Tue Nov 05 05:20:19 UTC 2024: ## Chhath Puja Begins in India with Holy Dips and Rituals
**New Delhi, November 5, 2024:** The four-day Chhath Puja festival commenced on Tuesday, November 5th, with devotees across India performing traditional rituals and taking holy dips in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
The festival, primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, is a significant religious observance dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. Devotees express gratitude for life and sustenance through strict rituals and fasting.
On the first day, known as “Nahay Khay,” devotees cleansed themselves in sacred waters and prepared simple meals of “ghiya sabzi” (bottle gourd) and “aloo gobi sabzi” (cauliflower and potato).
The festival will continue for four days, culminating on November 8th with “Usha Arghya,” where devotees offer prayers to the rising sun.
The Delhi government declared a public holiday on November 7th, recognizing the festival’s importance for the city’s residents. The government is also making arrangements at over 1,000 locations across the city for devotees to perform their rituals.
Indian Railways has introduced special train services across the country to accommodate the large number of people traveling to their hometowns to celebrate Chhath Puja.
Chhath Puja, which is largely observed by women, is not just a religious event but also a social occasion that allows for a break from daily routines and a chance to connect with family and friends.
First Piper 