KATHMANDU: The government has announced an additional public holiday on Monday to mark the Chhath festival, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sunday had already been declared a public holiday, as Chhath falls on the same day this year. The government has now extended the holiday to Monday to accommodate the festival’s concluding rituals.
Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Anand Prasad Kafle said that, according to tradition, devotees offer arghya to the setting sun on Sunday and conclude their fast by offering arghya to the rising sun on Monday morning.
The additional holiday has been announced to facilitate the observance of the festival and its traditional rituals.
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