One of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh's major festivals, Chhath Puja is being celebrated from November 5-8 this year. Beginning with Nahay Khay on November 5, the festival enters its second day on November 6 with Kharna or Lohanda rituals, followed by Sandha Arghya (evening offering to Sun) on November 7 and Usha Arghya (morning offering to Sun) on November 8.

Chhath Mahaparv is celebrated every year on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Month of Kartik. Chhath is an ancient festival dedicated to Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiyya, wherein people pray for the well-being and prosperity of their loved ones. They also express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.

Chhath Puja concludes with Usha Arghya where prayers are offered to the rising Sun, holding the soop filled with prasad, standing knee-deep in water. Prasad items include Thekua, coconut, fruits, daabh nimbu (lemon), khajoor (dates), rasiya kheer, sugarcane among other items.

This year Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya will be performed on November 7 and November 8 respectively.

Here are timings and shubh muhurat for performing Usha Arghya across different USA time zones (ET, CT, MT, PT)