Devotees perform final rituals of Chhath (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: Devotees have performed the final rituals of the festival Chhath by worshipping the Sun God.

It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Kartik Shukla Saptami as per the lunar calendar. It usually falls between October and November in the Gregorian calendar.

The Sun considered as the god of energy and of the life force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity, and progress.

Devotees offer Argha to setting Sun at Guhyeshwari (Photo Feature)

The festival is celebrated with great fanfare in Mithila culture. The festive fanfare has been seen in different places in the Madhesh province and also in some hilly districts including in Kathmandu Valley’s Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole, and Bishnumati, among other places. It is dedicated to the sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting sun.

According to tradition, devotees offer Argha and perform puja to the setting sun by standing on the bank of the river on the occasion of Chhath in the evening. People believe that worshiping the sun on Kartik Shukla Paksha materializes one’s wishes.

Devotees after sitting on the bank of the river, pond the whole night by singing hymn, on the next morning of Saptami they again offer Argha to the rising Sun and conclude puja.

(Glimpses of Chhath puja)

 (Photo Courtesy: Saroj Basnet) 

Nepali version of the news