Chhath Puja celebrated with traditional fervour & joy in city
Thousands of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar gathered at various locations in Amritsar today to celebrate Chhath Puja, a vibrant festival. The festivities took place at various places, including the Durgiana Temple and the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC), where irrigation authorities released water to facilitate the rituals for the devotees who offered prayers and ‘arghya’ (water/milk offerings) to the setting sun, seeking blessings for the well-being and prosperity of families.
“Chhath Puja is a time for communal bonding and cultural expression,” said Amit Kumar, a devotee from Bihar. “We come together to worship the sun.” The celebrations, however, were marred by heavy traffic congestion due to poor traffic management on key routes such as the UBDC bridge, Vallah bypass, Tarran Wala pull and Sultanwind area.
“Chhath Puja is a symbol of our gratitude to the Chhath. We fast, pray and offer ‘arghya’ to seek his blessings for the happiness and good health of our families,” said Ganga Ram, another devotee from Uttar Pradesh.
Dinesh Bassi, former chairman of Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), joined the Chhath celebrations, extending heartfelt greetings to the people. He wished for the successful completion of the devotees’ fast. Bassi emphasised the importance of the festival, highlighting the significance of devotion, surrender, faith and reverence for the sun god. He stressed the need to respect nature, a vital part of Indian civilisation.
The two-day festival, which concludes on November 8, is an essential part of the cultural heritage of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. As the sun sets on Amritsar, the migrants look forward to the final day of Chhath Puja celebrations, Usha Arghya, when devotees will offer prayers to the rising sun, marking the conclusion of the festival.
