Chhath Festival Kicks Off in UP with Elaborate Arrangements for Devotees
CM Yogi to offer Arghya at Gomti River; Cultural programs and safety measures in place
UP, Oct 25 : The four day Chhath festival commenced in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday with the Nahay-Khaay ritual, celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will participate in the festivities on October 27, offering Arghya at the banks of the Gomti River.
The festival will continue with Kharna on October 26, followed by the evening Arghya on October 27 and the morning Arghya to the rising Sun God on October 28. In Lucknow, the Laxman Mela ground along the Gomti River has been prepared to host devotees performing Chhath puja rituals.
Prabhunath Rai, National President of the All India Bhojpuri Samaj, highlighted that grand cultural programs featuring over 200 artists, including folk singers Kalpana Patwari, Gopal Rai, and Suresh Shukla, will entertain devotees for 18 continuous hours on October 27 and 28.
In Prayagraj, the festival began with high religious fervor at Sangam city. Authorities are actively preparing ghats to manage the crowd, focusing on safety, lighting, sanitation, mobile toilets, and barricading. SDM Sadar inspected Kila Ghat, Sangam Nose, Ram Ghat, and Arail Ghat, instructing officials to clear mud, lay checkered plates, and use sandbags to ensure safe river access.
Officials noted that due to rising water levels, the ghats’ usable area has decreased by 30 percent compared to last year. At least 200 checkered plates will be installed to aid devotees in commuting safely.
