Devotees Offer Final ‘Usha Arghya’ Prayers Marking Conclusion of Chhath Puja

New Delhi, Oct 28: Devotees across India offered the sacred ‘Usha Arghya’ prayers to the rising Sun   on Tuesday morning, marking the conclusion of the four day long Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya.

From the riverbanks of Bihar to the ghats of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, lakhs of devotees gathered before sunrise to perform the final rituals. Women, dressed in traditional attire, stood in knee deep water with offerings of fruits, flowers, and sugarcane, praying for the well being and prosperity of their families.

In Bihar, thousands thronged the Patna Collectorate Ghat, where elaborate arrangements were made for the devotees. Offerings were placed carefully along the ghats, and security personnel ensured smooth conduct of the rituals.

In Delhi, the illuminated Hathi Ghat at ITO became a major center of devotion. Dolly, a devotee, said, “The ghat is beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere is truly divine.” Another devotee, Guruprasad from Bihar, expressed gratitude to the authorities for ensuring safety and cleanliness at the site.

Similar scenes were witnessed across Uttar Pradesh, including the Guru Gorakhnath Ghat on the Rapti River in Gorakhpur and Varanasi’s river ghats, where large crowds gathered to offer morning prayers. In Noida’s Sector 21, women stood in rose petal covered waters as they offered ‘Usha Arghya’ to the rising sun.

The Chhath Mahaparv, celebrated from October 25 to 28 this year, began with Nahay Khay on Saturday, followed by Kharna on Sunday, Sandhya Arghya (evening prayers) on Monday, and concluded with Usha Arghya (morning prayers) on Tuesday.

The festival, symbolizing purity, devotion, and gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on earth, once again united millions of devotees across the country in faith and celebration.