Chhath week 2026: a day-by-day train calendar for Bihar and UP
A day-by-day train calendar for Chhath 2026 in Bihar and UP: when the rush starts, which stations to compare, example trains and what to book now.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 5 min read
The short answer
Chhath is celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, around mid-November this year. Trains to and from these states fill up in the days before the festival and stay busy for several days after. Book the outward and return journeys separately, and book now. The advance reservation period is 60 days, excluding the journey day, so journeys up to 25 December 2026 can be booked as of 26 October 2026.
Confirm the dates before you fix leave
Chhath follows the lunar calendar, so we do not give fixed dates here. The four days of the festival are Nahay Khay, Kharna, the evening arghya and the morning arghya. Our Diwali 2026 travel guide uses 8 November 2026 for Diwali, which puts Chhath in mid-November. Confirm the exact days in a Bihar government notice or an official calendar before you book.
Once the dates are confirmed, count back from Nahay Khay for the outward journey and forward from the morning arghya for the return. The calendar below uses those reference points, so you can line it up with your own dates.
A day-by-day travel calendar
Each row describes how travel usually moves around the festival. The timings are patterns, not promises, so treat them as a guide for planning rather than a forecast for any one train.
| When | What usually happens on the trains | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Now, while the booking window is open | Mid-November dates are already bookable, and demand builds as the window fills. | Book the outward journey first, then the return. Compare at least three trains. |
| About a week before Nahay Khay | The outward rush starts. Waiting lists grow first on the busiest routes. | Check confirmation chances in the trip planner, and keep a backup train on the same day. |
| The two or three days before Nahay Khay | The outward peak, when most people leave for their home districts. | Reach the station early, and check the live status of your train that morning. |
| Nahay Khay to the evening arghya | Families are at home. Stations stay busy, but the flow usually eases. | Avoid planning a return on the arghya day itself if you can choose another date. |
| From the morning arghya for two or three days | The return rush begins, and it can be more concentrated than the outward one. | Hold a return ticket booked in advance, and look at alternate stations for the same day. |
| Once the return rush settles | Trains ease, and seats become easier to find. | If your return is flexible, a later date can be a good option. |
Which stations to compare in Bihar and UP
Many routes can reach the same city from more than one station. Compare the nearby options, because a train into a different station can save you a long trip across town. The train counts below come from our database and show how many trains call at each station.
| Station | Area | Trains in our database |
|---|---|---|
| Patna Jn (PNBE) | Patna city | 332 |
| Danapur (DNR) | Patna area | 208 |
| Rajendra Nagar Terminal (RJPB) | Patna area | 101 |
| Gaya Jn (GAYA) | Gaya | 234 |
| Chhapra (CPR) | Chhapra | 218 |
| Sasaram (SSM) | Sasaram | 152 |
| Muzaffarpur Jn (MFP) | North Bihar | 212 |
| Darbhanga Jn (DBG) | North Bihar | 142 |
| Varanasi (BSB) | Eastern UP | 292 |
For Patna, Patna Junction is the main station, but Danapur and Rajendra Nagar Terminal are also in the Patna area. Check trains to each, then decide which is closest to where you are going. A train to a second station can also be a fallback if the first one is full.
Example trains from our database
The table shows example trains between major cities and Bihar or UP stations, with the departure and arrival times our database lists for those stations. These are a starting point, not a timetable. Several of these trains do not run daily, so the running days are shown in the last column; check them on each train's page before you book.
| Train | From | To | Departs | Arrives | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12304 Poorva Express | New Delhi | Patna Jn | 17:40 | 06:48 | Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun |
| 12306 Kolkata Rajdhani | New Delhi | Patna Jn | 16:50 | 04:18 | Fri |
| 20802 Magadh Express | New Delhi | Rajendra Nagar Terminal | 21:05 | 12:51 | Daily |
| 12023 Janshatabdi Express | Howrah Jn | Patna Jn | 14:05 | 22:20 | Mon to Sat |
| 12566 Bihar S Kranti | New Delhi | Darbhanga Jn | 12:45 | 09:35 | Daily |
| 12382 Poorva Express | New Delhi | Varanasi | 17:40 | 04:35 | Mon, Tue, Fri |
| 12301 Rajdhani Express | Howrah Jn | Gaya Jn | 16:50 | 22:32 | Mon to Sat |
Use the trip planner to compare trains from New Delhi to Patna, which shows seat availability and confirmation chances for the date you pick.
Booking and waiting lists
Book the return as early as the outward journey. The return can be the leg where confirmed seats are harder to find, so do not leave it for later. Check at least three trains and one alternate station for each leg.
- The first reservation chart is prepared at least 10 hours before departure. If you are waitlisted, check again that evening.
- Waitlisted tickets are not confirmed until a chart is made. Read our waiting list confirmation guide before you rely on one.
- A RAC ticket gives you a seat share, which is not the same as a berth of your own.
- If your destination is near another station, alternate boarding stations can open up seats.
Our Chhath 2026 booking plan covers the same booking rules in more detail, and the return leg guide focuses on the journey home.
Crowd and safety advice
- Reach the station early. How early to reach the station explains the usual margin.
- Keep valuables close, and do not leave bags unattended on the platform. Our guide on keeping valuables safe on an overnight train has the basics.
- Ignore unsolicited offers of help at the station. How to avoid touts and scams lists the common ones.
- For help during the journey, call 139. For ticket queries, IRCTC customer care is 14646.
A checklist before you leave
- Confirm the Chhath dates from an official notice.
- Book the outward and return journeys now, each with a backup train.
- Check the running days of every train on its page.
- Look at two stations in the same city, and keep the one you can reach most easily.
- Check the live status of your train on the morning of travel.
Where is your train right now?
Live position, expected arrival at every stop and the delay history of the last few weeks.
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
When is Chhath in 2026?
Around mid-November 2026, about a week after Diwali on 8 November by our calendar. The festival follows the lunar calendar, so confirm the exact days in an official notice before you fix your leave.
How far ahead can I book for Chhath?
The advance reservation period is 60 days, excluding the journey day. As of 26 October 2026, journeys up to 25 December 2026 can be booked, which covers every mid-November date.
Which station should I choose in Patna?
Patna Junction is the main station, but Danapur and Rajendra Nagar Terminal are also in the Patna area. Compare trains to each one, and pick the station closest to where you are going.
What if my ticket is on the waiting list?
Check your confirmation chances before you book, and check your status again after the reservation chart is made. A waitlisted ticket can move up, but a backup train on the same day is the safer plan.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 26 October 2026.
