Patna/Gaya:
The three-day long Chhath puja concluded with thousands
of devotees offering prayers to Sun God across India.
Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad performed prayers
with family on the last day of Chhath Puja on Wednesday
in Patna. Terming the fast as difficult, Lalu expressed
happiness at the festival being performed with great
fanfare across the country. Meanwhile, in Gaya, a
French woman also took part in Chhath celebrations
along with thousands of locals.
Chatth Puja is performed with utmost religious fervour,
for three successive days after a week-long gap from
Diwali, the festival of lights.
Lalu
Prasad along with his wife Rabri Devi and children
celebrated the Chatth at his residence in Patna. Terming
the fasts that the devotees observe for two days of
Chhath Puja as difficult, Lalu expressed happiness
at the festival being performed with great fanfare
across the country. "Chatth Puja has come to an end
with the final Arghya (ritual offering) to Sun God.
Pure water of River Ganga and cow's milk with fruits
and flowers have been offered to the Sun. This auspicious
festival celebrated by the people with great enthusiasm
all over the land and it is a difficult fast to follow.
The women will worship and after that prasad will
be distributed. We have wished for the peace, prosperity,
amity and brotherhood in the country," said Lalu Prasad.
Alongside,
other devout people across Bihar also hailed the festival,
significant for married women who observe a two-day
fast and offer prayers standing waist-deep in water
for at least two hours and offer fruits and flowers
to Surya, the Sun God. "This is the festival of worship
of Sun God which we celebrate for the prosperity of
our family. We observe fast during Chatth Puja praying
to Sun God to usher prosperity in our family and in
country," said Sunita Devi, a devotee. Chhath is celebrated
to thank Sun God for bestowing the bounties of life
and other assets on the Earth. Devotees take bath
at Ghats or riverbanks and pay obeisance to both the
rising and the setting sun during the festival, which
is celebrated on the sixth and seventh day after Diwali.
Dancing to the tunes of the devotional hymns and songs,
people offer fruits and flowers to please the Sun
God.
-Nov 5, 2008
