Main rituals of Chhath festival being observed today

KATHMANDU, Nov 07: The main ritual of the four-day Chhath festival is being observed today by worshipping and making offerings to the setting sun. The festival will be formally concluded after making offerings to the rising Sun tomorrow morning.     

The Chhath festival observed as common cultural symbol of the Tarai is celebrated as per religious tradition and much fanfare.     

The festive fanfare has been seen in different places in the Madhes province and also in some hilly districts including in Kathmandu Valley's Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole, Bishnumati, among other places.     

The festival is dedicated to the sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting sun. It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukala Chaturthi to Kartik Shukla Saptami as per the lunar calendar.     

It usually falls between October and November in the Gregorian calendar. The Sun considered as the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress.     

The ritual of Chhath Parba includes taking holy bath, fasting, standing and worshipping the sun for a long time and offering Prasad and Argha to the ‘rising and setting Sun'.     

It is believed that worshipping the sun on the special occasion of Kartik Shukla Paksha materializes one's wishes.