Rowntree Park lake; Homestead Park; Valley Gardens.
Depart: 60–75 minutes early; confirm park rules; keep it compact.

Buffer rule

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

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: Lanes/exits marked; lighting tested; footing verified.
T–60: Families arrive; soops arranged; lamp 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; low light; minimal sound.
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 community-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 and away from crowds and wildlife.

Case studies from Yorkshire families

Roundhay Park, elder-first setup
A mixed-age group arrived 55 minutes early and chose a firm lakeside with benches. Enclosed lamps beat the breeze. The timekeeper called T–10 quiet and T–0 pour precisely at sunset. Cleanup took 12 minutes.

Lister Park, compact ceremony
Two families pooled samagri and set a single lane near the promenade. With labelled tins (“vrati/family/distribution”), prasad sharing was smooth. Usha arghya finished on time, and elders stayed warm with shawls and hand warmers.

Pugneys Country Park, wind-aware plan
Volunteers selected a sheltered corner and used wind shields. A single “now” cue kept offerings synchronised despite gusts. The group thanked park staff and posted a leave‑no‑trace clip.

Rowntree Park (York), city-friendly
Families picked the lake’s calm edge, marked the dry line with cones, and used LED tealights. The offering matched the minute, and paths were clear for joggers and prams.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

Hindus in England & Wales: ~1.0 million (2021 Census), showing strong festival participation across cities like Leeds and Bradford.
Office for National Statistics — https://www.ons.gov.uk/
UK water safety context underscores caution at lakes, canals, and rivers during events.
Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
Sun times and UK clock change (BST→GMT) tools for precise planning.
timeanddate — https://www.timeanddate.com/
Met Office — https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Park and towpath guidance for organised gatherings.
Leeds City Council — https://www.leeds.gov.uk/
Bradford Council — https://www.bradford.gov.uk/
Wakefield Council — https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/
York Council — https://www.york.gov.uk/
Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
Travel and journey planning (West Yorkshire).
WY Metro — https://www.wymetro.com/
National Rail — https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

These sources underpin timing precision, safety, and compliance.

Related internal guides

Authoritative external links

ONS — https://www.ons.gov.uk/
timeanddate — https://www.timeanddate.com/
Met Office — https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
RLSS UK — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
Leeds City Council — https://www.leeds.gov.uk/
WY Metro — https://www.wymetro.com/
National Rail — https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

FAQ section

What are the Leeds Chhath Puja 2025 dates, and when do clocks change?
Chhath runs Sat 25 Oct (Nahay Khay, BST), Sun 26 Oct (Kharna; clocks go back early morning), Mon 27 Oct (Sandhya, GMT), and Tue 28 Oct (Usha, GMT), followed by paran.

How should we time Sandhya and Usha in Leeds?
Plan Sandhya around ~16:45–16:55 GMT and Usha around ~07:05–07:20 GMT. Verify your park’s exact minute via timeanddate or the Met Office and arrive with a buffer.

Which Leeds/Yorkshire “ghats” work best, and what are the addresses?
Top picks include Roundhay Park (LS8 2HH), Golden Acre Park (LS16 8BQ), Temple Newsam lakes (LS15 0AE), Yeadon Tarn (LS19 7PP), Lister Park lake (BD9 4NR), Pugneys Country Park (WF2 7EQ), Newmillerdam (WF2 6QQ), Rowntree Park lake (YO23 1JQ), and Greenhead Park ponds (HD1 4DT). More are listed above.

Can we perform arghya inside a temple or gurdwara?
No. Arghya is a water-edge rite. Temples can host bhajans, pravachan, sankalp, aarti, and prasad. Gurdwaras welcome ardas and langar, but Chhath ritual steps belong at a park or at home.

Do we need permits for a community gathering?
Small families usually don’t, but larger events (sound, lighting, signage, 50+ attendees) or canal towpath use may require council or Canal & River Trust permission. Apply early and carry approvals.

Are diyas allowed in parks?
Rules vary. Prefer enclosed lamps or LED tealights; keep sand/water on hand; extinguish all flames; follow local by‑laws and staff guidance.

What should the vrati pack for late October weather?
Layers, shawls, non-slip footwear, hand warmers, enclosed lamps/LEDs, labelled prasad tins, compostable bags, and a compact, wind-safe thali.

How do we keep the ceremony punctual and calm?
Publish the exact minute the day before, arrive with buffers, run T–10 (quiet) and T–0 (pour) cues, keep lanes clear, and finish with a leave‑no‑trace sweep.

What if the bank is muddy or narrow on the day?
Shift a few metres inland and offer facing the sun with a shallow tray/kalash. Timing and intention matter more than standing at the edge.

Conclusion with CTA

Leeds Chhath Puja 2025: Yorkshire Bihar Community Celebrations is your calm, on‑time blueprint for the four‑day vrat. With the BST→GMT switch, the smartest move is simple: verify your minute, arrive early, mark a dry line, and use enclosed lamps. Choose safe lakes and lawns, keep the ceremony compact, and let volunteers handle flow and safety so the vrati can focus on devotion.

Next steps:

Verify your 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 in your Leeds/Yorkshire networks and invite another family to co-host the cleanup.

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