Chhath Puja 2017: Devotees offer 'Argh' to rising sun across India

New Delhi:

Chhath Puja has been celebrated with much grandeur and zeal on Friday all over the country. Hundreds of people were sighted offering prayers in Delhi's ITO and Mumbai's Juhu beach.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also been seen celebrating this auspicious occasion at his official residence, while Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and acting president of the state Congress Kaukab Qadri distributed 'kalsoops', coconuts, incense sticks and other items to devotees.

The Bihar Chief Minister is also expected to visit the Nasriganj Ghat at Danapur.

खरना का प्रसाद ग्रहण करने आए माननीय राज्यपाल एवं अन्य आगंतुकों का स्वागत करते हुए।https://t.co/jetVw5OsgK pic.twitter.com/iYQ6qMfN0m

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 26, 2017

Special arrangements and necessary steps were taken to ensure safety and security at the ghats in Bihar, said Sushil Kumar Modi.

छोटे भाई की पत्नी वर्षों से छठ करती है ।घर की छत पर पत्नी की साथ अर्ध्य देते हुए। pic.twitter.com/iUCpvTJqIt

— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) October 27, 2017

On the other hand, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi celebrated the Chhath Puja at their home in Patna on Friday.

लोक आस्था के महान पर्व छठ पूजा के पावन अवसर पर अस्ताचलगामी सूर्य को अर्ध्य देते हुए। pic.twitter.com/S7S5AX5n1n

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) October 26, 2017

Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi's son Tejashwi Yadav took to micro-blogging site Twitter and shared a picture of his mother and other family members. In the picture the entire family along with Rabri Devi has been seen cooking by the fire, in the middle of Chhath Puja preparations.

जय छठी मैया.. pic.twitter.com/zD0C0RBpkM

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 26, 2017

Chhath Puja is performed to thank Lord Surya and Chhati Maiyya (Usha, Lord Surya's wife), for sustaining life on earth and request them to grant certain wishes.

This year Chhath Puja has started with 'Nahay Khay' on October 24 and ended with 'Suryodaya Argh' on October 27.

The fourth and the final day, also known as 'Suryodaya Argh' is the day to offer early morning prayers to the God of life and energy followed by 'Parana' where devotees break their fast after 36 long hours.

Chhath means sixth because it falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika (October/November) or simply on the sixth day after Diwali. God Surya is worshiped very passionately for the well being of their family and near and dear ones.

Though Chhath is generally celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and some parts of Nepal, with many people from those states moving to Delhi and Maharashtra, it has become an important festival all over the country.

Prayers being offered to the rising sun on the occasion of #ChhathPuja at Delhi's ITO pic.twitter.com/UEVsvNdABW

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017

Maharashtra: Prayers being offered to the rising sun on the occasion of #ChhathPuja at Mumbai's Juhu beach pic.twitter.com/R1uSse8tn3

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017

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