NEW DELHI: As the four-day Chhath Puja festivities began on Tuesday morning, Union minister Giriraj Singh urged devotees to purchase materials for the puja "from those who respect the festival." Speaking to ANI, Singh said that Chhath Puja is a "festival of discipline," adding that the markets have been organised in Bihar's Begusarai as part of the festival celebrations.
"For many years, we organised markets for the Hindu community during the Chhath Puja in Begusarai. This festival is a festival of discipline. In this matter, we cannot trust the people of other religions as they might spit in the material (used for Puja) or adulterate it. I appeal to all those who perform Chhath Puja to buy the material for the Puja from those who respect this festival," said Giriraj Singh.
The four-day Chhath Puja began on Tuesday with Nahay Khay on Day 1 of the festivities. Nahay Khay, which falls on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, is all about cleansing and prepping for the festival.
Nahay Khay is followed by Kharna on Panchami Tithi on Day 2, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and concludes with Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi. The festivities will conclude on November 8.
Chhath Puja is celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Devotees across these states and also those in the national capital were seen performing puja rituals on Tuesday morning at Yamuna and Ganga ghats.
Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals, involving strict rituals and fasting to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Devotees performed cleansing and puja rituals on Tuesday morning in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj Chhath Ghat.
The festival has a special place in every Bihari and Jharkhandi's heart as it brings families together to pay homage to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Earlier on Monday, Delhi CM Atishi reviewed the preparations for Chhath Puja at ITO ghat and said that Chhath ghats are being prepared at more than 1,000 locations.
A public holiday was declared in Delhi on November 7 for Chhath Puja, as part of the "important festival."
Indian Railways earlier announced special train services across the country to ensure safe travel for passengers going to their hometowns for Chhath Puja.
This festival witnesses a high participation rate of women, is marked with fanfare, and is also regarded as an occasion to take a break from household chores and be refreshed.
It is primarily celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by the diaspora from these regions.