Bokaro city wore a festive look as rituals for the ‘Chhath’ festival began on Wednesday. Following the Naha-Kha rites, the devotees took bath in their homes this year instead of going to nearby rivers or ponds due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The devotees took bath in the hope that they will wash away their sins and cleanse their homes thoroughly. After taking a bath, the devotees prepare traditional vegetarian meals and offer it to the Sun God.
The rituals of ‘Chhath’ usually consists of fasting, folklore, hymns, together on the banks of the freshwater body, said Mamta a devotee performing the festival at City Center in Bokaro.
“It is commonly believed that the wishes of the devotees are always granted. Also, the devotees dread the punishment for any misdeed during Chhath,” she added. Ahead of the festival several items including fruits and vegetables have flooded into the market. Prices of sugarcane and banana which are the most sacred offerings during Arghya to Sun God reached a new height across the district.
The prices of all other essential including fruits and vegetables also have gone up; devotees are facing the usual pocket pinch in buying the essentials, including 'soop' and 'daura', required for the rituals.
Banana is being sold at about Rs 80 – Rs 120 a dozen while other fruits like apple, guava, pomegranate, singhara (paniphal) have also gone up. Banana which earlier was available at Rs 25- 30 now being sold in the range of Rs 80 to Rs 125 a dozen, said Sonu a fruit seller at City Center.
“Similarly, the price of apple has gone up from Rs 70 per kgs to Rs 130 per kgs, pomegranate which was available Rs 120 per kgs now being sold at Rs 180 to Rs 210 per kgs,” he added.