Following the row of Nepali festivals, the Himalayan nation celebrated Chhath Puja amidst much fanfare on November 12, 2018.
Devotees across Janakpur celebrated the festival around lakes, ponds and rivers including Agnikunda, Argaza, Biharkunda, Dhanushsagar, Gangasagar, Ramsagar and Rukmini Sarobar.
Chhath Puja is the Hindu festival wherein worship the ‘Sun God’ for four days. It is a festival that symbolizes faith, good will and purity.
As part of the four-day celebrations, devotees dip themselves in rivers, maintain cleanliness & purity and observe fasting (without water) and abstinence from non-vegetarian dishes, grains including buckwheat, lentil & millet and a few other spices.
Devotees offer ‘arghya’ by paying special homage to the rising sun on the evening of November 12, 2018 and concluded the celebration by worshipping the rising sun on the morning of November 13, 2018.
They also pray for the happiness, prosperity, wellbeing and longevity of their family members. Chhath Puja delicacies include Thekuwa and rice pudding.