The four-day-long Chhath Puja commenced in the district with thousands of devotees observing the ritual of Nahay-Khay on Sunday.
One the first day of the festival, the devotees paid obeisance to the Sun in river Ib and other water bodies of Brajrajnagar, Belpahar, Bandhbahal and Jharsuguda.
Devotees took a holy dip in the river and cooked special foods on the occasion. Traditionally, women prepare boiled rice and pumpkin on the day of Nahay Khay.
Around three decades back, the festival was observed by the Bihari people in the district but over the years it has been internalised by Odia, Marwari and Bengali communities. The festival concludes after offering Arghya to the Sun.
Jharsuguda Municipality Chairperson Harish Ganatra, Brajrajnagar Municipality Chairperson NK Agarwal and Belpahar Municipality Chairperson PR Sahu have assured to make proper arrangements for the festival to be celebrated without any undesirable incidents. "We have cleaned and made necessary arrangements in various ponds for devotees who can perform this auspicious festival," they said.