Administrator
25 October 2025
*Cleaned and decked up water bodies - 1.Bada Talab( Ranchi Lake) and Chadri Talab opposite, Firayalal, Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The four-day Chhath Mahaparv began today with the traditional ritual of Nahay-Khay being performed by devotees inside their homes in Jharkhand.
After consuming Arwa chawal, a type of raw, white, long-grain rice (that is minimally processed to retain its natural nutrients and aroma and strength) with boiled pumpkin (a vegetable packed with high content of vitamins A, C, and E, along with minerals like potassium and fiber plus water), the Chhath devotee keeps fast for over 30 hours.
And then, the next day evening on Sunday, the devotee performs Khardna ritual by cooking “kheer”( a creamy, Indian-style rice pudding made by slowly cooking rice with milk, sugar or jaggery, and flavored with spices like cardamom and saffron, often garnished with nuts and dried fruits), devotes it to the Sun God, and offers it to visitors.
Next, the devotee keeps fast, wearing stitchless garment and sleeping on a clean floor for the next 34 hours.And in between on Monday evening, he/she offers prayers to the setting Sun by dipping the body in a water body- pond, river dam called Ghat.
Devotees gather at the ghats, carrying baskets decorated with bamboo, coconuts, thekua, and lamps. At sunset, water is offered and prayers are offered for the prosperity, health, and happiness of the family. Women sing hymns and praise Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God, creating a highly spiritual atmosphere.
As the Sun sets, prayers end and devotees and their family members, each barefoot return home. The fasting devotee and family members spend night and return to Ghat to offer the prayers to the rising Sun. Many family members burn fire crackers to conclude. This is slated to happen on Tuesday morning.
The entire Chhath festival marks the beginning of the Sun worship and emphasises purity, cleanliness, and self-discipline.
On these four- days, devotees as well as their family members focus on purifying their bodies and minds to prepare for the arduous fast and rituals ahead for devotees.
Bathing in rivers or ponds, is considered auspicious, and those who cannot do so can bathe at home with Ganga water. After bathing, devotees wear clean and new clothes and begin the Chhath fast with devotion. Nahay-Khay also symbolises new beginnings, signifying renewal of life, spiritual purity, and prayers for the family's well-being, prosperity, and peace.
No wonder why the state administration as well as NGOs and Community groups beautify Ghats and purify water of the water bodies, each of the pond and rivers.
In Ranchi,all water bodies including the city lake and Chadri Talab have been cleaned by Municipal corporation and beautified by community groups by erecting decked up pandals and entry gates.
More, Chadri Talab President Sablu Munda informed that a team of 11 priests has arrived to do Ganga Aarti at the beach on the evening of Monday evening. And Kolkata-based Bhajan singer will sing to add musical hit to the setting Sun.
