TURA, Nov 10: Chhath Puja celebrations began in Tura on Wednesday, ushering in a session of fasting, prayers and offerings to the Sun God by devotees.
The festival is observed six days after Diwali and marked by performing puja to Surya, the Sun God, by devotees, who seek his blessings and invite him to come to their homes.
It is a common practice among devotees to cleanse their homes with holy water as part of the celebration as they believe that the deity will not come to an unclean home.
During the four-day festival, devotees keep themselves engaged in prayers and religious rituals, including puja and prasad, fasting and bathing in the Visharjan Ghat located at Babupara locality of the town.
According to a leader of the Chhath Puja Committee, the observation of Chhath Puja is done with a belief that relentless and dedicated performing of Puja during the four-day festival can make all wishes come true.
“We believe that if proper puja and offerings are made to God, all wishes can be achieved. Some people wish for good health, some for riches and wealth, and some couples even wish for a child. All these can come true with proper puja and prayers,” secretary of the Committee, Bablu Srivastava, said.
The first day of Chhath Puja witnessed devotees take a dip at the Babupara Visharjan Ghat from where the holy water is taken home to prepare the offerings as well as cleanse their homes.
On the second day, the devotees observed a fast until a little after sunset when the offerings of Rasiao-Kheer, puris and bananas are distributed among the family members.
From the second day onwards, the devotees will go on a fast without water for 36 hours.
The Chhaath Puja ends with the breaking of the fast by the devotees on the final day when they return to the ghat along with family and friends before sunrise and make offerings (Arghya) to the rising sun.
