Patna, Nov 11 (UNI) Lakhs of devotees took holy dip in various rivers including
most sacred Ganga, ponds and reservoirs across Bihar as the festival of Chhath,
known for its austerity and piousness began today.
On the first day of the festival known as 'Nahai Khai', devotees after taking a
dip in various rivers, ponds and reservoirs carried water to their houses for
preparing offerings. They cleaned houses and surroundings to create a pious
atmosphere for the festival.
Devotees will once again take a holy dip in various rivers, ponds and reservoirs
on the second day of the four day Chhath festival, known as 'Kharna or Lauhanda'
before cooking special food (Prasad) for the worship of Sun God in the evening.
After the worship of Sun God, offerings of kheer (rice delicacy), ‘puris’ and
bananas will be distributed among family members and friends.
Devotees or ‘vratis’ will keep a day long fast for the occasion but more strenuous
36-hour fast would begin after they would eat second day evening Prasad.
Devotees would spend the third day of festival in preparation of ‘Prasad’ including
traditional offering ‘Thekua’ and would also offer ‘arghya’ (offerings) to setting sun
on the banks of various rivers and other water bodies.
On the final day of four day Chhath festival, known as 'Paran', devotees will offer
‘Arghya’ to rising sun, making it sure that they repeat their religious chores at same
places where they performed evening 'Araghya'.
The festival concludes with breaking of the fast by devotee or vratis. Relatives
and friends visit houses of the devotees to receive ‘prasad’.
Meanwhile, former chief minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad`s wife Rabri Devi
is not celebrating Chhath festival this year as she is upset over her eldest son
Tej Pratap Yadav filing a divorce petition against her wife Aishwarya Ray only
nearly eight months after the marriage solemnised with much fanfare.
UNI DH BM