Panchkula soaks in Chhath fervour

As the golden sun dipped below the horizon at “Chhath Ghat” in Sector 21 here, thousands of devotees stood immersed in devotion — palms folded, eyes closed, faces lit by faith and flickering diyas.

Chants of “Chhathi Maiya ki Jai!”, conch shells and the fragrance of fresh sugarcane, turmeric and marigold marked the celebrations, which were also attended by Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini.

Calling Chhath Puja a “bridge of culture and faith”, Saini said the festival embodies the essence of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. He offered "arghya" to the setting sun alongside hundreds of families and announced support for the beautification of the Chhath Ghat.

“The soil of Haryana holds strength, and the culture of Purvanchal reflects devotion. Together, they symbolise unity and brotherhood,” he said.

Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal joined the gathering at Abhaypur village, offering prayers for the city’s prosperity. “Chhath Puja is a symbol of our cultural heritage — a festival of purity and collective harmony,” he said, praising the preparations made by the Purvanchal Yuva Ekta Manch Chhath Puja Committee.

Elsewhere in Kalka and Pinjore, Member of Parliament Kartikeya Sharma participated in local celebrations. She expressed joy at joining the sacred rituals. He announced plans to construct a grand pond in Kalka for next year’s festivities.

Three children lost way, reunited with families

With thousands of devotees gathered at various ghats, the police remained on high alert. Commissioner of Police Sibash Kabiraj and Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta supervised arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

During the peak hours of the celebrations, three young children lost their way in the crowd — but were soon found and reunited with their parents.