Chief Minister Raghubar Das along with his son lalit Das took part in the Chhath rituals on Surya Mandir premises at Sidhgora along with family of his officer on special duty (OSD) Rakesh Choudhary both on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Talking to the mediapersons CM said, “Chhath is an important part of our culture. We pray the Sun God, the source of energy on earth. My prayers to Sun God are for prosperity and welfare of the masses of Jharkhand and the country.”
Over 5 lakh devotees offered obeisance to Sun on Thursday evening and Friday morning at nearly 20 major ghats across Kharkai and Subernarekha rivers, ponds and on an artificial reservoirs across city.
The Subernarekha Ghat in Sakchi, one of the popular and the biggest venues saw a footfall of over one lakh devotees on both the days. It was abuzz with activities as devotees turned out in large numbers for offering araghya to the Sun on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Meanwhile, on Thursday worshipers proceed to the riverbank bearing their offerings in baskets held high. Further celebrations took place at nightfall under temporary canopies made from sugar cane stalks where offerings were laid out as a tribute to the god of fire.
Before sunrise, worshipers returned to the riverbank to pray to the rising sun; this ritual is considered the focal point of Chhath Puja. Following prayers and the purifying bathing ritual, the fast ended with the offering, or prasad, to the Sun God.
"The festival is a way to thank Sun god for giving us energy. Chhath Puja is performed to promote well being, progress and prosperity of the family, relatives and friend," said a housewife. Several temporary canopies were put by city-based social outfits for lending help and providing essential items to the devotees and fast observers.
Danger zones were also demarcated with red flag bamboo poles and barricaded. Medical team with ambulance was also on the spot. Civil defence personnel were also deployed with life jackets, paddle boats for rescue operations.
Nearly three lakh devotees thronged the Domuhani (called as it is the confluence point of Kharkai and Subernarekha) ghat to offer obeisance . Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco, following directives of the East Singhbhum district administration, had erected temporary bamboo structures as changing rooms for women devotees.
lakhs of devotees offered prayers after taking dip in rivers. The festival is also believed to be of truth, non-violence, forgiveness and compassion.
Meanwhile, after the sandhya arghya on Thursday, the Surya Mandir also witnessed a musical performance by well known playback singer Monali Thakur. About 10,000 music lovers gathered to witness Thakur's performance on her popular numbers.