Southall Chhath Puja 2025 – West London Bihar community events. Oct 25–28 dates, Sandhya/Usha timings, safe ghats with addresses, vidhi, permits, TfL travel.

Southall Chhath Puja 2025: West London Bihar Community Events Guide

Southall Chhath Puja 2025 – West London Bihar Community Events is your all‑in‑one plan for a serene, on‑time, and safe four‑day vrat across West London’s canals, lakes, and parks. If you’re part of the Southall Indian community or a West London Bihar family, this guide gives you the national dates (Oct 25–28), London’s Sandhya and Usha reference windows, a step‑by‑step vidhi, and a curated list of calm “ghats” with exact park locations and addresses around Southall, Hayes, Hanwell, Ealing, Brentford, and Northolt. You’ll also get water/fire safety, council permit basics, TfL travel, volunteer lane‑flow, and an eco‑cleanup toolkit—so the vrati can focus on devotion while everyone else keeps time and logistics steady.

Important: The UK moves from BST to GMT before Sandhya Arghya. For 2025, the clocks go back on Sunday, 26 October. That means London will be on GMT for Sandhya (Monday, 27 Oct) and Usha (Tuesday, 28 Oct). Always verify the exact sunset and sunrise minute for your chosen park on the day.

Table of Contents

• 2025 Chhath Puja dates (UK, BST→GMT note)
• Sandhya & Usha reference windows for West London (verify locally)
• How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes
• Why Southall is perfect (and how to keep it safe and simple)
• Southall/West London “ghats” with addresses (canals, lakes, parks)
• 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)
• TfL travel, driving/parking, and accessibility
• Suburb‑wise itineraries to arrive calm and on time
• Volunteer lane‑flow and on‑the‑day runbook
• Photos, music, and respectful sound levels
• Case studies from West London families
• Key statistics and authoritative sources
• Internal and external resources

2025 Chhath Puja dates (UK, BST→GMT note)

The four‑day vrat aligns to sunset and sunrise. In 2025, the last Sunday of October is the clock change for the UK.

• Nahay Khay (Day 1): Saturday, 25 October 2025 (BST)
• Kharna (Day 2): Sunday, 26 October 2025 — BST ends; clocks go back 1 hour at 02:00 to 01:00 GMT
• Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): Monday, 27 October 2025 — evening offering at local sunset (GMT)
• Usha Arghya (Day 4): Tuesday, 28 October 2025 — morning offering at local sunrise (GMT), then paran

Post the exact sunset/sunrise minute for your chosen park in your family or community WhatsApp group the day before each offering. One clear minute + two simple cues (T–10 quiet, T–0 pour) prevents last‑minute confusion.

Sandhya & Usha reference windows for West London (verify locally)

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

• Sandhya Arghya (Mon, 27 Oct): around 16:45–16:55 GMT in West London
• Usha Arghya (Tue, 28 Oct): around 06:50–07:05 GMT in West London

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 minutes and a clear “now” at T–0.
• Print the exact minute on a small card and share it in your WhatsApp group.

Featured quick answer (for leaflets)

• Sandhya (Mon 27 Oct): ~16:50 (arrive by 16:00)
• Usha (Tue 28 Oct): ~06:57 (arrive by 06:15)
• Verify exact minute: timeanddate (London) or Met Office sunrise/sunset

How to get your exact arghya minute in 3 minutes

1. Open a sun‑time source

• timeanddate (London) or the Met Office sunrise/sunset page.

2. Select your exact location

• Use the nearest town/borough to your park (Southall/Ealing/London). Micro‑variations are small but acceptable; the timekeeper manages the final cue.

3. Choose dates

• Sunset for Mon 27 Oct 2025 (Sandhya).
• Sunrise for Tue 28 Oct 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 in case of advisories.

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

Why Southall is perfect (and how to keep it safe and simple)

Southall’s strength is proximity: canals, lakes, and park lawns sit close to dense family neighbourhoods and Elizabeth line access. During Diwali week, shops for prasad and flowers are nearby. The two keys to a smooth Chhath here are:

• Choose calm water or inland lawn pockets over active riverbanks and surf‑facing shorelines.
• Keep the ceremony compact, run lanes with a dry line, and use enclosed lamps to respect council rules and neighbours.

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

Southall/West London “ghats” with addresses (canals, lakes, parks)

These locations are commonly chosen by families because they offer calm edges, lawns, or ponds. Always confirm assembly points and any site rules with organisers, Ealing/Hounslow/Hillingdon councils, and the Canal & River Trust. Use enclosed lamps or LED tealights where open flames are restricted.

Southall and immediate surrounds

• Grand Union Canal (Havelock Road Canalside) — Havelock Rd, Southall UB2 4PA
  Use the towpath lawns and keep a wide dry line; no crowding on narrow edges.
• Glade Lane Canalside Park — Glade Ln, Southall UB2 4PJ
  Grassy pockets along the canal; pick a stable, shallow approach and cone a lane.
• The Green (inland, lawn‑based alternative) — The Green, Southall UB2 4BG
  If water edges feel unsafe, conduct a land‑based arghya with a shallow tray.

Hayes & Northolt (nearby, calm lakes)

• Minet Country Park (lake) — Springfield Rd, Hayes UB4 0LP
  Nature reserve lake with paths; choose firm, accessible spots and keep lamps enclosed.
• Northala Fields (fishing lakes) — Kensington Rd, Northolt UB5 6UR
  Multiple lakes with good paths; pick gentle shelves and mark clear dry lines.

Hanwell, Ealing & Brentford corridor

• Brent Lodge Park & Brent River Park lawns — Church Rd, Hanwell W7 2BP
  Use inland lawns with Brent River views; avoid steep/slippery banks.
• Walpole Park (ornamental lakes) — Mattock Ln, London W5 5EQ
  Two ornamental lakes with surrounding paths; keep ceremonies compact and respectful.
• Boston Manor Park (canal/river interface) — Boston Manor Rd, Brentford TW8 9JX
  Refurbished grounds; choose calm, shallow pockets away from busy paths.

Hounslow & Isleworth (larger water bodies)

• Osterley Park & House (lakes) — Jersey Rd, Isleworth TW7 4RB (National Trust)
  Lakes and lawns; permission may be required. Check NT/event rules before planning.
• Lampton Park (ornamental pond) — Lampton Rd, Hounslow TW3 4DN
  Small pond; suitable for compact family ceremonies with strict lamp safety.

Port slivers along Lake Thames/Grand Union junctions

• Brentford Lock (promenade lawns) — Commerce Rd, Brentford TW8 8LR
  Choose inland lawn pockets; avoid narrow canal edges.

Notes before you choose a ghat

• Prefer ponds/lakes and canal lawns with firm footing.
• Mark a “dry line” 1–2 metres back. Only vratis step forward briefly for arghya.
• Many parks limit open flames—use enclosed lamps/LED tealights and carry sand/water.
• Leave no trace: pack out flowers, fruit, and prasad crumbs.
• For private/managed estates (e.g., National Trust, new canal developments), written permission may be required.

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, safe, and focused—especially in public spaces.

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

• Clean home and puja space; 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, 26 Oct (clock change overnight)

• Vrati fasts without water all day.
• 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 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 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 stalks/pieces (if available), seasonal produce
• Clean dupatta/shawl for vrati; spare cloth

Cold‑weather kit (late October in London)

• 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 (councils + Canal & River Trust)

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 999 and give the park name and nearest road.

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

• Ealing Council (Southall, Hanwell, Ealing): check parks/events guidance and any notifications for large groups or amplified sound.
• Hounslow Council (Osterley, Lampton, Brentford): confirm park rules and fire restrictions.
• Hillingdon Council (Hayes, Northolt borders): review park/event conditions.
• Canal & River Trust (Grand Union Canal): permissions may be required for organised events on towpaths.

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 ornamental lakes usually offer safer footing than active canal/river edges; choose pond edges first.
• If footing is unsafe, move slightly inland and offer facing the sun with a shallow tray/kalash.

TfL travel, driving/parking, and accessibility

Public transport (TfL)

• Elizabeth line — Southall station puts you minutes from The Green/Broadway; Hanwell and West Ealing serve Ealing parks.
• Tube connections — Ealing Broadway (Central/District), Northolt (Central), Boston Manor (Piccadilly) for Boston Manor Park and Northala Fields (bus link).
• Buses — Frequent routes along Uxbridge Rd/Broadway and The Green connect Southall, Hanwell, Ealing, Hounslow, Hayes, Northolt (plan via TfL).

Driving and parking

• Expect Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) on weekdays; read signs.
• Waterfront 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 (Northala Fields lakes, Walpole Park, Lampton Park pond, Lake Aquitaine/Lake Wabukayne equivalents if travelling).
• Ask councils about accessible toilets and nearest disabled bays.
• Provide elder seating behind the dry line and assign a helper.

Suburb‑wise itineraries to arrive calm and on time

Southall Broadway / The Green / Norwood Green

• Suggested ghats: Glade Lane Canalside Park; Havelock Rd canalside; inland lawn pocket on The Green with a shallow tray.
• Depart: 45–60 minutes early; compact thali; enclosed lamps; two quick photos after.

Hanwell / Ealing / West Ealing

• Suggested ghats: Walpole Park (lakes), Brent Lodge Park lawns, Boston Manor Park.
• Depart: 60 minutes early; use Ealing Broadway/West Ealing rail + short walk.

Hayes / Yeading / Minet

• Suggested ghats: Minet Country Park (lake) or Northala Fields (lakes).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; park paths can be damp—wear non‑slip shoes.

Northolt / Greenford

• Suggested ghats: Northala Fields (lakes).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; winds possible—use enclosed lamps.

Hounslow / Osterley / Lampton

• Suggested ghats: Osterley Park lakes (permission may be required), Lampton Park pond.
• Depart: 60 minutes early; verify park rules; keep ceremony compact.

Port credit–style Thames/Brent junctions (Brentford)

• Suggested ghats: Boston Manor Park inland pockets; Brentford Lock lawns (inland).
• Depart: 60 minutes early; avoid narrow towpaths at peak time.

Buffer rule

• Families: 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 community‑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 West London families

Glade Lane Canalside, lane‑first setup

• Two families posted the exact sunset minute 24 hours ahead and marked two lanes with cones. With enclosed lamps and a T–10 quiet cue, arghya matched the minute, and cleanup took 12 minutes.

Walpole Park (ornamental lakes), elder‑friendly

• A mixed‑age group chose the lake path with benches nearby. LED tealights handled breeze; Usha Arghya wrapped at 07:00, and paran began by 07:20 under a quiet grove.

Minet Country Park lake, wind‑aware

• Volunteers selected a sheltered pocket and used wind shields. A single “now” cue kept offerings synchronised. Result: safe footing, serene focus, tidy exit.

Northala Fields, suburb‑smart

• Three households pooled samagri, labelled tins “vrati/family/distribution,” and used non‑slip shoes for damp paths. A quick leave‑no‑trace sweep earned smiles from park staff.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

• Hindus in England & Wales: ~1.0 million people (2021 Census), showing robust festival participation across London.
  Office for National Statistics — https://www.ons.gov.uk/
• UK drowning context underscores caution at canals/rivers during festivals.
  Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
• Sunrise/sunset and UK clock change references for planning exact minutes.
  timeanddate – London sun times — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london
  timeanddate – DST UK — https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/uk/london
• Park use and canal towpath guidance for events.
  Ealing Council – Parks/Events — https://www.ealing.gov.uk/
  London Borough of Hounslow – Parks — https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/
  London Borough of Hillingdon – Parks — https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
  Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

These sources support timing precision, safety, and compliance for Southall Chhath Puja 2025 – West London Bihar Community Events.

Related internal guides

• Bihari Connect UK Chhath Puja 2025 – York Cottage Celebration
• Manchester Chhath Puja 2025 – North West Community Celebrations
• 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 – London sun times — https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london
• RLSS UK — https://www.rlss.org.uk/
• Canal & River Trust — https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
• Ealing Council — https://www.ealing.gov.uk/
• Hounslow Council — https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/
• Hillingdon Council — https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/
• TfL Journey Planner — https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

FAQ section

Conclusion with CTA

Southall Chhath Puja 2025 – West London Bihar Community Events is your calm, on‑time blueprint for the four‑day vrat. With the UK switching to GMT before Sandhya, the smart move is simple: verify the minute for your park, arrive early, run T–10 and T–0 cues, and keep the setup compact and eco‑friendly. Choose calm lakes, canalside lawns, or inland pockets; mark a dry line; and let your volunteers handle flow and safety while the vrati focuses on devotion.

Next steps:

• Verify your park’s exact sunset/sunrise minute and post it to your group today.
• Print a simple lane map 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 Southall/West London groups and invite one more family to co‑host the cleanup.

May Surya Dev and Usha Maiya bless every West London home with health, harmony, and light. Which ghat will your family choose—Glade Lane Canalside, Walpole Park lakes, Minet Country Park, or Northala Fields?