Preserve the Tradition
Keep every step of the vrat intact — the vessels, the timing, the songs, the purity of the prasad.
Our Story
Preserving tradition, celebrating devotion
A volunteer-led community keeping the sacred rhythm of Chhath Puja alive in Southern California.
Our Mission
A festival that refused to be left behind
Thousands of miles from the Ganga, the instinct is the same: as Kartik arrives, families begin looking for water. Chhath Puja SoCal exists so that the search ends somewhere organised, safe and full of familiar faces.
We are a volunteer-led group with a deep respect for cultural heritage and a practical commitment to community involvement. No one is paid. Every committee — event organisation, education, community support and cultural programming — is run by devotees who take time off work to make the Arghya happen.
What we protect is not nostalgia. It is a living practice: the 36-hour Nirjala Vrat, the thekua made at home, the soop lifted at the exact moment the sun touches the water — and the children watching, learning the order of it.
4
Days of Ritual
1
Community
∞
Devotion
“The sun does not ask where you are standing. Only that you are standing.”
What We Do
Four commitments we hold to
Everything the committees plan through the year comes back to these.
Serve the Devotee
Make it possible for any family to complete their Arghya, whatever their means or however new they are to California.
Hold the Ghat
Secure clean, safe, permitted water at sunset and sunrise, with light, seating and volunteers on hand.
Pass It On
Teach our children the geet and the meaning behind each ritual, so they carry it forward on their own.
Volunteer-Led
Run entirely by the people who attend
All registered members can volunteer. Pick the committee that suits your time — most roles need only a few hours in the week of the festival.
Event Organisation
Site setup, ghat arrangements, registration, crowd care and clean-up.
Educational Workshops
Teaching children and newcomers the meaning behind each ritual.
Support & Resources
Helping families with puja materials, transport and first-time guidance.
Community Network
Connecting devotees across LA, OC, San Diego, Inland Empire and beyond.
Ready to be part of it?
Register once and you will hear about dates, venues and volunteering the moment they are confirmed.
Gratitude
Held up by our donors and volunteers
Contributions arrive in every size — and each one is recognised. Corporate matching through Benevity doubles many of them.
Community MemberGenerous SupporterDevotee FamilyCorporate SponsorBenevity Match DonorAnonymous FriendSoCal DevoteeFaithful Contributor