KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel today offered prayers and Arghya (a ritual offering) to an idol of Chhathi Mata installed on the banks of the Bagmati River at Guheshwari, near the Pashupati area, on the occasion of the Chhath festival.
Accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, President Paudel offered prayers to the idol of Chhathi Mata and inaugurated the Chhath festival celebrations in the Gaurighat area.
Following the inauguration, devotees gathered at more than 600 Chhath Ghats began observing the festival by worshipping the setting sun and offering Arghya.
Today marks the third and main day of the four-day festival. Devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun and remain awake throughout the night at the Chhath Ghats. The festival will conclude on Monday morning, the day of Kartik Shukla Saptami, with the offering of Arghya to the rising sun.
Devotees who are unable to stay overnight at the Chhath Ghats will complete their evening rituals today and return early Monday morning to conclude their fast.
Anil Singh, chairperson of the Chhath Puja Committee at Guhyeshwari, told RSS that thousands of devotees had gathered in the Pashupati area to celebrate the Chhath festival.
Dedicated to the adoration and worship of the Sun God, Chhath is observed from the fourth (Chaturthi) to the seventh (Saptami) day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Kartik. This year’s festival began on Thursday.
There is a popular belief that observing the Chhath fast brings relief from suffering and poverty. It is also believed that offering an assortment of fruits pleases the Sun God and brings well-being to devotees, their extended families and future generations.
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