Prez Murmu extends Chhath Puja wishes, says it inspires to express gratitude to nature

President Droupadi Murmu extended Chhath Puja greetings, highlighting the festival's message of gratitude to nature, environmental conservation and cultural traditions. Devotees observed Sandhya Arghya on Sunday evening, with the four-day celebrations concluding Monday morning with prayers to the rising Sun 

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended warm greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja and said that the festival inspires people to express gratitude to nature and to preserve the environment.

Devotees are immersed in religious fervour and devotion as the grand festival of folk faith, Chhath Puja, reaches its most significant stage, as they prepare to offer the first arghya to the setting Sun, known as Sandhya Arghya, on Sunday evening.

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Extending best wishes, President Murmu said, “On the auspicious occasion of Chhath, the festival of faith and Sun worship, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad.” “This festival symbolises deep reverence for Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya,” the President said.

President Murmu further stated that Chhath Puja, celebrated over four days, highlights the “importance of our cultural traditions through devotion, discipline and dedication.” “During Chhath Puja, devotees offer ‘Arghya’ to Surya Dev, praying for happiness, prosperity and the well-being of their families. The festival inspires us to express gratitude to nature and to preserve the environment,” she said.

“May this sacred festival bring joy and peace to all, and promote love and harmony in society. On this occasion, let us pledge to fulfil our responsibility to protect and conserve rivers and other water bodies,” the President added.

The four-day festival will conclude on Monday morning with the offering of arghya to the rising Sun. Devotees observing the festival are undertaking a rigorous 36-hour Nirjala fast without consuming even water and are immersed in the worship of Lord Surya.

On Saturday, Chhath devotees performed the Kharna rituals and prepared prasad, including rasiya, kheer and puris, using traditional methods. The offerings were cooked on clay stoves fuelled by mango wood, maintaining the age-old customs associated with the festival.

After observing a day of strict purity, devotion and religious discipline, the fasting devotees consumed the Kharna prasad in the evening in accordance with the prescribed rituals. This marked the beginning of the challenging 36-hour waterless fast.

In several households, special prayers were organised during the Kharna ritual in separate and secluded rooms, in keeping with the religious traditions associated with Chhath.

According to the scheduled timings, the Sun will set at 4:54 p.m. on Sunday, when devotees will offer the first arghya at the riverbanks and other designated water bodies. The following morning, the sunrise is expected at 5:59 a.m., when the devotees will offer the final arghya to the rising Sun, bringing the four-day Chhath celebrations to a close.