With the CM appealing to people to perform Chhath Puja rituals from home due to the pandemic, Chaath devotees across the State capital are gearing up to pay obeisance to the Sun god from the safety of their homes. The four- day long festival will begin on Wednesday with Nahay Khay while the main offering to the deity –arghya will take place on November 20.
While on one hand devotees are not keen to step out this year, they are also of the opinion that visiting a water body or Chhath ghat makes one feel closer to nature.
“The atmosphere at a ghat where one goes to offer arghya is something that cannot be put in words. This is the first time I shall do the puja from home otherwise we generally go to Ruka Dam or Hatia Dam. Since we have a joint family with around six of us observing the festival, we bought a big tub about 4 feet deep to offer our prayers which we have installed in our garden. Visiting a ghat also makes you feel closer to nature but it is also very important to take precautions during these tough times,” said home maker Kanchan Gupta.
“Like so many other things, the pandemic has greatly affected the festivals as well. This year while some people have dropped their plans of observing Chhath Puja others have decided to do it from the safety of their homes.
For us the festival will be a quiet affair without a gathering of friends and family. Even relatives living far off have not come home for the puja as they do not want to travel amidst the pandemic. Unlike every other year, shopping for fruits and necessities for the festival has also proven to be a tough task,” said City based research scholar, Vasudha Singh.
Meanwhile, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Mayor Asha Lakra conducted a review meeting regarding the cleanliness of the City, ponds and reservoirs as well as supply of water in the temporary water bodies being constructed in various parts of the City ahead of the Chhath festival on Tuesday. Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargiya, Assistant Public Health Officer Kiran Kumari, ward councilors, zonal supervisors and other officials were present for the meeting.
In the meeting it was decided that the work of cleaning water bodies, proper lighting and beautification work at Chhath ghats will continue while efforts will be made to provide water through tankers available with RMC at places of worship. Directives were also issued to ensure cleanliness of all wards and instructions were also given to remove supervisors failing to perform their duties.
In case of any problem related to cleanliness or water supply, residents can lodge a complaint with the number RMC number 9431104429. For zone wise complaints, residents can contact Anil Kumar- 7991134806 in zone 1, Shankar Kumar- 8789195916 in zone 2, Birendra Kumar- 8709041717 in zone 3 and on 9693128344 in zone 4 for cleanliness.