Nation Celebrates Chhath Puja: A Harmonious Tribute to the Sun God

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday extended his greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja, underscoring the cultural significance of the festival. Addressing reporters, Khattar stated, "I extend my best wishes to all of you on Chhath Puja. Through you, I extend greetings and best wishes for this festival to the entire society. On this day, offerings are made to Lord Surya. The sun is the source that brings light into our lives; today we worship him and pray that light may enter everyone's life."

President Droupadi Murmu also shared her warm wishes to the nation, hoping for happiness and prosperity for the people during Chhath Puja. In a social media message, President Murmu elaborated, "On the sacred occasion of the great festival of Chhath Puja, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all my fellow countrymen. This festival is an opportunity to worship Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya and to express gratitude towards Mother Nature. My best wishes are that this festival brings happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives and inspires us towards environmental conservation."

The four-day Chhath Mahaparv, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, commenced on Saturday with the ritual of Nahay-Khay, followed by Kharna on Sunday, with Monday marking Sandhya Arghya (evening arghya). The celebrations conclude with the morning arghya on Tuesday. This year, the festival runs from October 25 to 28, featuring a series of rituals, including Nahay-Khay on Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, Kharna on Panchami, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and the concluding Usha Arghya on Saptami. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding his best wishes on Sunday, described Chhath Puja as a reflection of the "deep unity" between culture, nature, and society, emphasizing the gathering of devotees across social strata as a "most beautiful" example of India's social harmony.