Prime Minister Modi Extends Warm Wishes on Chhath Puja
As the Chhath Puja festivities concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to the citizens. He expressed that the four-day rituals of Mahaparv Chhath would invigorate the people with new energy and enthusiasm. PM Modi shared his thoughts on X, highlighting the cultural and natural beauty of the festival.
Devotees across India offered ‘Arghya’ to the rising Sun, gathering at riverbanks and ghats. After the holy offering, prayers were made to ‘Chhatti Maiya’ for the protection and happiness of families. In the national capital, devotees gathered at a ghat in ITO, while in Noida, they assembled at Sector 21 stadium.
Chhath Puja, a four-day festival, is celebrated to honor the Sun God. It involves 36-hour fasting and various rituals. The festival is primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, parts of Nepal, and by diaspora communities from these regions.
Doubts Revealed
Prime Minister Modi -: Prime Minister Modi refers to Narendra Modi, who is the current Prime Minister of India. He is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been serving as Prime Minister since 2014.
Chhath Puja -: Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It is celebrated mainly in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and also in Nepal. The festival involves rituals like fasting, offering prayers, and giving ‘Arghya’ to the Sun.
Arghya -: Arghya is a ritual offering made to the Sun God during Chhath Puja. Devotees offer water, milk, and flowers to the rising and setting sun as a form of respect and gratitude.
Ghats -: Ghats are steps leading down to a river, often used for bathing and religious rituals. During Chhath Puja, people gather at these ghats to perform the rituals and offer prayers to the Sun God.
Diaspora communities -: Diaspora communities refer to people from India who live in other countries but still celebrate Indian festivals and traditions. They maintain their cultural practices even while living abroad.
