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Two-day Chhath Puja ends

     Patna/Varanasi: Scores of people, especially women, thronged the banks of the Ganges to offer their annual Chhat Puja, which came to an end today. The festival is especially significant for married women, who observe a two-day fast and offer prayers along with fruits and flowers to the Sun God. People go to the bathing ghats on riverbanks and pay obeisance to both the rising and the setting sun during the festival, which is celebrated on the sixth and seventh day after Diwali. Traditional music forms an integral part of the festival every year. Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi offered her early morning prayers in Patna. Her husband and Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was also present on the occasion, said that people held prayers for the welfare and prosperity of their family, specially children. "People from all walks of life across the state have prayed the rising sun with a pure heart," Yadav said after offering prayers. Large number of devotees also offered prayers at the banks of Ganges in northern holy city of Varanasi. Preparations for this festival start a month ahead.
-Nov 19, 2004