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From Patna and Haridwar to Lucknow and Hyderabad, devotees observed the sacred rituals with traditional offerings, prayers and devotional songs, celebrating the four-day festival dedicated to Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.
In Patna, Bihar, thousands of devotees thronged various Chhath ghats to perform the evening rituals. Families gathered along riverbanks and water bodies, carrying traditional offerings in bamboo baskets and offering prayers to the setting Sun.
The Patna district administration made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of the festival. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with other emergency response teams, were deployed at strategic locations to deal with any unforeseen situation.
Adequate security arrangements, safety measures and essential facilities were also put in place at the ghats. The administration maintained close surveillance to ensure that devotees could perform the rituals safely and without inconvenience.
Actress Akshara Singh also joined the celebrations in Patna and was seen arriving at a ghat to offer prayers on the occasion.
Expressing her happiness after performing the evening rituals, she said, "Right now, we're just finishing up the evening prayers and heading home. I am feeling really good, and this feeling is just beyond this world. This feeling is incomparable; we should take everyone and all our traditions and prayers along."
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who was also present in Patna, highlighted the importance of Chhath Puja in strengthening family bonds and bringing people together.
"Chhath always brings joy, and it keeps the family united. We all come together to prepare for the festival. During these four days, no matter how busy I may be with party, ministerial, or governmental responsibilities, I make a conscious effort to dedicate the majority of my time to my family and loved ones," he said.
Emphasising the personal and spiritual significance of the festival, Paswan said his faith in Chhathi Maiya had remained unwavering through the various ups and downs of life.
He also reiterated his vision of a developed Bihar, highlighting his commitment to the philosophy of 'Bihar First, Bihari First'.
Meanwhile, in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, devotees gathered in large numbers at the iconic Har Ki Pauri to offer Arghya to the setting Sun. The riverfront witnessed scenes of devotion as people performed the traditional rituals and offered prayers amid a festive atmosphere.
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, devotees from the Purvanchal community celebrated the festival along the banks of the Gomti River. The riverfront witnessed a large gathering of worshippers, many of whom have been observing Chhath Puja in the city for several years.
Speaking on the occasion, a participant said that this was perhaps his 15th or 16th visit to the grand Chhath celebrations organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Bhojpuri Samaj.
He observed that although Lucknow belongs to the Awadh region, the sizeable Purvanchal population in the city has made it possible for people to celebrate Chhath locally rather than travelling to their native places.
"The Gomti River transforms into the Ganges for them," he said, describing the emotional and spiritual connection devotees share with the festival.
He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the celebrations in the presence of the Chief Minister, adding that performances during Chhath should reflect devotion rather than merely entertain a gathering.
The third day of Chhath Puja, marked by Sandhya Arghya, is one of the most significant occasions of the festival. The celebrations will conclude on Sunday morning with Usha Arghya, when devotees will offer prayers to the rising Sun before breaking their 36-hour fast.
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