Devotees in Jamshedpur gather to offer Arghya for Chhath Puja’s third day
Key Points:
– Devotees gather at Jamshedpur’s rivers and ponds for Chhath
– Arghya offered to the setting sun with prayers for family welfare
– Chhath celebrated with fervor in India and among Indian communities abroad
JAMSHEDPUR – The auspicious festival of Chhath Puja, devoted to the worship of Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God, saw a massive turnout of devotees at Jamshedpur’s river ghats and ponds on Thursday.
On the third day of this four-day festival, worshippers, clad in new clothes, gathered by water bodies across the city to offer the first Arghya, a ritual expressing gratitude to the setting sun, in the month of Kartik.
The Chhath festival, widely celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, has also gained significance among Indian communities overseas, who observe the rituals with dedication and sanctity.
A Time of Faith and Devotion
In Jamshedpur, the faithful prepared weeks in advance, with the city coming alive in devotion to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.
For many devotees, the observance of Chhath embodies a deep spiritual connection.
As one local resident explained, “This festival is about devotion to Chhathi Maiya for the health and prosperity of our families. It’s a time to seek blessings for a life filled with happiness and abundance.”
Four Days of Sacred Observance
Chhath Puja begins on the sixth day of the Kartik month’s waxing phase and continues for four days.
It involves rigorous fasting, holy bathing, and the offering of Arghya to both the setting and rising sun.
As part of the festival’s observance, devotees abstain from drinking water, offering a rigorous form of penance and dedication.
Tradition Across Borders
Celebrated with similar fervor both in India and among the diaspora, Chhath Puja is a time when the community comes together, embodying cultural unity and dedication to traditional values.
Local river banks and ponds in Jamshedpur saw crowds gather to offer prayers, reflecting the high reverence associated with this ancient ritual.
Devotees believe that observing Chhath brings blessings from Chhathi Maiya, ensuring happiness, good health, and prosperity for the family.
