Thu Nov 07 02:44:01 UTC 2024: ## Chhath Puja Celebrations Begin Across India
The four-day Chhath Puja festival, a major religious observance in northern and eastern India as well as Nepal, commenced on Tuesday with the traditional Nahay Khay ritual. This day marks the beginning of the festival, where devotees cleanse themselves in preparation for the days ahead.
The festival continues with Kharna on Wednesday, followed by the main Chhath Puja observance on Thursday. The festival culminates on Friday with Usha Arghya, where devotees offer prayers to the rising sun.
Chhath Puja is known for its strict rituals, including fasting and offerings to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, expressing gratitude for life on Earth.
In Delhi, devotees performed ritual baths along the banks of the Yamuna River on Tuesday morning. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi inspected preparations for the festival, noting that over 1,000 spots along the Yamuna have been designated for devotees. The Chief Minister declared November 7th a public holiday in recognition of the festival’s importance.
To accommodate the increased travel demands associated with Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has announced special train services across the country.
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