Chhath Puja to be performed at over 1,000 ghats acoss city

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday announced that preparations for Chhath Puja are in full swing across Delhi. Addressing a press conference, the CM said the festival would be organised at more than 1,000 ghats across the city, including 17 large model ghats along the Yamuna River.

“The government has made extensive arrangements so that every devotee can celebrate Chhath in a clean, safe and sacred environment,” she said.

Gupta added that the ban on performing Chhath Puja on the Yamuna banks has been lifted and the Delhi Government itself is developing and maintaining ghats for devotees. “From Palla to Kalindi Kunj, 17 major ghats are being developed, each ranging from half a kilometre to one and a half kilometres, depending on the population. Every sub-division will also have at least one model ghat,” she said.

Accompanied by Minister for Development and Tourism Kapil Mishra and Chief Whip Abhay Verma, the CM said the festival reflected Delhi’s composite culture and shared faith.

Highlighting preparations, she said tents, lighting, sanitation, drinking water and toilets would be provided at all ghats. Around 200 sites will host cultural programmes in Bhojpuri and Maithili languages. Major ghats will feature grand entry gates and floral showers to welcome devotees, while mobile toilets, cleaning staff and medical vans will remain deployed for convenience and safety.

Launching a citywide cleanliness campaign, Gupta said all MPs, MLAs and local representatives had begun Swachhta drives at ghats in their constituencies.

In a significant announcement, the CM also declared that the government would withdraw FIRs filed during the previous administration’s tenure against devotees who performed Chhath Puja on the Yamuna banks in 2021. “The earlier government imposed restrictions on people’s faith, but our government respects it,” she said.

Drawing a parallel with the Diwali festivities, she added, “Just as Delhi made history with the grand Diwali and drone show at Kartavya Path, this year’s Chhath Puja will also be divine and grand. Delhi is no longer just the political capital; it is fast becoming the capital of faith.”