Devotees across India gathered at riverbanks to offer Arghya to the rising Sun. This ritual marks the final day of Chhath Puja. After making the offering, families pray to Chhatti Maiya for the protection and happiness of their children and loved ones.
Joy and Prayers at Major Locations
In Delhi, devotees gathered at several key spots, including Kalindi Kunj, ITO, and Geeta Colony, to offer Surya Arghya. One devotee at Geeta Colony shared, “I have gathered here with my whole family to celebrate the occasion. We are all very excited that we could celebrate the whole festival.” Additionally, another devotee remarked, “We celebrated the festival beautifully. We prayed for the prosperity of our family, relatives, and ourselves.”
Excitement Throughout the Year
Meanwhile, devotees in Gorakhpur expressed their excitement. A devotee at Guru Gorakhnath Ghat explained, “We stay excited for Chhath Puja all year. We fast for Chhath Maa, take a shower, and offer food. On the second day, we serve ‘dala’ to our son and pray for the well-being of our children and families.” Clearly, this festival holds deep significance for many.
Devotees Across the Country
Similarly, in Patna, people gathered at Patna College Ghat and Digha Ghat to offer Surya Arghya. In Noida, devotees gathered at Sector 21 stadium. In Kolkata, women offered Surya Arghya together. Moreover, large crowds assembled at Ganga Ghats in Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, marking the widespread devotion across regions.
Chhath Puja Rituals and Meaning
Chhath lasts four days, starting with Nahay-Khay on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha. Then, the festival continues with Kharna on Panchami Tithi and Chhath Puja on Sashti. Finally, it concludes with Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi. Throughout the celebration, devotees fast to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
Ultimately, Chhath is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, along with diaspora communities from these regions. Thus, the festival continues to be a deeply rooted tradition for many people across the world.