On Thursday, the third day of Chhath Puja, lakhs of devotees across the country offered evening arghya to the setting sun. On this day, Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya are duly worshipped. Then there is a tradition of offering Arghya to the setting sun in the evening. On this occasion, lakhs of devotees gathered at hundreds of ghats of Delhi and offered Arghya to the setting sun in the evening. Many leaders cutting across party lines also participated in the Chhath puja.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi participated in the puja in Balmukund section of Giri Nagar and extended her best wishes to the devotees. Atishi said that every year, the Delhi government ensures that the people of Purvanchal feel at home in Delhi and can celebrate Chhath with full rituals.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Chhath Puja. The Chief Minister said that Chhath festival is an important festival of folk faith. In this festival, the setting and rising Sun God is worshiped with spiritual purity and a pure heart. Our country has a rich tradition and culture of conservation of natural resources. Chhath Puja, which gives the message of man’s connection with nature, is a living example of this rich tradition. CM Yogi Adityanath offered prayers during Chhath Puja at Laxman Mela Ground on the banks of Gomti River in Lucknow.
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal performed puja at a ghat in Kidwai Nagar. He said the government has built puja ghats at 1,800 places in the city this year, which is much higher than less than 250 places in 2015.
BJP MP from Delhi North-East Manoj Tiwari celebrated Chhath at his residence. He expressed regret over the ban on offering Arghya in Yamuna due to environmental concerns. He said that due to the stubbornness of some people, we could not offer Arghya in Yamuna, but despite the opposition, Chhath festival will not stop. Let us tell you that the Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled not to organize Chhath rituals on the banks of the river, citing health concerns of the devotees due to the high pollution level of Yamuna river and toxic foam and pollutants.
Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday extended greetings on the occasion of the popular festival Chhath. Nadda reached Patna, the capital of Bihar, where he participated in the Chhath celebrations organized at the residences of several senior party leaders. Nadda said that on the auspicious occasion of Chhath, I extend my hearty greetings to all the people of Bihar, Purvanchal (Eastern UP) and other parts of the country. May Chhathi Maiya shower her blessings on all of us. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP National President JP Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary visited the Ganga Ghats in Patna on the occasion of Chhath Puja.
Lakhs of devotees performed Chhath Puja at hundreds of ghats in Delhi, while Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi participated in Chhath Puja.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren offered prayers on the occasion of Chhath. At thousands of ghats in the state, devotees offered prayers to the setting sun in the evening.