A four-day Chhath festival, also known as Surya Shasthi, will commence with “Nahay Khay” in Chhattisgarh along with across the country on October 28, said Rajesh Kumar Singh, President, Chhath Mahaparv Aayojan Samiti Mahadev Ghat, Raipur.
The festival will conclude on October 31, Singh told the media. This year the main event will be held at Mahadev Ghat on Kharun river.
After the first day, Kharna ritual will be performed on October 29. Sandhya Arghya will be offered on October 30. Usha Arghya offering will be on October 31, he added.
Chhattisgarhi folk artist Dilip Shadangi, Bhojpuri artist Mohan Rathor, Bhojpuri singer Priyanka Pandey and artists of Sonali and Tarun Chopra group will perform at the Mahadev Ghat on October 30.
Those from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh living in Chhattisgarh will also celebrate it in Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai, Jagdalpur, Korba and other places.
He said Chhath festival is dedicated to Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya to thank them for bestowing the bounties of life on earth.
The festival is also a means of purification of the body, mind and soul due to its rigorous traditions to be followed, he added.