Prayagraj: Elaborate preparations have been made for Chhath festival to be observed from Nov 13 to 16 in Sangam city.
The festival will begin with Nahay Khay on Friday (Nov
- followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, Usha Arghya and Paran. In view of the upcoming four-day festival, the district administration has intensified preparations to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees at Sangam and Yamuna river banks (ghats). Senior police and administrative officials have focused on crowd and traffic management at ghats and even conducted an on-site inspection at the ghats to review the existing arrangements. Officials also issued directives to ensure that tasks including the levelling and cleaning of ghats, removal of silt, repair of damaged roads, potable water, traffic parking, and the installation of lighting were completed within the stipulated time frame. In the city, local markets have transformed into bustling hubs decked with traditional offerings, seasonal produce, and handcrafted bamboo goods for the four-day Chhath Puja festival. Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour said, “On Friday (first Day of festival) will be observed Nahay-Khay where devotees after bathing, particularly those observing the fast, will consume a pure, sattvic meal (like arwa rice, bottle gourd curry, and split Bengal gram or chana dal). On second Day (November
- will be observed Kharna and devotees will observe fast without water (nirjala) for the entire day. In the evening, they will break their fast (paran) by consuming rasiyav (kheer made with jaggery) and roti as prasad. ” The third day (November
- will be observed as Sandhya Arghya. On this day, devotees will visit the banks of a river or pond to offer arghya (oblations) to the setting sun. On this night, the traditions of Kosi Bharai and deepotsav are to be observed. On the fourth day (Nov 16), devotees will observe Usha Arghya and Paran. In the early morning, arghya (Usha Arghya) is offered to the rising sun. Following this, the observers consume prasad to conclude the fast (paran). Stay updated with the latest Prayagraj news. Download the TOI App.