In Varanasi, the Chhath festival drew thousands of devotees to the ghats on Monday evening. They gathered to perform a crucial ritual of offering arghya to the setting sun. This traditional festival is observed with immense devotion and cultural significance.
Chhath Puja Celebrations at Varanasi Ghats
The atmosphere was vibrant as participants started arriving at the ghats in traditional attire, carrying bamboo baskets filled with offerings. Homemade delicacies like thekua, malpua, and laddus were common, with many also carrying sugarcane. The ghats filled steadily as devotees began their rituals in the afternoon.
Rituals and Significance
As the sun set, the sound of Chhath songs amplified the festive spirit. Women observed a fast to conduct Kharna pooja, integral to the four-day festival, symbolizing devotion and self-purification. Once Kharna concluded, fasting men and women stepped into the Ganga’s waist-deep waters to offer arghya, chanting, “Jai Chhath Maiya.”
- Auspicious Times:
- Arghya for the setting sun: 5:10 PM – 5:58 PM on Monday.
- Arghya for the rising sun: 5:33 AM – 6:30 AM on Tuesday, October 28.
This year’s offerings, known as Daala Chhath, included a variety of items such as sathi rice, betel nut, jaggery, new rice, and coconut. Participants also used traditional tools like bamboo baskets and brass utensils during their rituals.
Security Measures in Place
To ensure the safety of all attendees, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed across major ghats in Varanasi. Six teams, equipped with life-saving equipment, were positioned at critical sites along the Ganga, including:
- Rajghat
- Lalita Ghat
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Panchganga Ghat
- Rajendra Prasad Ghat
- Kedar Ghat
- Assi Ghat
- Samne Ghat
- Vishwasundari Ghat
Additional teams were also stationed at sensitive areas such as Shastri Ghat and the Banaras Locomotive Works vicinity. In Chandauli, NDRF personnel monitored Mansarovar Pond and Balua Ghat, while teams in Gorakhpur ensured safety at Raj Ghat on the Ghaghra River.
This year’s Chhath Puja not only showcased the rich cultural heritage of Varanasi but also emphasized the importance of safety during such significant gatherings.
