A sea of devotees thronged ghats as Chhath Puja entered the third day on Wednesday. With their half-immersed bodies, the devotees offered prayers to Sun God.
Streets alongside the ghats wore a different look on Wednesday as devotees thronged Kondi Canal ghat during late afternoon hours. “Today is Sandhya Arghya (evening prayers), which takes place on the third day of puja. My entire family is here to pray for the well-being of each other. This four-day festival is very important for us,” said Babita Shrivastav, dressed in a neatly-plated pink sari.
The third day also entails Nirjala fast (fast sans food and water) besides the fun and frolic for Chhath devotees.Thekua, kheer, puris, sweets make the Chhath Prasad (offering). Jaggery, rice, wheat, dry fruits and sweets go into the making of this prasad. “The whole day passes in preparing the prasad. We make the offering on an earthen stove and keep it in a bamboo winnow, which is then taken to the ghats. After we offer prasad to lord Surya (Sun God), the prasad is taken back home,” said a devotee.
Other than food and festivity, Chhath Puja is also a time for family reunions. It is at this time of the year when families living miles away meet each other to take part in the ceremonies of Chhath. “Whether or not we are away, Chhath is the time when I definitely come back home for these four days.
Meanwhile, traffic remained heavy on roads like ITO, Bhairon Marg Pontoon Bridge, Agra canal, Badarpur, Bhalaswa lake, Bawana canal, Rainy Well, Shakarpur and IP Estate, Pushta Thokar No.11 in front of Bank Enclave, Haiderpur as devotees headed to the various spots for offering prayers.
Crowds of devotees gathered on the banks of the Yamuna River, lakes and canals to offer prayers to the setting sun. As a part of the four-day festival, people were seen offering prayers at more than 50 major sites across the national Capital. Thus, thousands of devotees thronged to Soor Ghat, Geeta Ghat near ISBT, Purvi Ghat, Kudesiya Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Yamuna Ghat, Hathi Ghat and Kalindi Kunj, among others, to take part in the Chhath ceremonies.
Million faces were all smiles with the Government having announced Chhath as a national holiday. “We are quite happy with the Government’s announcement to make Chhath puja a holiday. Previously we had to ask for a holiday on the occasion, this time it was given to us as the Government kept its promise,” said Suresh Verma.