Chhath Puja Celebrated With Puja At Water Bodies

Sandhya Arghya is the ritual offering of prayers and prasad to the setting Sun God. Joda Maang Sindoor is bright orange or saffron vermilion applied from the tip of the nose along the hair parting. Both are distinctive features of Chhath Puja.

Several devotees, including men who visited the city’s water bodies, said they were observing a 36-hour fast. They would break it early on Monday after performing Usha Arghya, the final ritual of the four-day festival dedicated to Surya Bhagwan, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya.

“We observe this festival with utmost devotion. Recently, a movie was made about the miracles of Chhathi Maiya. In Bihar, devotees left their footwear outside the theatre and watched the movie. Such is our devotion to the deity and the festival,” said Raju Ojha of Bihar Samaj at Hussain Sagar.

Anjali Kumari, who has observed Chhath Puja for the past three years, said this was her first time celebrating it at Necklace Road. “I miss celebrating it in my native place in Bihar, but the atmosphere here is also similar,” she said.

Sri Karmanghat Hanuman Devasthanam, Bathukamma Ghat at Hussain Sagar, Durgam Cheruvu and the lakes at Hasmathpet, Shamirpet, Miyapur and Uppal were among the places where the festival was celebrated.

Devotees said not everyone takes part in the festivities, as Chhath Puja involves several household rituals.

“We have been performing Chhath Puja rituals on the premises of Sri Karmanghat Hanuman Devasthanam for 15 years. Offering prayers to the Sun God is a way of recalling the energy he bestows,” said N.K. Singh, chairman of the Uttar Bhath Nagarik Sangh.

Jitendra Thakur, from PBEL City near Appa Junction, said thekua prasad—a traditional delicacy made with rice or wheat, ghee and jaggery—is the main sacred offering of Chhath Puja.