Chhath Puja: What Men Wear to the Ghat

Chhath is the festival of the family, and for many Purvanchali families in Delhi it is the most important days of the year. A few days after Diwali, the family goes to the ghat or the water's edge at sunset and again at sunrise, carrying the offerings. The devotee who fasts leads, and the men of the house carry, prepare and stand beside.

This guide is about the men who walk beside the fasting family member. We are a kurta shop, not a priest, so we keep to what we know: how to dress simply, comfortably and with respect for the day. Your family's own customs always come first.

What the day asks of your clothes

Chhath is long, early and often cold in Delhi. You will carry baskets, walk on uneven ground, stand near water and wait in the dark before sunrise. So the clothes should be clean, simple and comfortable, and you should not mind if they get splashed. This is not the day for heavy embroidery or anything delicate.

Colours that suit the day

Light, calm colours are the usual choice: white, cream, pale yellow, saffron and soft blues. Many families avoid black on this occasion. A solid colour, a fine stripe or a small check is easier than a loud print. The Powder Blue Plain, ₹1,900, and the Golden Marigold Self-Stripe, ₹1,900, are both calm and comfortable.

A Pathani for the cold morning

A Pathani has a loose, easy cut and a salwar, which makes it comfortable for a long walk and a long wait. The Pale Yellow Pathani and the Ivory Pathani, both ₹2,200, suit the day and sit easily over a warm layer. See the Pathani collection for more.

Layering for early mornings

Delhi mornings in the week after Diwali are cool, and the water's edge is cooler. Wear a plain warm layer under the kurta, and carry a plain shawl or stole in a quiet colour that you can set aside. Keep your footwear simple and easy to remove. Flat, comfortable sandals or chappals are better than new shoes on a wet and uneven ghat.

The whole family, together

Chhath is also a family photograph, so many families choose one colour family for everyone: cream and yellow for the men, saffron and red for the women. Both our shops carry kurtas for boys and babies and plus sizes up to 6XL, coming online soon, so you can dress three generations in one visit. Message us on WhatsApp with the sizes.

If you are the one carrying the baskets

The men of the family often carry the baskets, the lamps and the water, and walk back and forth to the ghat. Choose a kurta with room across the shoulders and sleeves you can push up. Keep the pajama easy at the ankle, so it does not drag on wet ground. Leave the watch and any wallet that matters in a bag held by someone who is not near the water.

Before the day

Try the kurta on and wash it according to the care label. Our product pages advise dry cleaning for the first wash, so allow time for it. Iron it the evening before, and keep a spare in case the water or the cold gets to the first. Online sizes run 38 to 44, with the real chest, length, shoulder and sleeve listed on each page. For white and cream pieces, see our white and off-white collection, and for the full week around Diwali, read what to wear on each of the five days.

Questions we hear at the counter

Also see: puja kurtas.