Fri Nov 08 14:42:58 UTC 2024: ## Chhath Puja Concludes in Bihar, Eight Drown in Festival-Related Incidents
**Patna, November 8, 2024:** The four-day Chhath festival, celebrated widely in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, concluded on Friday with devotees offering prayers to the rising sun. However, the festivities were marred by tragedy as eight people, including three children, drowned to death in separate incidents across the state.
The festival, which commenced on November 5 with the “nahai-khai” ritual, saw thousands of devotees offer prayers to the sun god on November 7 and 8. Prominent figures, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, participated in the festivities, offering prayers with their families.
The Bihar government had made extensive preparations for the festival, with elaborate arrangements at numerous ghats across the state. Thousands of security personnel and medical camps were deployed to ensure safety, while drones were used for monitoring. The Patna district administration, in particular, made provisions for devotees at various ghats and even utilized city park water bodies to accommodate the crowds. Roads were cleaned and decorated with lights, and senior officials inspected the arrangements to ensure a smooth celebration.
Despite the precautions, eight people, including three children under the age of 14, lost their lives due to drowning. Two girls and a boy drowned in the Sone River in Bhojpur district, while two young men drowned in the Rohtas district. These tragic incidents occurred while their family members were engaged in preparations for the prayers.
The festival, which sees a significant influx of migrants returning to Bihar from other states, also resulted in packed train carriages and buses. Chhath Puja is a significant cultural event in Bihar, signifying gratitude and seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest. While the festival concluded on a somber note due to the drownings, the vibrant spirit of the celebration was evident across the state.
First Piper 