Bardibas: Preparations for the Chhath festival are in full swing in Madhes Province, following Tihar, as the sacred four-day celebration is set to begin on Tuesday.
Cleaning of nearby water bodies and the construction of ghats for worshipping the sun and Chhathi Mata have gained significant momentum. Markets and public squares are bustling with shops selling both locally produced and imported bananas, while attractive reception gates are being erected throughout the area.
Shops that previously showcased Tihar goods are now being stocked with materials for Chhath Puja, including bamboo woven items like Dhakis, Nanglo, and Supli, as well as clay utensils such as ghailas, Dhaknas, and Palas.
In many places, preparations for Chhath are bolstered by voluntary donations from local devotees. Some regions are also receiving support from local government to enhance the beauty and organization of the festival.
In Bardibas, Chhath Puja preparations have commenced at several ponds, particularly in Ward Nos. 1, 2, and 14. The cleaning and beautification of the old pond near Kameshwarnath Shivalaya in Ward No. 14 are underway, with the puja committee estimating an expenditure of Rs. 600,000 for these efforts. Ward chairman Bijay Mahato stated that preparations are in progress for the construction of 300 Chhath ghats around the pond.
The Mithila Natya Parishad has organized a program to highlight the importance of Mithila culture and the Chhath festival, allocating Rs. 175,000 for this initiative. For the first time, arrangements have been made to offer communal prasad at the Shiva temple complex near the Chhath Pond on Paran, the final day of the fast, with an estimated cost of Rs. 50,000.
Additionally, it is anticipated that Rs. 300,000 will be spent on the reception gate, cleaning, pond decoration, and ghat construction. Most of the funding has been raised through community donations, with a fixed contribution of Rs. 1,000 per ghat for worship. The ward-14 Chhath Puja committee estimates that support will reach Rs. 300,000 from the 300 decorated puja ghats at the pond.
More than 2,000 pilgrims and devotees are expected to participate at this location. “This is a festival of folk faith, and all preparations are being made with collective support,” said ward chair Bijay Mahato, noting that additional assistance will also come from the municipality.
In Bardibas, preparations are similarly underway in areas such as Deurali Pond in Ward No. 1, Buddhachowk Pond in Ward No. 2, and Hamal Pond in Ward No. 14, with the support and initiative of devotees.
Furthermore, efforts to decorate the 3-km reservoir of the Madaha River in Gaushala Municipality for Chhath Puja have intensified. All 15 municipalities in Mahottari are gearing up for the festival, with significant progress being made in cleaning approximately 300 ponds, lakes, and riverbanks across the district, alongside the construction of ghats.
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