Chhath Puja: Thousands offer ‘arghya’ to setting sun

Around 50,000 migrants, mostly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, performed Chhath Puja this evening by offering ‘arghya’ to the setting sun along the waters of Chachoki distributary in Phagwara, while thousands more performed the ritual in the Sutlej River, Phillaur. Water was specially released into the canal for the occasion, which had been dry for several years, littered with shrubs and filth.

It was learnt that political leaders had approached irrigation officials to secure water flow in the distributary to win over migrants, as Chhath is one of the biggest festivals for Biharis and UP residents. However, the water for Chachoki canal was actually supplied via a tube well installed in 2014.

A mela-like atmosphere prevailed at the Chachoki canal periphery. Migrants burst crackers, illuminated their homes, and organised langars. Bihari youth volunteers regulated traffic on GT Road themselves. Police, led by Inspector Aman Kumar Daveshwar, monitored security arrangements.

The festival also attracted participation from Punjabis, some out of curiosity and others due to political considerations. Some brought trolley loads of reddish, while others gifted boxes of apples. Some Punjabi women observed the Chhath fast, which involves rigorous fasting for two days without even drinking water and is considered harsher than Karva Chauth. Chhath is performed by married women for the welfare of their children, especially sons.

Speaking to The Tribune, devotees Kameshwar, Vijay Kumar and Ravi Kumar Bihari said the festival’s original name is Ravi Khashti Vrata, meaning a fast for the sun observed six days after Diwali. They traced the festival’s origins to the Mahabharata, noting that even Kunti observed it. Several prominent politicians attended the sunset pooja and addressed devotees, including Lok Sabha member Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, AAP spokesman Harji Maan, former Union Ministers Som Parkash and Vijay Sampla, Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, migrant leaders, ADC Phagwara Dr. Akshita Gupta, and SP Madhvi Sharma.

After offering ‘arghya’ to the setting sun, a religious ceremony called ‘kosi’ is performed at homes with puja and Chhath hymns. The festival concludes on Tuesday with the offering of ‘arghya’ to the rising sun, after which the fast is broken.