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NEW DELHI: The four-day Chhath Puja festival started on Tuesday with the Nahay Khay ritual, the first day of the celebration.
During Nahay Khay, observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, devotees cleanse themselves and prepare for the festival. Following Nahay Khay are Kharna on Panchami Tithi, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and lastly, Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi, culminating the festivities on November 8.
Chhath Puja is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees in these states and the national capital were seen performing rituals at Yamuna and Ganga ghats Tuesday morning.
Chhath Puja is a significant festival involving strict rituals and fasting. It expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
One devotee performing puja at Kalindi Kunj Ghat said, “After taking a holy dip in the ghat and performing puja rituals, we prepare simple food—‘ghiya sabzi‘ (bottle guard) and ‘aloo gobi sabzi’ along with chana dal.”
Devotees participated in puja and were seen applying red tilak to each other’s foreheads.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi reviewed Chhath Puja preparations at ITO ghat on Monday. She stated that Chhath ghats are being prepared at over 1,000 locations. A public holiday has been declared for November 7 in observance of Chhath Puja.
Indian Railways announced special train services across the country to ensure safe travel for passengers going to their hometowns for Chhath Puja.
The festival has a high participation rate of women and is considered a time to take a break from household chores. It is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal.
