On November 7, 2024, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi actively participated in the Chhath Puja celebrations, performing rituals alongside devotees at the ITO ghat. This marked the third day of the four-day festival, dedicated to worshipping the Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Chhathi Maiya.
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#WATCH | Delhi CM Atishi performs rituals of #ChhathPuja on the third day of Chhath Puja in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/nzZM1wBhTi
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2024
Chhath Puja, primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and among the Purvanchali community in Delhi, involves devotees observing rigorous fasting and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun. The festival commenced on November 5 with ‘Nahay Khay’ and will conclude on November 8 with ‘Usha Arghya’.
In a significant move to honor the cultural importance of Chhath Puja, the Delhi government declared November 7 a public holiday. Chief Minister Atishi stated, “Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare 7th November 2024 as a Public Holiday on account of ‘Chhat Pooja’.”
The Delhi government undertook extensive preparations to facilitate the celebrations, setting up over 1,000 Chhath Ghats across the city. These sites were equipped with clean water, tents, electricity, toilets, security, medical facilities, power backup, and CCTV cameras to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for devotees. Atishi emphasized, “All our ministers and MLAs are inspecting the Chhath ghats…I urge the BJP not to do politics over Chhath puja.”
During the evening ‘Arghya’ on November 7, Atishi joined thousands of devotees at the ITO ghat, offering prayers to the setting sun. She expressed her gratitude to the community for their participation and highlighted the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting cultural traditions. “Chhath Puja is a festival of faith for millions of devotees, and the Delhi Government is committed to ensuring the festival is celebrated with joy and that devotees can worship Chhathi Maiya without any inconvenience,” Atishi remarked.
The festival’s observance in Delhi underscores the city’s cultural diversity and the government’s efforts to support and celebrate the traditions of its diverse population. The active participation of the Chief Minister in the rituals reflects the administration’s dedication to fostering communal harmony and cultural inclusivity.
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As the festival concludes on November 8 with the morning ‘Arghya’, devotees across Delhi will continue to offer prayers, marking the end of this significant cultural event. The government’s initiatives and the community’s enthusiastic participation have contributed to a successful and harmonious celebration of Chhath Puja in the national capital.