RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: On Wednesday, the second day of the four-day Chhath festival, devotees observed the Lohanda and Kharna rituals. In the evening, Chhath Vratis performed the Kharna ceremony, marking the beginning of their 36-hour Nirjala (waterless) fast.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Chhath Mahaparva Organizing Committee in Raipur, shared that on Thursday, devotees will gather at Mahadev Ghat on the banks of the Kharun River to offer Arghya (prayers) to the setting sun, expecting a turnout of over 30,000 people.

Chhath Puja is celebrated with grandeur across Chhattisgarh, especially in cities like Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai-Durg, Korba, and Bastar. This year, Raipur will host ceremonies at more than 50 sites, including Mahadev Ghat, Vyas Talab, and several ponds.

On the evening of November 7, Mahadev Ghat will host cultural performances, including acts by renowned artists like international folk singer Kalpana Patwari from Mumbai, Gayatri Yadav from Lucknow, folk singer Parineeta Rao Patnaik, and popular Chhattisgarhi singer Dukalu Yadav. A Maha Aarti will also be held, and an additional ceremony will take place at Jhanj Pond in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.

The Chhath festival, known as Shashthi Puja or Surya Shashthi Vrat, holds a profound connection with cleanliness. The festival celebrates purity, with people preparing offerings for the Sun God and ensuring cleanliness at roads and ghats. Devotees believe Chhathi Maiya symbolizes cleanliness, aligning with ancient practices promoting clean environments.

Celebrated primarily in regions like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Chhath Puja honors the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya through intense rituals spanning four days. The festival includes holy baths, fasting, abstinence from water, and prayers to the setting and rising sun.

The Mahadev Ghat area has been fully decorated for the festivities and is being cleaned by the Raipur Municipal Corporation, with additional labor donated by committee members.