Chhath festival observed in valley by worshipping setting sun
Kathmandu, November 2
The third day of Chhath, the greatest festival of Mithila community, was celebrated today in Kathmandu valley by offering prayers to the setting sun and wishing for happiness, well-being, good health and prosperity.
Thousands of Hindu devotees, from the Tarai and hills alike, thronged the water bodies in the valley to perform Chhath rituals. Ponds and river banks in Kamal Pokhari, Gaurighat, Kalimati, Balkhu, Kupandole, Hadigaun and Bhaktapur witnessed huge footfall of devotees.
These places have been decked up with colourful lights. President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, as the head of the state, reached Gaurighat to worship the setting sun. According to Chhath Organising Committee, the festival is celebrated for four days. Nahay Khay, is the first day of the festival. Kharna, the second day of the festival, was observed yesterday.
Offerings are pictured during Chhath festival at a pond in Kathmandu, Nepal on Saturday, November 02, 2019. Chhath festival is dedicated to the sun and ancient Vedic Goddess for ones good health, well being and prosperity. Photo: Skanda Gautam/THT
Fast-observers clad in colourful costumes carry thakuwa (sweet dish made from wheat and rice flour), bhushuwa, fruits and holy threads, among others, as prasad in a special bamboo basket during Shasthi Puja, the third day of Chhath, on the river banks and ponds before offering argha to the setting sun.
The festival will conclude tomorrow with the worship of the rising sun. Special security measures have been put in place in and around the designated festival spots to prevent any untoward incident, police said. Third day of the Chhath is considered the main day of the festival.
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