RAIPUR: The four-day Chhath festival ended on Monday morning with ‘Usha Arghya’ across Chhattisgarh.

Chhath devotees gathered in large numbers at ponds, lakes and river sides across the state and at Chhath Mahadev Ghat in capital city, Raipur and worshiped ‘Lord Bhaskar’ and ‘Chhathi Maiya’.

Chairman of Chhath Mahaparva Organizing Committee Mahadev Ghat, Rajesh Kumar Singh said, Chhath Puja was celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy on the banks of Mahadev Ghat and other ponds of Kharun river in Raipur city and worshiped Lord Bhaskar and Chhathi Maiya.

He further said that after offering Usha Arghya, the 36-hour Nirjala fast was on Monday morning after performing Chhath Vrati puja.

Earlier, a bhajan evening was organised on Sunday night where Bhojpuri folk singer Hema Pandey and her two sisters Kareena Pandey and Savita Pandey and Bhojpuri folk singer and Sur Sangram winner Alok Kumar gave cultural performances throughout the night.

Cultural presentation was also given by Chhattisgarh's folk artist Dilip Shadangi and artists Sonali and Tarun Chopra of international dance group Dharohar Kala Sangam Sanstha, Pragraj presented a dance drama.

A performance was also given by Raipur's young musician and lyricist Venkatesh Aggarwal Band.

Thousands of people gathered at Mahadev Ghat and enjoyed the cultural program throughout the night. Thousands of people took Prasad to the 'Bhandara' organized by the committee at Mahadev Ghat.

Chairman of Chhath Mahaparva Organizing Committee Mahadev Ghat, Rajesh Kumar Singh thanked the district administration and Raipur Municipal Corporation for their cooperation in organizing the event. He also congratulated all the members of the committee for making the Chhath Puja program successful.