Key Takeaways:

• Prime Minister Balendra Shah extended Chhath greetings to Nepalis at home and abroad
• He reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting all religions, cultures and traditions
• Shah described Chhath as a festival that promotes gratitude towards nature and respect for life
• He expressed hope that the festival would inspire good governance, social justice and prosperity

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15 Prime Minister Balendra Shah has extended greetings on the occasion of Chhath, reaffirming the government's commitment to protecting and promoting all religions, cultures and traditions. In a message issued on the occasion of the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, Shah described Chhath as a celebration of nature, faith and gratitude that offers a deeper lesson about respecting every stage of life. The prime minister said the festival is observed by worshipping the setting and rising sun with equal reverence while praying for the happiness, peace, health and longevity of family members. 'Both the setting sun and the rising sun are worshipped with equal respect. The festival teaches gratitude towards nature and respect for every phase of life,' he said. Shah also highlighted the traditional rituals observed throughout the festival, including ritual bathing and purification, the preparation of special offerings, and the presentation of arghya to the setting and rising sun at rivers, ponds and other water bodies. Expressing his best wishes to Nepalis at home and abroad, the prime minister said he hoped the festival would inspire people to work towards good governance, social justice and national prosperity. 'May the Chhath festival fill all of us with positive energy and inspire us to commit ourselves to good governance, social justice and prosperity,' he said. The prime minister also conveyed his greetings in the Maithili language, wishing happiness, peace and prosperity to all those celebrating the festival.