Chath was celebrated in PH4 lawns. Residents including Kanchana (PH4) were seen praying to Chhathi Maiya.
The sun god Surya is worshipped in Chhath Puja to thank the sun during the Dakshiyana period, six days after Diwali. Chhathi Maiya, the sister of Lord Surya, is also worshipped in this puja.
This four-day festival is marked by Vrat (fasting), bathing in a river and offering arghya (libation of water) to Surya at sunrise and sunset.
On the first day, devotees prepare a simple dish made with lentils and bottle gourd. On the following day, they do not consume anything including water. In the evening, they eat a jaggery-based kheer. On the third day, families prepare Thekua, a sweet as well as savoury snack, Tikri, Khajuria, etc. They go to a riverside, stream, pond or lake and offer Gangajal as Arghya to Surya and Chhathi Maiya. At night, they sing Chhath songs and read the Vrat Katha.
On the last day, they go to the riverside before sunrise and offer Arghya and prayers to the sun, seeking protection and happiness of the family. After the puja, they break their fast by partaking of water and some Prasad.
