Photo Gallery: Devotees offer prayers on Chhath Puja

The auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja is being celebrated across the country with much gusto and fervour. This year the Chhath festivity started from November 11 and will last till 14. The four-day long festival witnesses several devotees observing a fast and praying to the Sun God and Goddess Usha. Chhath Puja and Sandhya Arghya are performed on Shashti (November 13). Since the most significant day falls on the sixth day of the month of Kartika, it is called Chhath.

Chhath Puja is believed to be the only Vedic festival dedicated to Surya (the Sun God). Women offer their prayers to Surya Devta to thank the Lord for sustaining life on Earth. The sunrise and sunset timings hold great significance during this four-day long festival. Chhath Puja is one of the major festivals in the country, predominantly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and in parts of Nepal. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev) and his sister Usha, seeking bounties of life on earth from them and requesting the granting of certain wishes. Also, devotees thank the god and goddess for their blessings.

Devotees offer prayers to the Sun god after taking bath on occasion of Chhath puja

A devotee offers prayers at a pond, on the occasion of Chhath puja

Devotees perform rituals as they offer prayers to the Sun God on the occasion of Chhath Puja

Women perform rituals on the occasion of Chhath Puja