Standing waist-deep in water for the longevity and well-being of their family members, thousands of devotees on Thursday offered prayers to the Sun God on the last day of the four-day Chhath Puja celebrations in the city.
The banks of River Subarnarekha and Kharkai were abuzz with activities as devotees headed towards the ‘ghats’ from Wednesday afternoon.
Thousands of devotees offered Rs Rs AraghyaRs Rs to the setting sun at various ghats in Mango, Adityapur, Baghbera, Sidhgora. However, ghats at Adityapur and Mango like always witnessed the maximum devotees.
Several temporary canopies were also put up by city-based social and cultural organisations to lend help and essential commodities to the devotees and fast observers. Moreover, the district administration had deployed police personnel and emergency services like an ambulance at riverbanks.
Some ardent devotees in Bagbera covered the entire route from their respective residences to the riverbanks stretching the body on the ground.
A medical team and an ambulance were deployed at Subernarekha ghat and Bodhanwala Ghat to meet emergencies. Danger zones were demarcated with red flags and ropes at various river ghats by Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) while local divers were also deployed at Subernarekha ghat and Domuhani.
"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 friends," said Nisha Sinha, a housewife.
Lakhs of devotees offered prayers after taking dip in rivers. The festival is also believed to be of truth, non-violence, forgiveness and compassion.
Devotees after offering salutations to the Sun indulge in singing folklores, hymns from Rig Veda for the better upkeep of their family. One of the popular beliefs associated with the festival is that worshiping Sun helps in curing diseases such as leprosy and ensures longevity of family and friends.
Youth attacked with bomb at Chhath ghat
Jamshedpur. A youth named Vicky Nandi, who was returning from Beldih Chhath Ghat under Adityapur police station, was attacked by miscreants with bullets and bombs. During the incident, two women including his relative Kriti received a splinter from the bomb. Vicky Nandi along with his partner was sitting in his car after offering Arghya to the rising sun when someone attacked him with bombs and bullets.
After the incident, the girl was taken to Tata Main Hospital for treatment where her condition is said to be out of danger. On the other hand, Adityapur police reached the spot as soon as the information about the matter was received and have started investigating the matter. Adityapur police station in-charge Alok Dubey said that while returning from Chhath Ghat, the woman got hurt in her leg. The shell has been recovered from the spot.