Chhath Mahaparv brings fervour, devotion to city

Natives of Bihar residing in the holy city celebrated Chhath Puja at the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) and Durgiana Temple on Monday.

Devotees thronged the water bodies to take a holy dip as part of the festival’s rituals. The celebrations began with ‘Nahay Khay’, followed by prayers and ceremonial rites. In the days leading up to the festival, devotees were seen shopping extensively in local markets.

A large number of temporary shops were set up in the Rambagh market and surrounding areas to cater to the festive crowd.

At Durgiana Temple, devotees mixed holy water with jaggery kheer (prasad), which they consumed to begin their Nirjala fast, a ritual known as ‘Kharna’. This marked the formal beginning of Chhath Mahaparv. Standing in the holy Sarovar, devotees offered prayers and had darshan of Surya Dev (the Sun).

“In the evening, when the Sun set, we stood in the Sarovar of the temple and did Surya darshan,” said Nirmala, a devotee. “Tomorrow morning, we will again stand in the Sarovar at sunrise.”

The festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and his sister Chhathi Mai, who are revered as sources of nature, health, energy and life. Devotees express their gratitude by offering water to the Sun.

Meanwhile, there was a huge rush outside Durgiana Temple and Tara Wala Pul, causing traffic congestion as roads became jammed with devotees and vehicles.