Lakhs pray to rising Sun as Chhath ends

Patna: The four-day Chhath festival concluded on Wednesday with devotees offering “arghya” to the Sun God braving early morning chill. An overcast sky failed to dampen the spirit of Chhath devotees who had to wait some extra time for paying obeisance to the rising sun.
The devotees were ready with their offerings at the ghats much before sunrise. A confusion whether or not to offer ‘arghya’ prevailed in the morning when the Sun was not visible due to fog and clouds.While some people waited till the Sun God peeped through the clouds, others called up priests and asked for the sunrise timings while a few offered the ‘arghya’ after the break of daylight.
Lakhs of devotees thronged the banks of the Ganga and other lakes and ponds across the city on Tuesday and Wednesday to observe the annual “mahaparv”. “I have been observing Chhath for the last seven-eight years and all my wishes have been granted,” Patel Nagar resident Gayatri Devi told TOI.
Chhath was also celebrated in a grand way at 10, Circular Road residence of former chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. While Rabri observed the fast, her daughters, sons and other relatives helped her with the rituals. CM Nitish Kumar extended warm greetings to the people of Bihar on Chhath and prayed for Bihar’s prosperity.
Festive mood prevailed on the banks of the Ganga with a number of “vratis” reaching the ghats accompanied by drum beats and other musical instruments. Festive greetings by sponsors had been put alongside the approach roads to the ghats. ‘Thekua’, ‘kasaar’ and fruits were distributed among friends and families after the puja. With the Ganga shifting away from the city and pollution level in the river bodies and community ponds reaching alarming levels, the last few years have seen an increase in the number of people observing Chhath rituals on their rooftops.
The four-day celebrations commenced with “nahay-khay” on Sunday while the second day was marked by “kharna Prasad” preparation and distribution which included “kheer” and chapattis. A number of people in Bihar, who do not observe the rituals themselves, give “soop” to someone observing the festival. In fact, many “parvatains” usually perform the festival on behalf of their relatives and friends.
Idols of the Sun God were also installed at a few places in the city, including at Kurji Mor and near Bansghat. Contemporary messages were also displayed along with the idols. “This is one festival when even before bidding adieu to Chhathi Maiya, I wait for her arrival next year,” said Mansi Kumari, a Maner resident who was at the Kurji ghat on Tuesday evening. The state capital wore a sleepy look post the celebrations on Wednesday.