Thousands of devotees gathered at ghats across the city on Monday evening to celebrate Chhath Puja, the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun god that will conclude on Tuesday. The Delhi government had set up 1,300 ghats, including 17 along the Yamuna river, and artificial ponds this year to accommodate the large number of devotees.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who participated in the ‘Sandhya Arghya’ as part of the festivities at Sonia Vihar Pusta, said, “This splendour, grandness, and divinity of Chhath being celebrated now is providing succour to the people of Delhi. I pray to Chhathi Maiya for the prosperity and happiness of Delhi.”
The festival is predominantly celebrated by Purvanchalis, residents of the city hailing from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Jharkhand. The community, estimated to comprise over 30% of Delhi’s electorate, plays a crucial role in deciding the fate of elections. Both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP had wooed the community in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly election in February this year.
A large turnout at a ghat near ITO, in New Delhi on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in Chhath Puja prayers on Tuesday morning at Vasudev Ghat in north Delhi. A pool of water, separate from the main course of the river, has been created at the ghat for Mr. Modi’s visit.
AAP criticised the government for keeping liquor shops open during the festival, calling it an “insult to Purvanchali faith and true Sanatana values”. The party also targeted the BJP for creating a “fake” Yamuna filled with purified water for the PM’s visit.
As per Central Water Commission (CWC) data, the Haryana government from October 21 released almost the entire water from Hathnikund Barrage into the Yamuna in an unprecedented move, which improved the water quality in the Delhi stretch of the river. However, no water was released to the eastern and western Yamuna canals, used for irrigation in U.P. and Haryana.
With Chhath celebrations coming to a close on Tuesday morning, the Haryana government from Sunday evening has been gradually reducing the release of water into the Yamuna, according to CWC data. It takes about 36 to 72 hours for water released from Hathnikund Barrage to reach the Capital.
At a ghat near ITO, thousands of people queued up for festivities that included cultural events, music, and bursting of firecrackers.
‘Water quality better’
Several devotees came with mats and blankets to stay overnight and offer prayers on Tuesday morning. Most of them said they were happy with the preparations this time and the quality of water was better.
“The water is very good this time,” said Mukesh Malhotra, a 32-year-old autorickshaw driver who hails from Champaran in Bihar. “Earlier, it used to be black water. Also, this year, there are almost double the number of people than last year here.”
Meanwhile, a temporary pool was set up at Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh’s official residence for devotees from nearby areas to offer prayers.