Chhath Puja: Lakhs of people throng ghats across India to feast third day of festival
Chhath Puja: Lakhs of people throng ghats across India to feast third day of festival
Patna: Lakhs of devotees on Sunday suggested prayers to the Sun on the ghats of the Ganga and other rivers and water bods across Bihar on the occasion of Chhath. In Patna, fasting guys and women thronged the ghats of the Ganga and stood in waist-deep water to suggest prayers to the setting Sun.
The state government made taut security arrangement for a sleek Chhath Puja on the third day of the four-day festival which began on Friday. Family members and relatives were seen assisting the ‘Vratis’- those suggesting ‘arghya’ (obeisance) to the deity with home-made ‘thekua’, fruits, sugarcane and coconuts.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accompanied by ministers and senior officials, tested the ghats and railed a motorboat in the Ganga from Nasriganj to Gaighat and sought blessings of the ‘Vratis’ for the well-being of the state, an official statement said.
Devotees adoring on the occasion of the Chatt festival at Boat Club in Fresh Delhi on Sunday. PTI
Chhath Puja was held at 1, Aney Marg, official residence of the chief minister, where Nitish Kumar’s Bhabi did the puja, which was more or less a private affair. In a departure, the family of Kumar’s ally and RJD leader Lalu Prasad is not celebrating ‘Chhath’ at his ten Circular Road residence, which used to be the centre of media attention every year.
A hefty rush of devotees were seen on the banks of the Ganga during evening ‘Arghya’ in Patna. Similar scenes were witnessed in the districts, reports said. After completion of evening ‘arghya’, devotees would comeback tomorrow morning before sunrise to suggest ‘arghya’.
Elaborate arrangements were made by the municipal authorities to spruce up ghats across the city and roads leading to them. The ghats were barricaded to enable the worshippers and their families suggest prayers in an orderly manner, official sources said.
Out of the capital’s one hundred one ghats, twenty ghats have been proclaimed ‘dangerous’ as various observe towers and CCTVs have been installed to keep a close vigil. "I am very blessed to see the arrangement. Ghats are cleaned and have decent lighting. Makeshift switching rooms have been made for devotees. Regular announcements are being made to remain alert," said Abhishek Kumar, who came from Mumbai to his sister’s house in Patna to participate in the festival.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been posted at the ghats with boats and other equipment for rescue and ease operations, if needed, NDRF official sources said. Patna city has been decorated with lights for the occasion, especially the roads leading to ghats. Patna Electrified Supply Undertaking has made special prep for provding unhindered power supply.
Published Date: Nov 06, two thousand sixteen 07:44 pm | Updated Date: Nov 06, two thousand sixteen 07:44 pm