Patna Devotees Brave Challenges to Celebrate Chhath Puja Rituals

As of October 28, 2025, the revered four-day Chhath Puja festival in Patna has reached its spiritual zenith. Countless devotees gathered on the banks of rivers and other water bodies to offer 'usha arghya' (morning offerings) to the rising sun, marking the successful culmination of one of the most rigorous and auspicious festivals.

The festival, a unique dedication to the Sun god, began with 'nahay-khay' where devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga and other water bodies before preparing and consuming a meal of 'kaddu-bhat' (rice and bottle gourd dish). This ritual symbolized the purification of body and soul, preparing the worshippers for the days of ascetic discipline ahead.

On the second day, 'kharna', devotees observed a full-day waterless fast, breaking it only in the evening after offering a special 'prasad' (offering) of 'kheer' (rice pudding) and chapatti to the Sun god. Immediately after, the demanding 36-hour 'nirjala vrat' (fast without water) commenced.

As the festival reached its conclusion, throngs of devotees, along with their families and friends, converged on the ghats to perform the 'sandhya arghya' (evening offerings) on Monday evening, transforming the riverbanks into shimmering spectacles. For the final 'usha arghya' ritual, devotees returned to the water before dawn, offering water and milk to the rising sun and chanting prayers for the health, prosperity, and long life of their loved ones.

Despite challenges like a comparatively higher water level, district officials and security personnel presented an unparalleled example of excellent crowd and traffic management, ensuring a safe and convenient experience for the devotees. The successful organization of the festival was a mammoth task, but one that was accomplished with dedication and commitment.