Chhath celebrations in Janakpur [In Pictures]

JANAKPURDHAM: The main day of the Chhath festival, observed on Kartik Shukla Shashti – the sixth day of the bright lunar fortnight of the moon, is being celebrated across the country on Monday evening with devotees offering Argha (offering of water) to the setting sun.

According to tradition, devotees who observe a day-long fast without water after taking a ritual bath in the morning will make offerings to the setting sun in the evening.

The four-day festival, dedicated to the worship and adoration of the Sun God, began on Saturday. It ends with the devotees offering Argha to the rising sun on Tuesday.

As mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata, Draupadi and the five Pandavas worshipped the Sun God during their exile. It is believed that the tradition of observing Chhath began during that time when the Pandavas were staying in the court of King Birata.

According to folklore, the custom has continued ever since. Today, the festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Janakpur and other parts of the country, with devotees gathering along rivers and ponds from early morning to perform prayers and rituals.

In Kathmandu Valley, Chhath is being celebrated on the banks of holy rivers, including Bagmati, and water bodies like Kamalpokhari.