Purvanchalis don’t have to leave city to celebrate, says Delhi CM Atishi
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday said that due to the efforts put in by the AAP-led Delhi Government, Purvanchali people did not have to leave the city for celebrating Chhath Pooja.
“No Purvanchali in Delhi will have to travel more than 1-2 kilometers to celebrate Chhath Mahaparv,” Atishi further said.
Atishi added that prior to 2014, Delhi only had 60 ghats designated for the festival and now, with over 1000 Chhath ghats, Purvanchali residents can celebrate the festival in Delhi itself.
Writing on X, AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal praised the Delhi Government for creating a total of 1,000 Ghats for the rituals. “As Chhath Mahaparva begins with ‘Nahay Khaye’ today, Delhi government has constructed more than 1000 magnificent Chhath Ghats so all devotees can worship near their homes,” he wrote.
This year, the government has also declared November 7, the day of the Sandhya Arghya (evening offering), a public holiday in Delhi.
Various departments have been mobilised for support, artificial ghats are being prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, while the Delhi Jal Board is responsible for water arrangements.
The Health Department has stationed doctors and nurses at major ghats and the Revenue Department is handling tents, lighting, and sound. The Maithili-Bhojpuri Academy is holding cultural programmess at larger ghats to add to the festivities.
