Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). The four-day grand festival of worship of Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya, Dala Chhath, began on Friday with Nahai-Khaay. Preparations have intensified at the Ganga Ghats, Kunds and ponds of Kashi for this grand festival of folk faith. The fasting women and their families have started making altars for worship on the banks of the Ganga. At the same time, the process of arrival of devotees from different states of the country as well as from abroad has started for Chhath Puja and Ganga bath in the month of Kartik. Information has come to light about the arrival of more than 20 families from America, England, Australia, Norway and Dubai in Varanasi.
The main rituals of Chhath Puja will be held on 15th and 16th November. Arghya will be offered to the setting sun on Sunday, while the four-day grand festival will conclude with offering Arghya to the rising sun on Monday morning. For Chhath Puja, devotees have started marking the places of worship and making altars at 84 Ganga Ghats of Varanasi. Securing a place for worship is considered important in the tradition of Chhath Puja. President of Bhojpuri Samaj Kashi, Somnath Ojha and Secretary Ashok Pandey said that raw ghats are being prepared in an area of ​​about three kilometers long from Vishvasundari Bridge to Ravidas Ghat.
For the safe movement of devotees, the ghats are being levelled. Arrangements are being made on the ghats by filling sand in bags as per requirement so that the devotees and their families do not face any problem during the puja. Keeping in view the possibility of a large number of devotees reaching the Ganga ghats during Chhath Puja, the puja committees have made extensive preparations.
According to the committee officials, about five thousand volunteers will be deployed to help the devotees and maintain the smooth arrangements at the ghats. Some committees associated with Dev Deepawali from Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat will also cooperate in the arrangements for Chhath Puja. The district administration and puja committees are busy finalizing the preparations at the ghats. This time, devotees are also arriving from abroad to celebrate Daala Chhath in Kashi. According to Ashok Pandey, Secretary of Bhojpuri Samaj Kashi, information has been received about more than 20 families coming to Varanasi from America, England, Australia, Norway and Dubai. Some of these families have already reached Kashi, while others are expected to reach by Friday evening. Apart from this, devotees from various states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are also coming to Varanasi for Chhath Puja. Information has been given about more than five thousand devotees coming from outside staying with their relatives, acquaintances and in various ashrams of the city. 13th November Friday Nahai Khay The four-day grand festival started with Nahai-Khai. The fasting women will consume gourd-rice with purity after bathing and worship. 14th November Saturday Kharna On the second day, the fasting people will fast the whole day. After taking prasad including jaggery kheer in the evening, the Nirjala fast of about 36 hours will begin.
15th November Sunday evening arghya: On the third day, fasting women and men will reach the banks of Ganga ghats, ponds and lakes and offer arghya to the setting sun. 16th November Monday Usha arghya: On the fourth day, after offering arghya to the rising sun, the fasting people will break their fast. With this, the four-day long Chhath Mahaparva will conclude. Along with the Ganga ghats, preparations for Chhath Puja are also underway at Varuna ghat. Arrangements for decoration, accommodation and food are being made for the devotees here.
Laxman Singh, President of Shri Hanuman Mandir Vikas Samiti, said that five types of fruits will be distributed to needy families on the occasion of Chhath Puja. Five quintals of fruits have been arranged for this. Arrangements are also being made by the committee for the convenience of devotees coming from far-off places. Religious activities have increased on the Ganga Ghats of Kashi for Dala Chhath. Devotees are busy in securing places for worship, making altars and other preparations. In the great festival of Chhath, by worshipping Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya, the happiness and prosperity of the children, well-being of the family and well-being are prayed for.
The number of devotees at the ghats is likely to increase further in the coming two days, hence the puja committees and the administration are busy in completing the arrangements related to cleanliness, levelling of the ghats and convenience of the devotees.