KATHMANDU: Devotees are observing the second day of Chhath festival today by fasting from the morning and spending the day preparing their offerings of fruits, nuts and sweets.

The Chhath festival observed as a common cultural symbol of Tarai/Madhes began on Wednesday.

On the second day, devotees gather at the banks of rivers and ponds to wait for the sun to set.

They also light lamps and sing hymns while praying and making offerings to the fading sun.

The festive fanfare has been seen in different parts including Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole of Kathmandu Valley as well.

The festival is dedicated to the Sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting Sun.

It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukala 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.

The ritual of Chhath festival includes taking holy bath, fasting and worshiping the Sun for a long time and offering prasad and argha (curd) to the ‘Rising and Setting Sun’.

Chhath is a festival of bathing and worshipping that follows a period of abstinence and segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days.