Find UK Chhath Puja 2025 dates (Oct 25–28), Sandhya/Usha timing guidance, BST→GMT note, rituals, vrati checklists, UK ghat maps, TfL/rail tips, safety, and eco rules.

When is Chhath Puja 2025 in UK – Dates, Times & Rituals
Chhath Puja is the soul of devotion for millions from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh—and today for the entire Indian diaspora in Britain. If you’re asking “When is Chhath Puja 2025 in UK?” and want clear answers on dates, timing, and how to observe all four days correctly in British conditions, you’re in the right place.
This all‑in‑one, UK‑optimised guide confirms the 2025 dates, explains the BST→GMT time‑change that week, gives step‑by‑step rituals (Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya), shares vrati checklists, and lists popular UK ghats (with Google Maps) used in past years—so you can plan Sandhya/Usha calmly and respectfully. You’ll also find city‑specific sunrise/sunset planning links, transport tips (TfL, National Rail, TfGM, West Midlands), safety and eco‑friendly practices, and a no‑rush 30/14/7‑day timeline. Keep this open—you shouldn’t need another tab.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: UK Chhath Puja 2025 dates & timing
- BST→GMT Note: The UK clock change during Chhath week
- Four Days, Four Rituals: What to do each day (UK‑ready)
- How to plan arghya windows: UK sunrise/sunset tools (links for major cities)
- UK Ghats Directory (Google Maps): London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, more
- Vrati & Family Checklists: Soop, prasad, diya, clothing, safety
- Getting There: TfL & rail planners, city transport, parking
- Crowd‑smart arrival, walking routes, and lake/river weather prep
- Family Safety at the Water’s Edge: first aid, kids, lighting, flame rules
- Volunteers & Seva: Roles, shifts, and WhatsApp ops
- Food & Health: Kharna menu, fasting guidance, kid‑friendly satvik ideas
- UK Shopping Run: Where to buy what (Devon, Ealing/Southall, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester)
- Eco‑friendly Chhath in UK parks: clean ghats, compostables, take‑back plans
- Budget planner, 30/14/7‑day checklist, and day‑of flow
- FAQs
- Conclusion & Blessings
Quick Answer: UK Chhath Puja 2025 dates & timing
Expected UK dates (confirm locally)
- Nahay Khay: Saturday, 25 October 2025
- Kharna: Sunday, 26 October 2025
- Sandhya Arghya (evening offering): Monday, 27 October 2025
- Usha Arghya (dawn offering): Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Timing guidance
- Arrive 60–90 minutes before local sunset for Sandhya.
- Arrive 75–90 minutes before local sunrise for Usha.
- Check your city’s sunrise/sunset the day before and on the day (links below). Follow your organisers’ exact arghya windows and lane instructions at the ghat.
BST→GMT Note: The UK clock change during Chhath week
The UK ends daylight saving at 02:00 on Sunday, 26 October 2025 (clocks go back one hour; BST → GMT).
- Kharna (26 Oct), Sandhya (27 Oct), and Usha (28 Oct) all occur after the change—times will be in GMT.
- Because sunset comes noticeably earlier after the change, plan to reach Sandhya ghats extra early, especially with elders and children.
Four Days, Four Rituals: What to do each day (UK‑ready)
Chhath Puja honours Surya Dev (Sun) and Chhathi Maiya (Usha—goddess of dawn). Vratis observe strict discipline and a nirjala fast (no food or water) for ~36 hours from Kharna evening to after Usha Arghya.
Day 1 — Nahay Khay (Sat, 25 Oct)
- Purify: Clean your puja corner, utensils, and kitchen. Many vratis bathe early.
- Satvik meal: Lauki‑chana dal with steamed rice, cooked in clean, dedicated vessels.
- Prep produce: Wash bananas, coconut (whole), sweet lime, apple, pomegranate; radish (with greens, if available), lauki/kaddu; set aside sugarcane.
Day 2 — Kharna (Sun, 26 Oct) — now on GMT
- Daylong fast ends after sunset with jaggery rice kheer (no salt), roti/poori, and fruits—cooked in a pristine, calm kitchen.
- After Kharna prasad, the vrati begins the ~36‑hour nirjala fast until after Usha Arghya.
Day 3 — Sandhya Arghya (Mon, 27 Oct) — evening offering to setting sun
- Reach your ghat 60–90 mins before sunset. Assemble the soop (bamboo tray) with thekua, fruits, radish, sugarcane, diya + ghee/wicks, windproof lighter, lota/kalash (clean water), flowers, akshat (rice), red cloth/dupatta.
- At the volunteer cue, vratis stand at the waterline and offer arghya to the setting sun. Keep footwear rules per your family custom and venue safety.
Day 4 — Usha Arghya (Tue, 28 Oct) — dawn offering to rising sun
- Arrive well before first light; headlamps help. Follow lane rotation at the water’s edge.
- Offer arghya to the rising sun. Vratis complete the fast at home with family, then distribute prasad.
Niyam (discipline) reminders
- Sattvik: No onion/garlic; keep prasad utensils separate if possible; many families avoid tasting prasad before offering.
- Calm: Maintain a quiet kitchen; keep children safe and away from hot oil and open flames.
How to plan arghya windows: UK sunrise/sunset tools
Use your city’s sunrise/sunset for exact local planning and to cross‑check organiser guidance. Bookmark the links and check both a day ahead and on the day.
- London Sun & Moon (Oct 2025): https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london?month=10&year=2025
- Leicester Sun & Moon: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/leicester?month=10&year=2025
- Birmingham Sun & Moon: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/birmingham?month=10&year=2025
- Manchester Sun & Moon: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/manchester?month=10&year=2025
- Glasgow Sun & Moon: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/glasgow?month=10&year=2025
- Cardiff Sun & Moon: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cardiff?month=10&year=2025
Pro tip
- For Sandhya: plan to be in position 20–30 minutes before the listed sunset.
- For Usha: reach the ghat 30–45 minutes before the listed sunrise; lanes get busy just before dawn.
UK Ghats Directory (Google Maps)
These are popular lakes/riverfronts where UK Chhath devotees have gathered in recent years. 2025 permits, exact shoreline lanes, and diya rules will be announced by organisers and park authorities—always follow onsite instructions and use only designated drop points with nets/collection crews.
London (and vicinity)
- Victoria Park (East London) — lakeside areas
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Victoria+Park,+London - Barking Park Lake (Barking & Dagenham)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Barking+Park+Lake - Valentines Park Lake (Ilford, Redbridge)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Valentines+Park,+Ilford - Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp, Barnet/Brent)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Brent+Reservoir,+London - Thames Riverside (select, permitted stretches only; confirm first) — e.g., Richmond riverside or Thames Path segments if organisers secure permissions
General Thames Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Thames+Path,+London
Leicester
- Watermead Country Park (Lakeside areas; check designated spots)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Watermead+Country+Park,+Leicester - Abbey Park (River Soar/lake zones as permitted)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Abbey+Park,+Leicester - Braunstone Park Lake
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Braunstone+Park,+Leicester
Birmingham & West Midlands
- Edgbaston Reservoir (Birmingham)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Edgbaston+Reservoir - Handsworth Park Lake
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Handsworth+Park,+Birmingham - Sutton Park (Powell’s Pool/Blackroot Pool; use only permitted points)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Sutton+Park,+Birmingham
Manchester & North West
- Platt Fields Park (Boating Lake, Rusholme)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Platt+Fields+Park,+Manchester - Heaton Park Lake
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Heaton+Park,+Manchester - Sale Water Park (Trafford)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Sale+Water+Park
Glasgow & Central Scotland
- Pollok Country Park (riverside areas as permitted)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Pollok+Country+Park,+Glasgow - Strathclyde Country Park (Strathclyde Loch)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Strathclyde+Country+Park
Other cities (common options—confirm local permissions)
- Luton — Wardown Park Lake
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Wardown+Park+Museum,+Luton - Milton Keynes — Willen Lake
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Willen+Lake,+Milton+Keynes - Reading — Thames Promenade / Caversham (permitted stretches only)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Thames+Promenade,+Reading - Slough — Herschel Park / Black Park Country Park (as permitted)
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Herschel+Park,+Slough
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Black+Park+Country+Park
Notes
- These map pins are starting points. Organisers will mark exact lanes, staging tables, and diya zones in 2025 announcements. Please use only those.
Vrati & Family Checklists: Soop, Prasad, Diya, Clothing, Safety
Soop/daura kit (adjust to your tradition)
- Soop/daura (bamboo), lota/kalash (brass/steel), small gangajali (if available)
- Diya (mitti), ghee/oil, cotton wicks, windproof lighter (UK wind can be brisk)
- Thekua (prasad), jaggery laddoo/kasar (if used), kheer for Kharna (home)
- Fruits: bananas, coconut (whole), sweet lime, apple, pomegranate, pear
- Vegetables: radish (with greens if possible), lauki/kaddu; sugarcane sticks
- Flowers, haldi, kumkum/sindoor, akshat (rice), red cloth/dupatta/kalawa
- Towel, small mat, extra bags (trash/compost/take‑back prasad)
- Headlamp/flashlight, small first‑aid kit, handwarmers (for dawn)
- Clothing: modest, warm traditional wear; shawl/jacket; non‑slip, easy‑on footwear
- Kids/seniors: warm layers, folding chair, wristband with guardian phone, thermos (for non‑vratis)
Safety add‑ons
- Compact umbrella + shoe bag
- Metal diya plate (if open flame is permitted)
- Phone power bank + offline map screenshots
Getting There: TfL & Rail Planners, City Transport, Parking
Journey planning
- TfL Journey Planner (London): https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
- National Rail Enquiries: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
- Transport for Greater Manchester: https://tfgm.com/journey-planning
- Transport for West Midlands: https://www.tfwm.org.uk
- Traveline (UK‑wide): https://www.traveline.info
Driving & parking
- City parks often have limited or paid parking; arrive early and use marked car parks.
- Suburban country parks may charge entry/parking; check hours (many are dawn–dusk).
- Never block emergency access or park on soft verges.
Crowd‑smart arrival, walking routes, and lake/river weather prep
- Sandhya: Arrive 60–90 mins before sunset; set up calmly; follow lane ropes.
- Usha: Reach 75–90 mins before sunrise; headlamps + slow pace; stay together.
- UK late‑October weather: chilly, windy, possible drizzle. Wear layers, caps, gloves, and non‑slip shoes that are easy to remove at the edge if your custom requires bare feet.
- Water safety: Most venues allow only ankle/calf depth; do not wade deeper or step beyond marked zones.
Family Safety at the Water’s Edge: first aid, kids, lighting, flame rules
- Lanes: Follow ushers; no pushing/overtaking near the shoreline.
- One family & one soop at the edge, then rotate back to give space.
- Children stay behind safety lines with a non‑vrati adult until your turn.
- Diya: Use designated flame zones; many UK parks restrict open flame—battery tealights may be required. Always follow organiser/park staff instructions.
- Health: If a vrati feels faint (nirjala fast), sit immediately and alert volunteers. Carry regular meds. Consult your GP ahead of time if you have health conditions.
Emergency
- Dial 999 for emergencies; know the park’s main entrance name to guide responders.
Volunteers & Seva: Roles, Shifts, WhatsApp Ops
- Roles: entry/flow marshals, shoreline ushers, diya safety, first‑aid support, lost‑and‑found, prasad tables, ADA/accessible escort, multilingual info (Hindi/Bhojpuri/Maithili/English), cleanup.
- Shifts: 60–90 minutes — pre‑sunset→arghya, pre‑dawn→sunrise, then cleanup.
- Ops: One WhatsApp broadcast per site; zone leads with radios if available. A 10‑minute huddle covers lanes, egress, and cutoffs.
Volunteer mantra: Calm tone, eye contact, clear gestures—one safe family at a time.
Food & Health: Kharna menu, fasting guidance, kid‑friendly satvik ideas
Kharna (Sun, 26 Oct, GMT)
- Jaggery rice kheer (no salt), roti/poori, fruits; dedicated utensils; quiet, focused preparation.
Satvik ideas for non‑vratis/kids
- Aloo‑jeera, lauki‑chana dal, steamed rice, kachumber, plain yogurt.
- Baked sabudana patties, fruit cups, warm milk (if your family custom allows).
Hydration & rest
- Vratis should consult a GP if they have medical conditions before attempting the nirjala fast.
- Families: carry water and light snacks for kids/elders; pack a warm blanket for pre‑dawn.
UK Shopping Run: Where to buy and what to get
London
- Ealing/Southall (King St/High St, The Broadway) — groceries, puja stores, sweets
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Southall+Broadway - Wembley / Alperton (Ealing Rd) — puja items, jaggery, atta, diyas
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Ealing+Road,+Wembley - East Ham / Ilford / Barking — multiple South Asian grocers
Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=High+Street+North,+East+Ham and https://maps.google.com/?q=Ilford+High+Road
Leicester
- Belgrave Rd / Golden Mile — puja stores, sweets, groceries
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Belgrave+Road,+Leicester
Birmingham
- Soho Rd / Handsworth — groceries/puja stores; Stratford Rd (Sparkhill)
Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Soho+Road,+Birmingham and https://maps.google.com/?q=Stratford+Road,+Sparkhill
Manchester
- Curry Mile / Rusholme; Cheetham Hill
Maps: https://maps.google.com/?q=Curry+Mile+Manchester and https://maps.google.com/?q=Cheetham+Hill
What to buy (7–10 days early)
- Soop/daura, lota/kalash, mitti diyas/ghee/wicks, jaggery, whole‑wheat flour (atta), saunf, elaichi, dry fruits
- Fruits (banana, coconut, sweet lime, apple, pomegranate), radish, lauki/kaddu, sugarcane (sells out first)
- Compostable plates/bowls; small metal diya plate; battery tealights (wind‑friendly)
Eco‑friendly Chhath in UK parks
Chhath is purity in action—let’s keep lakes/rivers pristine.
- Only drop offerings at netted collection points; never plastic into water.
- Carry two bags: one compost bag and one rubbish bag; pack out what you bring.
- Prefer compostable plates or reusable steel thalis for prasad.
- Tie leftover flowers/offerings into a take‑back bag for proper compost disposal per organiser guidance.
Budget planner, 30/14/7‑day checklist, and day‑of flow
Estimated family budget (4 people)
- Puja supplies & diyas: £20–£55
- Fruits/veg & prasad ingredients: £30–£85
- Kharna groceries: £10–£25
- Transport/parking/warm drinks: £8–£25
- Optional outfits & shawls: £40–£120
30/14/7‑day checklist (for 25–28 Oct)
- 30 days out
- Confirm vratis; GP advice if needed. Choose ghat; review park rules on flames/hours. Arrange rides for elders; set up a family WhatsApp.
- 14 days out
- Buy puja kit items; test headlamps; volunteer shift sign‑up. Prep thekua ingredients; wash/dry soop & lota; line tins with parchment.
- 7 days out
- Pre‑order sugarcane/fruits; finalise carpool/transit; print mantras/aarti. Pack labelled compost/rubbish bags, mini first‑aid kit, shoe bag.
Day‑of flow (Sandhya — Mon, 27 Oct)
- Leave home 90 minutes earlier than usual.
- Park/public transport → restrooms → calmly set up soop 45 mins pre‑sunset.
- Proceed to lanes at volunteer cue; offer arghya with quiet focus.
- Step back; share prasad respectfully; take a brief family photo; give space to others.
- Pack out waste; help elders first; exit via assigned routes.
Related internal guides
- Chhath Puja 2025 UK – Complete Festival Guide & Celebrations
- Chhath Puja 2025 Canada: Complete Celebration Guide & Events
- Chhath Puja Toronto 2025: Hindu Heritage Centre Events & Timing
- Chhath Puja 2025 Melbourne: Events, Celebrations & Arghya Timing
FAQs
When is Chhath Puja 2025 in the UK?
Expected 25–28 October 2025: Nahay Khay (25), Kharna (26), Sandhya Arghya (27), Usha Arghya (28). Confirm arghya windows locally and check sunrise/sunset links for your city.
What time should I reach the ghat for Sandhya/Usha?
Sandhya: arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset. Usha: 75–90 minutes before sunrise. After the clock change (GMT), sunsets are earlier—reach extra early.
How does the BST→GMT change affect Chhath?
UK clocks go back early Sunday, 26 Oct. Kharna (26), Sandhya (27) and Usha (28) are on GMT. Sunset appears earlier—plan accordingly.
Where are popular London ghats?
Victoria Park, Barking Park Lake, Valentines Park, Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp), and permitted Thames stretches (only if organisers/authorities approve). Use the map links above and follow 2025 announcements.
Are diyas allowed in UK parks?
Often restricted to designated flame zones; many parks prefer battery tealights, especially in wind. Follow organiser and park staff instructions.
What should go in the soop?
Thekua; fruits (banana, coconut, sweet lime, apple, pomegranate); radish; sugarcane; diya/wicks/oil; lota/kalash; flowers; akshat; red cloth—adjust to your family tradition.
Is the nirjala fast mandatory for everyone?
No. Only vratis observe the ~36‑hour nirjala fast. Children, elders, and those with health conditions should not fast. Consult your GP if unsure.
Can I bring a drone?
Generally no. Most UK parks disallow drones without permits; flights near crowds are unsafe. Leave drones at home unless organisers explicitly permit with local authority approval.
Conclusion & Blessings
Now you have a complete, UK‑specific plan for Chhath Puja 2025—dates, timing, the BST→GMT change, step‑by‑step rituals, vrati checklists, ghat map links, transport options, and safety/eco guidance. With Sandhya/Usha expected on 27–28 October (GMT), set your reminders, share this with family and friends across the UK, and start your 30/14/7‑day prep today.
May your offerings be serene, your family safe and warm, and your prasad sweet and abundant. Chhathi Maiya ki jai!