On third day of Chhath Puja: Devotees offer ‘arghya’ to setting sun

A large number of devotees belonging to Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar pradesh and other parts of the country, residing in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh offered ‘arghya’ (prayer) to the setting sun on the banks of rivers and ponds amid tight security arrangements on Monday. The administration had made elaborate arrangements with special lighting and cleanliness, keeping in view the spirit of the festival. Devotees will offer ‘arghya’ to the rising sun on Tuesday. The festival symbolising the confluence of nature and faith — Chhath — has entered its third day on Monday.

In Chandigarh, the Municipal Corporation organized grand Chhath Puja celebrations at Sector 42 Lake, Sunder Nagar, Mauli Jagran and New Indra Colony Manimajra. At these places, the celebrations were enriched with captivating cultural performances by singers from the Purvanchal community, reflecting the unity and cultural diversity of Chandigarh. . Arrangements include tents, electricity, sanitation, drinking water, mobile toilets, cleaning staff and medical vans were made by the administration.

Devotees celebrating Chhath Puja flocked to Sector 42 Lake and other ghats from noon to offer prayers to the Sun God. Devotees and their families carried offerings such as thekua, seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconut and vegetables in daura or soop (bamboo baskets) to the ghat . They filled a bamboo soop with fruit, thekua, sugarcane, coconut and a lit oil lamp. Devotees stood in knee-deep water and perform traditional rituals with deep faith and reverence and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of their families.

“We wait for this day throughout the year and start preparing for the occasion in advance to offer ‘arghya’ to the setting and rising sun. The ‘arghya’ is offered with mixing milk in sacred Gangajal, symbolizing purity and devotion. We are blessed to get such a chance twice a year as winter Chhath and Chaiti Chhath,” said Anuradha Devi, a devotee at Sector 42 Lake, Chandigarh.

Achutanand Pandey, another devotee, “Offering water to Lord Bhaskar brings mental peace and progress in life. Arghya with red sandalwood and flowers brings fame. By offering ‘arghya’ mixed with jaggery in Gangajal to the Sun, the deity blesses devotees with a son and good fortune. At the same time, by offering water in a copper vessel along with red sandalwood, red flowers and perfume in the morning to the Sun God, one attains age, knowledge, fame and strength.”

This year, Chhath Puja began on Saturday, October 25, and will conclude on Tuesday, October 28. The Puja began with the Nahay-Khay. The second day was the Kharna Puja. Today is the Sandhya Arghya. Tomorrow marks the conclusion, with the Usha Arghya and Paran.

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Chhath festival serves as a bridge of Indian culture and unites nation with a thread of faith: Hry CM


Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Chhath festival not only serves as a bridge to India’s cultural heritage but also unites people across the nation through a shared thread of faith. It is a beautiful symbol of equality and reflects the deep connection between our culture, devotion, and nature.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the state-level Chhath Puja celebration held in Panchkula today. On this occasion, he extended his greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious festival of faith, Chhath Puja. The Chief Minister also announced that the Chhath Puja Committee, Panchkula, would be supported in fulfilling its demands related to the beautification of the Chhath Ghat.

Earlier, Chief Minister participated in the worship of Chhath Maiya and offered water (Arghya) to the setting Sun at the ghat.

He said that the soil of Haryana possesses both strength and spirit, while the culture of Purvanchal carries devotion and tradition. When these two come together, they strengthen both development and mutual trust. He emphasized that the Chhath festival teaches the values of harmony and equality, where there is no distinction between high and low.

Originally celebrated in Purvanchal, the festival has now transcended state boundaries and is observed with great devotion across the country.

The Chief Minister added that the Chhath festival is a true reflection of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. He said that as people from Purvanchal have spread across different states through their hard work and dedication, they have also carried their traditions with them. Wherever they went, the Chhath festival followed, and local devotees of Sanatan culture embraced and began celebrating it with equal devotion and faith.

He said that a ghat has also been constructed in Panchkula for Chhath Puja. Furthermore, a bathing ghat has been constructed in Karnal, the city of the generous Karna, on the Western Yamuna Canal in front of the Suryanarayan Temple at a cost of Rs 4.48 crore. Another ghat has been constructed opposite this ghat on the other side of the canal under the Smart City project. Furthermore, ghats have also been constructed in Panipat and Sonipat.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at a Chhath Puja program organised by the Mithilanchal Navyuvak Seva Samiti near Tangri Dam in Chandrarup Nagar, Ambala Cantonment, late this evening,  Vij said that “I have come here to convey my best wishes for Chhath Puja. People eagerly await this festival all year long, and it is truly inspiring to witness the devotion with which they observe it.” During the program, Minister Vij responded positively to the committee’s request for the construction of a permanent pond for Chhath rituals. He announced that the pond would be built using funds from his discretionary grant. “If the community identifies a suitable location, I will ensure that a permanent pond is constructed there”.