Jamshedpur: The 4-day Chhath festival began in Jamshedpur with nahai khai ritual on Wednesday. Chhath is the biggest festival for Bihar and Jharkhand region and is known to be a unique festival of Sun and river worship. It is also known to be a festival of utmost devotion and cleanliness. Chhath is also celebrated in most parts of the country, and even abroad, wherever people from Bihar and Jharkhand have migrated.
The government guidelines make it clear that social distancing and wearing of masks is necessary for Chhath.
soon after the government orders came for allowing chhath in water bodies with conditions, the district administration started working on war scale. JNAC, MNAC and Jugsalai Municipality officials have started work with Jusco and NDRF. Cleaning of river ghats has begun to ensure a safe and clean environment for the devotees.
On the other hand, some people have also started barricading chhath ghats and reserving space on the ghat for their families.
While homes of people celebrating Chhath are resounding with Chhath songs, markets are full with buyers of different puja items, while devotees and workers of different social organisations are busy cleaning the river ghats.
The devotees completed the nahai khai ritual, worshipped Surya Bhagwan and then worshipped Chhathi Devi. They also sought blessings for the well-being of their family and near and dear ones.
Women were singing devotional songs while men were busy bringing fruits and other items to be used in the puja and for preparing prasad.
Earlier, the Jharkhand government had banned Chhath in public water bodies. But, later, facing stiff opposition and criticism, it relaxed the guidelines and allowed use of public water bodies with a caveat that social distancing measures be followed and minimum crowding be ensured at the Chhat ghats.
The change in the government guidelines has boosted the spirit of the devotees.
On Thursday, the devotees would observe Kharna, while on Friday, they would offer Arghya to Surya Deo in the evening. This would be followed with Saturday morning Arghya which would conclude the festival.
The devotees would also break their fast Saturday morning.
