Guwahati: The chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma went to Pandu Ghat in Guwahati on Monday morning to participate in the Chhath Puja celebrations.
CM Sarma wished everyone a happy Chhath Puja and praised the devotees’ efforts for staging the ceremony in such a magnificent manner.
Meanwhile, taking to twitter, CM Sarma said, “Felt blessed to have visited Pandu Port Ghat on the bank of Brahmaputra & spend time with devotees of Chhath Maiyya. It was really a divine feeling to be flanked by the devout performing #ChhathPuja. Prayed to Chhath Maiya for joy, peace & prosperity for all.”
The celebration honouring the Sun and Chhathi Maiya is observed with meticulous planning. Priests or purohits are not necessary to preside over the rituals, and there is no practise of idol worship.
Holy bathing, fasting, giving up water for four days (vrata), standing in water and offering prasad and arghya to the setting and rising suns are all part of the Chhath rites. The first part of Chhath Puja is “Nahaay Khay,” followed by “Kharna,” “Sanjhka Aragh,” and “Bhorka Aragh,” which are the third and fourth.
Typically, the prasad offering consists of fruits in tiny bamboo baskets along with thekua, khajuria, tikri and kasar. The entire menu is entirely vegetarian and doesn’t contain any salt, onions, or garlic. The preservation of food purity is emphasised.
The majority of “parvaitin,” or festival devotees are usually female.