Kathmandu – Today marks the main day of the Chhath Festival, a significant celebration dedicated to worshipping the Sun God.
The festival is being observed with great enthusiasm, especially in the Terai-Madhes regions and various parts of Kathmandu. In observance of the festival, the government has declared a public holiday.
Devotees observe strict fasting, refraining from even drinking water, and head to nearby water bodies like ponds, wells, and lakes in the evening to offer prayers to the setting sun.
Offerings prepared for the Sun God are dipped into the water as part of the ritual. Some devotees stay in the water all night, performing the “Arghya” at sunrise.
The evening is filled with devotional songs, dances, and rituals, with the water ghats being decorated like brides. Worshipers pray to Goddess Shashthi for the well-being of their families, especially for children and husbands. It is believed that fulfilling the vows during this festival will bring blessings and fulfill wishes, including curing ailments like skin diseases.
While traditionally celebrated in the Terai, Chhath has increasingly been observed in other parts of the country as well. The festival lasts for four days and includes a series of fasting and bathing rituals, as well as the preparation of special offerings like khir made from milk, rice, and sugar.
Chhath is an ancient festival that involves worshiping the Sun God and is celebrated twice a year during the months of Chaitra and Kartik. Devotees believe that observing the proper rituals during the festival can eliminate all hardships and bring prosperity.
The festival is also marked by the offering of fruits, such as sugarcane, bananas, and coconuts, as well as clay items like elephants and traditional vessels. In Kathmandu, popular locations for Chhath celebrations include Rani Pokhari, Gaurighat, and various ponds and riverbanks, where people gather to pray for family welfare and prosperity.
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