President inaugurates Chhath celebrations at Guheshwari

KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel offered prayers at the statue of goddess Chhathi Maiya and arghya to the setting sun on the Bagmati riverbanks at Guheshwari, Kathmandu, on the occasion of the Chhath festival on Sunday evening.

Accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, President Paudel visited the Chhath Puja site, offered prayers to the statue of Chhathi Maiya and inaugurated the festival in the Gaurighat area.

Following the inauguration, devotees worshipped Chhathi Maiya and offered arghya to the setting sun.

National Assembly member Bishnu Devi Pudasaini, Pukar Bam, a member of the House of Representatives from Kathmandu-4, officials and members of the Pashupati Area Development Trust, and representatives of the Chhath Puja Committee and Guhyeshwari, welcomed the President.

On the third and main day of the four-day festival, devotees offered prayers and arghya to the setting sun on Sunday evening. They will remain awake at the site throughout the night. The festival will conclude on Monday morning, when devotees offer arghya to the rising sun.

Thousands of devotees have gathered in the Pashupati area to observe the festival, according to Anil Singh, Chairperson of the Chhath Puja Committee, Guhyeshwari.

Devotees believe that observing the Chhath fast brings relief from suffering and poverty. They also believe that offering bunches of fruit pleases the Sun God and brings well-being to the devotees’ families and children.