Kathmandu, November 17

Chhath, the greatest festival of Mitihila community, was celebrated today in Kathmandu Valley by offering prayers to the setting sun and wishing for happiness, well-being, good health and prosperity.

Thousands of Hindu devotees, from the Tarai and hills alike, thronged Rani Pokhari and other river banks in the Valley to perform Chhath rituals.

Ponds and river banks in Rani Pokhari, Kamal Pokhari, Gaurighat, Kalimati, Balkhu, Kupandole, Baneshwor, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur witnessed huge crowds of devotees.

According to Chhath Organising Committee, the festival is a four-day celebration. ‘Naha Kha’, which literally means ‘bathe and eat’, is the first day of the festival and was celebrated yesterday.

On this day, devotees take holy dip in water bodies, eat one meal and clean their houses and surroundings.

Kharna, the second day of the festival, was observed yesterday. On this day, women take holy bath, observe daylong fast and offer puja to the Sun God.

The devotees enjoy milk, sweets, rice pudding and fruits with other members of the family on the day when they break the fast.

Fast-observers don colourful costumes and carry thakuwa (sweet dishe made from wheat and rice flour), bhshuwa, fruits and holy threads, among others, as prasad (offerings) in a special bamboo basket during Shasthi Puja, the third day of Chhath today, at the riverbanks and ponds before offering argha to the setting sun.

The festival will conclude tomorrow with the worship of the rising sun. Special security measures were put in place in and around the designated festival spots to prevent any untoward incident.

Organisers had arranged separate entry and exit gates for VIPs, fast observers and the general public at Rani Pokhari and other places. Chhath is dedicated to the sun and Chhati Maiya.