The four-day Chhath Puja celebrations commenced in Prayagraj on Friday with the sacred Nahay-Khaye ritual, marking the beginning of one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya. The festival, deeply rooted in the traditions of Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, is now observed across India with great devotion.
At the crack of dawn, thousands of devotees thronged the banks of the Yamuna River and Sangam area in Prayagraj to take a holy dip, which is believed to purify the body and soul. Women dressed in traditional attire offered prayers and took part in the ritual of Nahay-Khaye, which signifies cleansing the body and beginning a period of fasting and abstinence.
Chhath Puja is celebrated over four days — Nahay-Khaye, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya. On the first day, devotees bathe in holy rivers and consume a single meal prepared in pure ghee after offering it to the deity. The second day, known as Kharna, involves fasting throughout the day and breaking the fast after sunset with jaggery kheer, fruits, and roti. The third day, Sandhya Arghya, witnesses grand celebrations as devotees offer evening prayers to the setting sun, thanking the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. The final day, Usha Arghya, is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising sun, marking the conclusion of the festival.
In Prayagraj, the local administration has made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the rituals. Special cleanliness drives were undertaken along the Yamuna and Ganga ghats, while police and volunteers were deployed to manage the large crowds. Medical teams, water tankers, and lighting arrangements were also in place to facilitate the devotees.
The riverbanks came alive with hymns, devotional songs, and the fragrance of incense as families gathered together to perform rituals with utmost devotion. Many devotees have also set up temporary huts near the ghats to observe fasting and continue prayers throughout the festival period.
Officials stated that the city is expecting a significant influx of visitors over the next few days as pilgrims arrive from neighboring districts and states to take part in the holy celebrations. Local vendors selling fruits, sugarcane, and earthen lamps have also reported a surge in business as preparations for the upcoming rituals gain momentum.
Chhath Puja holds immense spiritual and cultural importance as it symbolizes gratitude towards nature, the Sun, and water — elements that sustain life. Beyond religious significance, the festival reflects a message of environmental harmony and discipline.
With the commencement of the Nahay-Khaye ritual, the city of Prayagraj has once again turned into a vibrant center of faith and devotion, celebrating the bond between humanity and nature through this ancient Vedic festival.
