Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings to people across the country on Tuesday as the four-day Chhath Mahaparv concluded, with devotees offering the Usha Arghya (morning prayers) to the rising Sun.
In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister said, “Today, the auspicious conclusion of the great festival of Chhath took place with the morning arghya offered to Lord Sun God. During this four-day ritual, we witnessed the divine glimpse of our grand tradition of Chhath Puja.”
He further conveyed his best wishes to devotees and their families, adding, “Heartfelt congratulations to all our family members who became part of this sacred festival, along with all the fasting devotees and devotees! May the boundless grace of Chhathi Maiya keep all your lives forever illuminated.”
Devotion Across the Country
From Bihar to Delhi and Varanasi, thousands of devotees gathered along riverbanks, ponds, and ghats at dawn to offer prayers to the Sun God and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.
In Patna and other parts of Bihar, devotees thronged the Ganga ghats to offer the Usha Arghya, laying out offerings of fruits and flowers with deep reverence. Police and disaster management teams were deployed to ensure smooth and safe celebrations.
In Delhi, Yamuna and ITO’s Hathi Ghats glowed with lamps and chants as devotees performed the final rituals, while in Varanasi, the banks of the Ganga resonated with hymns as worshippers offered prayers to the rising Sun.
Four Days of Faith and Fasting
This year’s Chhath Mahaparv began on October 25 with Nahay-Khay, followed by Kharna on October 26, Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) on October 27, and concluded with Usha Arghya (morning offerings) on October 28.
Dedicated to Lord Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya, the festival celebrates purity, gratitude, and devotion — symbolising the deep cultural and spiritual bond between humanity and nature.
As the first rays of the Sun touched the waters, the chants of “Chhathi Maiya ki Jai!” echoed across ghats, marking the close of one of India’s most sacred and vibrant festivals.
