In pics: Chhath concludes with offering to rising sun

KATHMANDU: Chhath festival has concluded today by offering arghya (offering of water) to the rising sun.

The festival begins four days after the Tihar festival. The festival begins on Chaturdashi and concludes by offering arghya to the setting sun on Shashti and to the rising sun on Saptami.

On the fourth day, the devotees observe fasting and the family members gather at the banks of rivers early in the morning and wait until the sun rises.

With sunrise, they offer arghya to the sun. Following this, they distribute prasad to fellow devotees at the Ghat, the place where arghya is offered to the rising sun. Blessings are sought from elders. After returning from the Ghat, fasting women break their 36-hour fast by taking ginger and water. And then they eat food.

The main message of the Chhath festival is coordination, inclusion, and sanctity.

The festival is a collective resolution made under the leadership of women for the welfare of society and family.

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 as per the time-honored tradition.

The festival is observed as a common cultural symbol of the Tarai.