Chhath Puja Dress Guide — What to Wear

For the vrati (women)

Women keeping the fast traditionally wear a new, unstitched cotton saree — often yellow, orange, red or with a bright border — worn in the traditional style without a stitched blouse in some families. Orange sindoor from the forehead to the tip of the nose is a distinctive Chhath custom for married women.

For the vrati (men)

Men keeping the fast wear a plain dhoti, usually white or yellow, and may go bare-chested or with a cotton shawl.

For the family

Family members wear clean, simple traditional clothes — kurta-pyjama, salwar suits or sarees. New clothes are common, but comfort at the ghat matters: you will be standing for a long time, often near water, and the dawn arghya can be cold in November.

Purity matters more than fashion

• Clothes should be freshly washed (or new) and not worn while eating non-satvik food.
• Leather is usually avoided.
• Many families walk barefoot to the ghat.

Practical tips abroad

At artificial ponds or lakes in colder countries, carry a warm shawl, a change of clothes and a towel for the vrati after standing in water.

Colours and their meaning

Bright, warm colours — yellow, orange, red and saffron — are associated with the Sun and with auspiciousness, which is why they are popular at Chhath. Many women choose a yellow or orange saree with a red border for the arghya. Black and dark blue are usually avoided for the puja.

Sindoor and shringar

Married women apply a long line of orange sindoor from the forehead down to the nose — a distinctive Chhath custom said to bless the husband's long life. Bangles, a nose ring and alta (red dye) on the feet complete the traditional look. Unmarried girls and children wear simple new clothes.

What to carry to the ghat

• A spare set of dry clothes and a towel for the vrati
• A warm shawl — November dawns can be cold, especially standing in water
• A mat or sheet to sit on while waiting
• A torch for the pre-dawn walk
• A clean bag to bring back all plastic and waste

Men's dress

Men accompanying the family usually wear a kurta-pyjama or dhoti-kurta. Men who keep the vrat wear a simple dhoti, often new and unstitched, and may go barefoot to the ghat as a sign of devotion.