Festivities of Chhath begin in the Kathmandu valley

KATHMANDU: The vibrant preparations for the Chhath festival have begun across the Kathmandu Valley, soon after the conclusion of Tihar.

Locations such as Gaurighat, Thapathali, and Kamalpokhari are witnessing bustling activity as the community readies for this major festival.

The riverbanks of Kathmandu, especially Gaurighat, are being beautifully adorned for Chhath worship.

Chhath is a four-day festival, during which devotees observe strict rituals. On the first day, participants take a holy bath and offer arba arbaain food. On the second day, they observe Kharna, where they consume a special sweet dish made from rice, jaggery, and milk as part of their fasting rituals.

On the third day, devotees prepare offerings and head to the riverbanks to offer arghya (ritual prayers) to the setting sun. Finally, the festival culminates on the fourth day with devotees offering prayers to the rising sun at dawn, marking the end of the Chhath festivities.

Preparation Underway in Kamalpokhari

Rajendra Singh, the president of Kamalpokhari Chhath Puja Society, shared that preparations for the festival are in full swing. He mentioned that the construction of tents for the festival has nearly been completed. “We have set up 260 tents, but over 300 people have already booked their spots,” Singh noted. He added that they could accommodate up to 350 people in total.

Another local, Jitendra, emphasized that Chhath is a natural worship of the Sun God, and explained that people are excited to perform rituals in reverence to the deity. “The preparations are progressing well. The framing of structures is completed, and work on the tents and lighting is almost finished. We’ve also numbered 260 riverbanks for the devotees, but we’ve already exceeded 300 bookings,” Jitendra said.

Cleanliness and Beautification for Chhath

In addition to the tent arrangements, a significant focus is on cleanliness and beautification in preparation for the festival. The banks of rivers and ponds are being thoroughly cleaned and decorated as part of the community’s efforts to honor the sacred ritual.

As Chhath draws near, the Kathmandu Valley is transforming into a vibrant and spiritual hub, with devotees eager to celebrate this important festival dedicated to sun.